Gaming

God of War Ragnarok Review

A journey of EPIC proportions

Published

November 4, 2022

Rodneil Quiteles

God of War Ragnarok is epic. It lives up to the hype and is an absolute masterpiece.

Everything we mentioned in the Early Impressions article pretty much held through and only kicked up a few notches higher as the game progressed. That said, it is incredibly hard to review the game while completely dancing around the spoilers. Regardless, that’s what this review will try to accomplish.

If you want to go in completely blind, just know that you’re in for one of the best gaming experiences ever. As God of War Ragnarok is a masterclass in gameplay, combat, writing, and overall presentation. Again, we will certainly not spoil any big story moments, but if you feel that learning anything at all about how the game plays might be a spoiler then this is your warning.

Play the first game

I know we said you can just rely on YouTube for the recap. But you’ll have a better level of appreciation for Ragnarok if you labor through the first game. Everything from how things are presented, how puzzles and combat work, and how the story progresses just feels more satisfying if you do so.

Deep and satisfying combat

The biggest change that Sony Santa Monica Studios made with God of War 2018 was how it was presented which affected the combat heavily. Gone is the fixed camera with a wide angle view. In its stead, is the more modern, more intimate over the shoulder shot. Putting you right in the thick of the action.

That was a huge gamble at the time. But one that paid off. Because the combat was in line with the story being told. Much of the same is true for Ragnarok. The kills are all still quite graphic with you feeling the weight of every hit.

WARNING: VIDEO BELOW IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART

The studio did not reinvent the wheel here. They didn’t need to. As you may have seen in the early impressions in trailers, the biggest addition to combat is the sense of verticality. Kratos can now grapple, to higher platforms adding a new dynamic to how you’ll execute your enemies.

Speaking of enemies, there’s a greater variety of enemy-types. And these aren’t just re-skinned versions of ones you encountered earlier. The enemies will also force you to learn the various skills and techniques at your disposal.

The Weapons

You still have the Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos, Shield, and your bare hands at your disposal. The Axe and Blades have a sort of power up now. For the Axe, you can press the triangle button to imbue ice which adds Frost status to your attacks. Meanwhile, the Blades can be swung by pressing triangle again multiple times adding Burn status to your attacks.

The Shield has variety too. Developers have revealed that you’ll have a selection of Shields at your disposal. Other than the one you used in the first game you’ll have a choice of a Shield that prioritizes parrying, and another that absorbs attacks and then disperses it — similar to how Black Panther’s armor worked in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Armor and play style

You’ll also have your choice of armor that will certainly affect your play style. Personally, I’m pretty bad at parrying and sometimes forget to block and/or dodge. That’s why I went with a high-defense build.

But if you’re skilled enough, a build that prioritizes strength and parrying might be the most rewarding animation-wise. There will be plenty of options even at the early hours of the game. So, you can definitely have a pick of armor that will fit your play style.

Atreus now more experienced

Like usual, you’ll have Atreus by your side as you combat enemies. Now a more seasoned fighter, Kratos’ son has more melee attacks at his disposal in addition to his bow abilities.

You’ll also be able to do more with him as his skills have expanded.

Some enemies will even force you to use Atreus in battle. That’s how deep the combat in God of War Ragnarok is. It’ll challenge you to use nearly every skill and weapon at your disposal.

Environmental puzzles

Much like the first game, Ragnarok is littered with environmental puzzles that present a different challenge. You’ll also be forced to use a combination of old and new abilities to complete them.

One new thing they added is the ability to yank certain obstacles with the help of the Blades of Chaos. Some puzzles will also require you slay enemies first. While others will have you moving from one area to another first before completely being allowed to move forward.

These are all fun and present a decent challenge without slowing down the game much. They’re a nice break from the beat-to-beat story and combat that you’ll be faced with as you go along on this journey.

Writing, storytelling, and dialogue

What elevates and connects everything together is the phenomenal writing of the game. Everything from how scenes transition to one another, to the witty banters in-between, as well as the dialogue in cutscenes just flow and work seamlessly together to tell this massive, epic story.

The Dynamic between Kratos and Atreus has evolved just as the boy has essentially grown into a young teenager – one that’s eager to know more about his origins as well as the prophecy that was revealed to them at the end of the first game. Atreus wants to push forward while Kratos — old, tired, and battered — wants to keep the status quo if it means keeping his son safe.

While the story certainly still anchors on the relationship between the father and son, how they relate with both the returning and new characters also play a huge part. The Dwarf brothers Brok and Sindri return to support the father and son. And as seen on the trailers, Freya is out for revenge against Kratos.

New characters

Of the new characters showcased though, my personal favorite is the All-Father himself — Odin. Up to this point, we’ve only heard about stories of how absolutely horrible he is as god. But his demeanor, especially towards Atreus, might make you think otherwise.

Another new character which has interesting interactions with Atreus is Angrboda. There’s this undeniable chemistry between the two and it’s amusing to see it play out.

The performances also take the writing to another level. The voice acting is superb and is helped by how each character model is animated. You get as much information with words both spoken and otherwise.

The news that God of War is getting an Amazon Prime Video series is a welcome one. If the show’s writers can capture the same magic and wonder of these last two games, then we’re all in for a treat.

Overall presentation

Ragnarok carries over the one-shot approach from the first game. Although, I have to admit, while this early access we got is pretty excellent as it is, some lag was apparent especially during the latter part of the game. But this is pretty understandable as this Ragnarok is packed to the brim with many quests and collectibles.

We also have to take into account that the studio wanted to make sure this game is playable on the PS4. On that note, the game doesn’t take full advantage of the DualSense controller. It’s mostly as an add-on and doesn’t feel like necessary implementations the way Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Returnal did it.

You do get multiple graphical options. One that prioritizes resolution and another that focuses on framerate. For my playthrough, I selected the resolution priority, but because the TV I use (the LG C2) has gaming-specific features, I was constantly getting around 119 to 120 fps.

The accessibility options have also been expanded. The studio made sure that the game will be enjoyed even by those with physical disabilities.

An epic experience

God of War Ragnarok takes everything good from the first game and cranks it up a few notches. You can expect the same level of excellence in gameplay, story, and presentation but all improved and expanded to deliver a gaming experience that’s nearly generation-defining.

This is one of those games that you have to play, you have to immerse yourself in, no matter what. That’s how excellent it is.

God of War Ragnarok will launch on November 9 for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

Related Topics:God of War God of War: Ragnarok PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 PS4 PS5 Ragnarok

Gaming

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade free demo released

For Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox

Published

December 18, 2025

GadgetMatch

Square Enix has released a free demo for Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade which is launching on January 22, 2026.

The demo is available on Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox on PC. Players can carry their save data from the demo period over to the full game and claim the bonus items “Revival Earrings” and “Survival Set” in the process.

In addition, the game has Xbox Play Anywhere support. This means players can enjoy seamless progression across console and PC platforms.

Switch 2 users can enter the following codes to download the demo via the “Redeem Code” option on the Nintendo e-Shop:

United States: D3GM3304HKQBB2VB
Europe: D3GM3304HKPBB2VB
Japan: D3GM3304H3DBB2VB
Korea: D3GM3304H3CBB2VB
Hong Kong and Taiwan: D3GM3304H3BBB2VB
Southeast Asia: D3GM3304HY9BB2VB

Meanwhile, the free demo for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox for PC is available via this link.

Aside from the aforementioned platforms, the visually enhanced and expanded version of the original 2020 remake is already available on PlayStation 5, Steam, and Epic games.

What players can expect

In the demo, players can experience the game’s iconic opening chapter, in which the mercenary Cloud Strife and the underground resistance group Avalanche attempt to destroy a Mako Reactor powering the dystopian city of Midgar.

In their fight against the Shinra Electric Power Company, Cloud and his comrades are thrust into a larger conflict that will decide the fate of the planet.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade features improved graphics and performance. Aside from that, the game includes FF7R EPISODE INTERmission.

This exciting additional story features fan-favorite ninja Yuffie Kisaragi as she embarks on a thrilling new adventure.

Players can expect expanded gameplay mechanics, refined combat systems, and immersive storytelling that deepens the lore of Midgar.

Square Enix has also released a new One-Winged Angel trailer:

Gaming

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro might be the comfiest headphones I’ve tried

The memory foam cushioning is divine.

Published

December 17, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Despite being a self-professed audiophile, I have always had a problem with wearing headphones the whole day. Sooner or later, the weight just becomes too much. So, when I saw the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro with its thick cushioning, it was love at first sight.

But will that love last?

Lookin’ like a succulent pork belly

Obviously, I’m exaggerating, but the head strap really does look like a pork belly because of how thick it is. And that’s not a complaint, either.

The BlackShark V3 Pro has one of the most comfortable cushioning I’ve ever experienced from a pair of headphones. Plus, both the head strap and the earcups use memory foam, so it feels like new every single time.

Over time, I can barely feel the headphones bearing down on the top of my head because of the thick cushioning. I lasted more than five hours before I felt anything. Even after taking it off for a spell, I was ready to get back into the game. For me, that’s an absurdly good record.

The earcups, on the other hand, fit perfectly. For reference, I have an average ear size. A lot of headphones I’ve tried often leave my ears in pain from all the flexing, but the BlackShark’s fit is just right.

A minimalist but elegant design

Besides the nice cushioning, the rest of the headphones exude that elegant look you might expect from more premium headphones. Except for incredibly subtle Razer branding and a thin ring of lime green around the mic button, there’s nothing to indicate that this is a pro gaming headset.

The earcups are connected to the strap via thin metal arms and a braided cable. The same arms offer 15-degree maneuverability to ensure the most comfortable fit.

Unfortunately, they don’t fold, so it’s harder to take these headphones outside. It’s a slight wrinkle in an otherwise stellar design.

Going back to analog

A lot of headphones today prefer using gesture controls over actual buttons and knobs. Getting rid of buttons does help make designs look sleeker. However, it comes with the added frustration of fiddling around with often-finicky gestures.

Thankfully, the BlackShark V3 Pro has a wealth of buttons and knobs for, in my opinion, easier control. This also lends to its credence as a gaming peripheral. When I’m in the zone, I don’t want to mess around with gestures that might not even work.

The left cup has a dedicated power button, a microphone button, a USB-C slot, and a 3.5mm port (for both input and output). It also has a nifty knob for volume control.

Meanwhile, the right cup has an equalizer button, a noise cancelling button, and a dial to adjust the ANC levels. There’s also audio feedback that lets you know exactly what you’ve pressed.

I love this layout. Though you can argue that all these buttons seem like overkill, there’s just something about manually pressing buttons and turning knobs, especially when you’re focused on gaming. It’s like a palpable feeling of turning it to 11 that you just don’t get with gesture controls.

Premium for gaming, a step less for everything else

The BlackShark V3 Pro is a bass-leaning headset. That’s pretty much what you’d expect from a gaming-focused device. A premium on bass helps you feel the immersive thump of gunshots, explosions, and even simple footsteps.

Personally, I don’t prefer bass-heavy devices. However, this pair refreshingly does not tear with high bass level. It offers a pretty rich output for the deeper end of the audio spectrum. An extensive listening session of metal created thrumming breakdowns and heavy drum solos.

However, there’s a clear step down when it comes to treble. It’s only one step down, though, because I can hear that these cans are capable of impressive treble. However, the focus on bass can drown out the other end. I’ve tried adjusting the equalizer, but it made too little difference to elevate the experience for audiophiles.

Additionally, the soundstage feels more centered than immersive. This pair isn’t what I’d pick for long listening sessions. Then again, this wasn’t made for that. This shines more brightly for gamers.

With THX Spatial Audio, these headphones feel more alive during FPS gaming sessions. Another audio enhancement can amplify footsteps, too. The audio adjustment feels weird at first, but it does give a competitive edge for shooters. It’s also compatible with a few other games, including Civilization VII, which gave a pleasant auditory experience.

A much better mic than I expected

The BlackShark V3 Pro comes with a detachable microphone you can snap on to the 3.55mm port. As a pro gaming peripheral, the attachment is expected but not even necessary for a headset of this caliber already.

It’s a fairly decent, well-thought-of accessory. The audio input was, according to people I played with, clear for in-game comms.

Even better, the Razer Synapse app comes with its own equalizer just for the mic. If you need more control over how you want your voice to be broadcast, these headphones give a surprising level of customization. Being easily accessible through the app is a huge plus, too.

In terms of quality, I might still default to a dedicated external mic. However, if you don’t have one, Razer’s premium pair is a great alternative.

Battery good enough for almost two weeks

Razer promises that the BlackShark V3 Pro can last around 70 hours on a single charge. This is a fairly accurate prediction which aligned with how I used the headphones.

As I mentioned, I can withstand around five hours straight of using the headphones. By the end of the first week, I still had a lot of juice. And if I didn’t push it to my absolute limit, I could make this last even longer than two weeks.

Ultimately, the battery’s life depends on how you use the headphones, which differ greatly from person to person. And, at the end of the day, I had no problems with keeping the headphones connected to the long and braided wire.

Is the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro your GadgetMatch?

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is one of the most comfortable pair of headphones I’ve ever tried. It’s also a premium gaming peripheral that reflects its price point well at US$ 249.99.

Sure, you won’t get a pair of headphones worthy for an audiophile, which makes this a Swipe Left if you are. But as a gamer, these are more than what you need, which makes it a hardy Swipe Right.

As someone who’s both, I’d still give this a Swipe Right. My audiophile side already has a more balanced alternatives, after all. But the BlackShark V3 Pro is excellent as a tough-as-nails daily driver.

Gaming

Silksong is getting its first major expansion next year

The expansion is called Sea of Sorrow.

Published

December 16, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

I still can’t believe that Hollow Knight: Silksong came out this year. After years of just waiting for the mythical title, it’s surreal to have it in my library. Now, barely waiting to catch their breath, Team Cherry is already working hard towards the next content drop, starting with Silksong DLC.

Just like the original Hollow Knight, Silksong is getting free DLCs to expand its story. The upcoming Sea of Sorrow DLC will be the game’s “first big expansion.”

The expansion’s trailer barely shows anything about the new content, besides vague allusions to what’s coming. At the very least, Team Cherry has confirmed, both via the announcement and the accompanying poster, that Sea of Sorrow will be nautical-themed.

It will feature new locations, new tools, and new enemies. By itself, Silksong is already a huge game. Adding more content then is a massive undertaking. Plus, Team Cherry says that this is just the first expansion, hinting at more coming in the future.

Sea of Sorrow will launch in 2026.

Besides the new expansion, the studio is also working on a Nintendo Switch 2 update for the original Hollow Knight. It will add higher framerates, resolutions, and more graphical effects. PC players will also get some upgrades to support larger screens.

The Switch 2 update, which will be free for those who already own the original game, will also launch next year.