When it was released towards the end of 2020, PlayStation 5 had a massive impact on the landscape of the video game industry. The console was hugely popular, with Sony stating that it was the largest launch in PlayStation history. With millions of units sold already, the newest PlayStation became one of the fastest-selling consoles ever. Along with the platform’s popularity, a strong showing of games accompanied thePlayStation 5’s launch ranging fromNo Man’s Sky: The Next GenerationtoMarvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. In addition to these games, a handful of sequels later found their way onto the PlayStation 5 and added to the console.
With games likeHorizon Forbidden WestandRatchet & Clank: Rift Apartalready on the PlayStation 5, the upcomingGod of War Ragnarokhas a lot to live up to when it joins the growing list of well-received PlayStation 5 sequels later this year. The pressure has also been piled on the yet-to-be-released follow-up to 2018’sGod of Warwith accolades like Most Anticipated Game awarded at the 2020 Golden Joystick Awards.God of War Ragnaroknot only has to battle fan expectations, but also the competition of sequels that have been released on PlayStation 5 and set the standard for titles on the current-gen console.
RELATED:Comparing Horizon Forbidden West and Red Dead Redemption 2’s Open-World Design
PlayStation 5’s Group Of Great Sequels
Whenever a new console generation launches, it offers opportunities for developers to really push platforms to their limits. With the chance to create both better-looking and better-performing games, new consoles usually mean more impressive titles. There is the inevitable wave of remasters and games utilizing backwards compatibility to make themselves accessible to owners of the new console, as well as games that help bridge the gap between old gen and new with versions on both. Sequels often serve this function, providing players with something new while at the same time having ties to the familiar, much likeInsomniac Games’Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.
The third-person shooter platform game was the sixteenth installment in thehugely popularRatchet & Clankseries, and gave players the chance to blast their way through the galaxy and jump through dimensional rifts as they navigated the rambunctious adventure. As well as being a well-designed, reliably humorous, and surprisingly emotional game,Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apartwas a worthy sequel and helped to show off the best of what the PlayStation 5 has to offer. With impressively detailed visuals and the ability to instantly shift from one dimension to another with minimal loading,Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apartblew a lot of recent titles out of the water.
Another sequel that has been released on PlayStation 5 to critical acclaim is Guerilla Games’post-apocalyptic action RPGHorizon Forbidden West. WhenHorizon Zero Dawnwas released in 2017, the brand-new IP impressed players with its original setting and story, as well as its inventive approach to combat. The sequel was highly anticipated by fans, as hunter Aloy returned to explore a new hostile frontier known in-game as the “Forbidden West.” The game’s open-world and new underwater sections effectively showed off the power of the PlayStation 5, as well asHorizon Forbidden West’s Decima engine.
The recently releasedDying Light 2: Stay Humanis another game that made use of the PlayStation 5’s power to showcase its dense and expansive setting. WhileDying Light 2: Stay Human’s voice acting and writing may have faced some criticism, the impressively-realized setting and enjoyably dynamic parkour helped to elevate the game. This addedDying Light 2: Stay Humanto the list of sequels on PlayStation 5that have been instrumental in highlighting the potential of next-gen, as well as creating a growing group of great games available on the popular console.
RELATED:God of War: Comparing Kratos' Original Design to How He Looks in Ragnarok
The Pressure On God Of War Ragnarok
God of War, the eighth installment in the franchise, signaled a departure for the series and a shift away from Greek mythology to Norse. Along with the change in focus and aesthetic, 2018’sGod of Warintroduced new elements to the overarching story, gameplay mechanics, andcharacterization of series protagonist Kratos. All of these updates were definitely for the better, and the game was universally praised as a memorable new addition to the franchise.God of War’s follow-up, therefore, has already faced a good deal of scrutiny despite not yet being released.
First announced in 2020, fans have been eagerly awaiting the launch ofGod of War Ragnarokand the continuation of the touching andnuanced story between Kratos and his son Atreus. Undoubtedly one of this year’s most anticipated games,God of War Ragnarokhas a lot to live up to: Not just the incredible precedent set by the previous installment, but also the slew of amazing titles — a lot of them sequels themselves — already released on the PlayStation 5. Fans are expecting a gorgeous-looking game at the very least, and titles likeRatchet & Clank: Rift ApartandHorizon Forbidden Westhave already shown what’s possible on current-gen consoles.
The emotive expressions andincredible facial animations inRatchet & Clank: Rift Apartin particular would help to convey the weight ofGod of War Ragnarok’s story if the upcoming game can emulate its complexity. WithGod of War Ragnarokexploring Atreus' true identity and his struggles over his heritage and purpose, realistic facial animations would be an important feather in the game’s cap and would work well in conjunction with the same level of excellent writing as seen in the previous game.
Traversing the nine realms that are just emerging from the grips of the long Fimbulwinter givesGod of War Ragnarokthe chance to show off some of its incredible regions through the power of the PlayStation 5. It has the chance to matchHorizon Forbidden West’s gorgeously diverse locationsand give players a world full of mythological beasts, ancient beings, and environmental challenges that could top anything from the previous game. While expectationsmay be incredibly high, previously released sequels on the PlayStation 5 have shown thatGod of War Ragnarokhas a good chance of delivering on everything that fans might want, and hopefully the game will be the best yet in the series to date.
God of War Ragnarokis scheduled to release in 2022 on PS4 and PS5.
