How Long Does It Take to Beat God of War Ragnarok – God of War Ragnarok, one of the most anticipated games of recent years, brings players back into the life of Kratos and his son Atreus as they face the impending apocalyptic events of Norse mythology. Whether you’re a returning fan eager to dive back into their story or a newcomer wanting to experience the epic journey, knowing the estimated time to beat the game is helpful. In this guide, we’ll discuss the average playtimes based on different playstyles, what factors affect completion time, and how long it might take if you’re aiming for 100% completion.

Main Story: How Long to Complete the Core Journey?

If you’re primarily focused on God of War Ragnarok’s main storyline, you can expect a playtime of around 20-25 hours. This estimate is based on a typical playthrough, where players engage with the central narrative, follow essential quests, and fight through main battles without diverting too much to side activities.

The core storyline takes players through a rich narrative, filled with well-paced action, cutscenes, and intense battles with mythical Norse creatures. However, this estimated time can vary depending on the difficulty level chosen. Here’s a breakdown of how the difficulty impacts playtime:

• Easy/Story Mode: Around 20 hours.
• Normal Mode: Around 22-25 hours.
• Hard Mode: Potentially closer to 30 hours, as battles require more careful planning and strategy.

Players on higher difficulty levels may find themselves spending extra time on challenging boss fights, which can increase the total hours slightly.

Side Quests and Exploration: Adding Depth to Your Playthrough

God of War Ragnarok offers far more than just a linear storyline. The game encourages players to explore vast realms, interact with characters, and uncover hidden stories and treasures. Side quests, often referred to as Favors in the game, add depth to the world, allowing players to experience more of the Norse mythos and the personal stories of other characters.

• Time Estimate for Main Story + Side Quests:
• Main Story + Key Side Quests: 35-40 hours
• Thorough Exploration: Closer to 45 hours

These side quests often present their own challenges, unique boss encounters, and offer rewards like powerful gear, making them well worth the time investment. Completing a selection of side quests while focusing on the main story gives players a richer experience without drastically increasing playtime.

Going for 100% Completion: How Long for a Completionist Run?

For those aiming to achieve everything God of War Ragnarok has to offer, including every side quest, collectible, and hidden secret, the playtime increases significantly. Reaching 100% completion can take between 50-60 hours or more, depending on how efficiently you tackle various challenges and hidden tasks.

Here’s what you can expect when going for full completion:

• Collectibles: Throughout the game, there are several collectibles, such as lore stones, artifacts, ravens, and Nornir chests that require puzzle-solving skills.
• Favors (Side Quests): Completing all side quests adds more time, as many of them involve exploration, solving environmental puzzles, and intense battles.
• Nornir Chests: These chests contain health and rage upgrades and often require unique puzzles to be unlocked.
• Hidden Bosses and Valkyries: While not part of the main storyline, players can face challenging bosses that require strategy and patience. These encounters can add significant time, especially for players on higher difficulty settings.

A 100% completion run is perfect for players who want to immerse themselves entirely in the game world and see every part of the story, side content, and hidden challenges. For completionists, the extended playtime offers plenty of added value and in-depth exploration.

Factors Affecting Playtime

There are several variables that can impact how long God of War Ragnarok takes to beat, from the difficulty setting to personal playstyle. Let’s look at some of these factors:

1. Difficulty Level

As noted earlier, difficulty affects playtime considerably. Higher difficulty settings increase the challenge of each battle, which can result in more time spent learning enemy patterns and retrying fights.

2. Playstyle

Players who prefer a straightforward approach and focus primarily on the main quests will finish faster than those who like to explore every corner and take on every side quest.

3. Experience with Previous God of War Games

Familiarity with God of War mechanics can shorten playtime, as experienced players will adapt quickly to combat styles and be better prepared for specific challenges. Newcomers, however, may take additional time to learn the game’s mechanics, parrying techniques, and environmental puzzle-solving.

4. Exploration and Puzzle-Solving

God of War Ragnarok is filled with puzzles and hidden pathways. Players who enjoy solving these puzzles will take longer but gain a deeper understanding of the world and lore.

5. In-Game Choices and NPC Interactions

Some players may spend more time on NPC dialogue and interaction to uncover lore or gather extra details about the game’s world, which adds to the total playtime.

Post-Game Content and Replay Value

After completing the main story, God of War Ragnarok provides additional content for players who wish to continue exploring and uncovering secrets. The game’s post-game activities include:

• New Game Plus Mode: Many players enjoy revisiting the game with their previously earned gear and abilities, taking on challenges with a fresh perspective.
• Secret Areas and Collectibles: Some areas unlock after the story concludes, allowing for further exploration and collecting any missed items.
• Higher Difficulty Challenges: For those who completed the game on a lower difficulty, replaying on a higher setting can provide a fresh, challenging experience.

For players interested in post-game content, expect additional hours to be added to your playtime as you tackle new challenges or collect missed items.

Balancing Enjoyment and Playtime

God of War Ragnarok is designed to provide a flexible experience. Whether you’re a player who prefers a streamlined story, one who enjoys side quests, or a completionist, there’s plenty of content to enjoy at your own pace. Remember, the estimated playtimes are only guidelines; the real joy comes from engaging with the game at a pace that feels right for you.

If you’re trying to enjoy the game without getting too bogged down, consider focusing on the main quests during your first playthrough and returning to side quests in a New Game Plus run or after completing the main story. This way, you’ll have a complete experience without feeling pressured to explore every area immediately.

Final Thoughts

With a rich narrative, thrilling combat, and beautifully designed realms, God of War Ragnarok offers a playtime that can adapt to different player preferences. The core storyline can be completed in roughly 20-25 hours, while diving into side quests can extend the game to around 35-40 hours. For completionists aiming for 100% achievements, expect an extensive 50-60 hours or more.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Kratos or new to his story, God of War Ragnarok provides a gaming experience that’s immersive, challenging, and unforgettable. So prepare yourself for an epic journey, one that’s well worth the time investment, and enjoy every minute as you fight to stop Ragnarok.