Surprisingly playable on the Steam Deck
By Paul Hunter
God of War Ragnarök has long been celebrated as one of the standout titles of the PlayStation 5 generation, captivating gamers with its blend of deep storytelling, intense combat, and stunning visuals. Now, with its release on PC, including the Steam Deck, a whole new audience has the chance to experience Kratos’ latest journey. But with the shift to new platforms comes the challenge of delivering the same level of performance and immersion in a more compact form. The question on many gamers' minds is whether God of War Ragnarök can live up to its PS5 counterpart while running on the Steam Deck's more modest hardware.
After playing through the game on Steam Deck, my impressions are generally quite positive overall, with solid performance and customisation options that allow for a tailored experience. Still, some issues remain, particularly with the game’s internet connection startup requirement, which poses a hurdle for portable play. Despite these challenges, God of War Ragnarök on Steam Deck runs surprisingly well. Let's take a closer look!
God of War Ragnarök on Steam Deck marks a significant shift in the way we experience one of PlayStation’s most celebrated titles. While the game was initially designed for PS5, it now offers the opportunity for gamers to experience Kratos' intense journey in the palm of their hands, thanks to its release on PC. As Steam Deck owners eagerly anticipated, the question was whether God of War Ragnarök could retain the high level of performance and stunning visuals on such a compact, handheld device. From the moment you launch the game, it becomes clear that it’s not just playable—it’s surprisingly capable, although there are some necessary tweaks to get it running optimally.
The first hurdle to overcome is the installation and setup process. Upon booting up, you’ll need to link your PlayStation account, which requires a quick action in a web browser. While this is an extra step in the process, it’s not a dealbreaker, and once done, the game loads seamlessly. But it’s worth noting that this might feel like an unnecessary complication, especially when compared to the simplicity of other PC games on Steam Deck that don’t require this additional step.
Once in-game, the performance of God of War Ragnarök immediately impresses. The Steam Deck may not have the raw power of a high-end gaming PC, but it holds its own when it comes to maintaining a steady frame rate. Early encounters—such as battling foes in the Nordic realms or exploring intricate environments—run at around 30-40 FPS, with minimal dips in frame rate. The game remains playable, with no significant slowdowns during action-heavy moments. For gamers who prefer a more stable experience, the option to cap the frame rate to 30 FPS can help smooth things out. In general, Ragnarök’s combat and puzzle-solving mechanics, which are central to its design, don’t lose their flow on the Steam Deck, making the game’s core experience intact.
To get the most out of the experience, you’ll want to explore the variety of settings available for fine-tuning the visuals. Fortunately, God of War Ragnarök offers a robust array of customizations, from reflections and lighting to texture quality and shadow adjustments. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather an approach that allows for a tailored experience based on your preferences. The Steam Deck’s 800p resolution does hold back the graphical fidelity, but it does a good job of masking imperfections, particularly on the smaller screen. Even when adjusting textures to medium and scaling to balanced, the game still looks remarkably good. There is a noticeable difference between the low and medium settings, especially when it comes to the finer details, like the intricate character models and lush environments. The trade-off in performance is minimal, and for many, the results will be worth it.
Combat on the Steam Deck remains as satisfying as it is on any other platform. The game’s signature brutal combat system, involving Kratos’ axe and fists, feels responsive, even on a handheld device. The controls on the Steam Deck’s compact layout are surprisingly intuitive, though some gamers may need to adjust to the more condensed button configuration compared to playing with a full-sized controller. For those new to handheld gaming or the Steam Deck specifically, the controls may take a moment to get used to, but once accustomed, the gameplay flows without interruption.
The biggest issue that looms over the Steam Deck version of God of War Ragnarök is the game’s online check-in requirement. Without an internet connection, you’re effectively locked out of the experience, as the game requires an authentication check with Sony’s servers. In a world where gaming on the go is all about accessibility and flexibility, this feels like an unnecessary restriction. It is especially disappointing considering that God of War Ragnarök is a single-player game, which ideally should be available to play offline, especially in portable form.
Another downside is the Steam Deck’s battery life. While not unexpected, the game’s more demanding visuals and action-heavy sequences eat through the battery at a rapid pace. After a couple of hours, the device is already running low, making it clear that a portable charger is a must if you plan on playing away from a power source. While the Steam Deck is by no means a long-lasting handheld device when running graphically intense games, the short battery life does highlight the sacrifices that come with running God of War Ragnarök on a portable platform.
There are also occasional hiccups in performance, particularly in some of the game’s more cinematic moments. During cutscenes, the frame rate occasionally drops, sometimes even dipping into the 15-20 FPS range, which can be jarring given the otherwise stable gameplay. This happens sporadically and doesn’t occur throughout the entire game, but it’s worth noting as an issue that detracts from the otherwise polished experience.
Ultimately, while God of War Ragnarök on Steam Deck is a very playable experience, it does have its share of limitations. With some adjustments to settings, the game runs smoothly for the most part, but the online requirement and battery life are hurdles. However, there’s a lot of promise here for those who are willing to tweak settings for the best performance, God of War Ragnarök offers a solid, portable version of a true gaming juggernaut. For Steam Deck owners, Ragnarök delivers a worthwhile experience, even if it’s not perfect.
Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Developer: Santa Monica Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Action-Adventure
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
God of War Ragnarök has long been celebrated as one of the standout titles of the PlayStation 5 generation, captivating gamers with its blend of deep storytelling, intense combat, and stunning visuals. Now, with its release on PC, including the Steam Deck, a whole new audience has the chance to experience Kratos’ latest journey. But with the shift to new platforms comes the challenge of delivering the same level of performance and immersion in a more compact form. The question on many gamers' minds is whether God of War Ragnarök can live up to its PS5 counterpart while running on the Steam Deck's more modest hardware.
After playing through the game on Steam Deck, my impressions are generally quite positive overall, with solid performance and customisation options that allow for a tailored experience. Still, some issues remain, particularly with the game’s internet connection startup requirement, which poses a hurdle for portable play. Despite these challenges, God of War Ragnarök on Steam Deck runs surprisingly well. Let's take a closer look!
God of War Ragnarök on Steam Deck marks a significant shift in the way we experience one of PlayStation’s most celebrated titles. While the game was initially designed for PS5, it now offers the opportunity for gamers to experience Kratos' intense journey in the palm of their hands, thanks to its release on PC. As Steam Deck owners eagerly anticipated, the question was whether God of War Ragnarök could retain the high level of performance and stunning visuals on such a compact, handheld device. From the moment you launch the game, it becomes clear that it’s not just playable—it’s surprisingly capable, although there are some necessary tweaks to get it running optimally.
The first hurdle to overcome is the installation and setup process. Upon booting up, you’ll need to link your PlayStation account, which requires a quick action in a web browser. While this is an extra step in the process, it’s not a dealbreaker, and once done, the game loads seamlessly. But it’s worth noting that this might feel like an unnecessary complication, especially when compared to the simplicity of other PC games on Steam Deck that don’t require this additional step.
Once in-game, the performance of God of War Ragnarök immediately impresses. The Steam Deck may not have the raw power of a high-end gaming PC, but it holds its own when it comes to maintaining a steady frame rate. Early encounters—such as battling foes in the Nordic realms or exploring intricate environments—run at around 30-40 FPS, with minimal dips in frame rate. The game remains playable, with no significant slowdowns during action-heavy moments. For gamers who prefer a more stable experience, the option to cap the frame rate to 30 FPS can help smooth things out. In general, Ragnarök’s combat and puzzle-solving mechanics, which are central to its design, don’t lose their flow on the Steam Deck, making the game’s core experience intact.
To get the most out of the experience, you’ll want to explore the variety of settings available for fine-tuning the visuals. Fortunately, God of War Ragnarök offers a robust array of customizations, from reflections and lighting to texture quality and shadow adjustments. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather an approach that allows for a tailored experience based on your preferences. The Steam Deck’s 800p resolution does hold back the graphical fidelity, but it does a good job of masking imperfections, particularly on the smaller screen. Even when adjusting textures to medium and scaling to balanced, the game still looks remarkably good. There is a noticeable difference between the low and medium settings, especially when it comes to the finer details, like the intricate character models and lush environments. The trade-off in performance is minimal, and for many, the results will be worth it.
Combat on the Steam Deck remains as satisfying as it is on any other platform. The game’s signature brutal combat system, involving Kratos’ axe and fists, feels responsive, even on a handheld device. The controls on the Steam Deck’s compact layout are surprisingly intuitive, though some gamers may need to adjust to the more condensed button configuration compared to playing with a full-sized controller. For those new to handheld gaming or the Steam Deck specifically, the controls may take a moment to get used to, but once accustomed, the gameplay flows without interruption.
The biggest issue that looms over the Steam Deck version of God of War Ragnarök is the game’s online check-in requirement. Without an internet connection, you’re effectively locked out of the experience, as the game requires an authentication check with Sony’s servers. In a world where gaming on the go is all about accessibility and flexibility, this feels like an unnecessary restriction. It is especially disappointing considering that God of War Ragnarök is a single-player game, which ideally should be available to play offline, especially in portable form.
Another downside is the Steam Deck’s battery life. While not unexpected, the game’s more demanding visuals and action-heavy sequences eat through the battery at a rapid pace. After a couple of hours, the device is already running low, making it clear that a portable charger is a must if you plan on playing away from a power source. While the Steam Deck is by no means a long-lasting handheld device when running graphically intense games, the short battery life does highlight the sacrifices that come with running God of War Ragnarök on a portable platform.
There are also occasional hiccups in performance, particularly in some of the game’s more cinematic moments. During cutscenes, the frame rate occasionally drops, sometimes even dipping into the 15-20 FPS range, which can be jarring given the otherwise stable gameplay. This happens sporadically and doesn’t occur throughout the entire game, but it’s worth noting as an issue that detracts from the otherwise polished experience.
Ultimately, while God of War Ragnarök on Steam Deck is a very playable experience, it does have its share of limitations. With some adjustments to settings, the game runs smoothly for the most part, but the online requirement and battery life are hurdles. However, there’s a lot of promise here for those who are willing to tweak settings for the best performance, God of War Ragnarök offers a solid, portable version of a true gaming juggernaut. For Steam Deck owners, Ragnarök delivers a worthwhile experience, even if it’s not perfect.
The Verdict
God of War Ragnarök on the Steam Deck offers a solid, portable experience, with smooth performance and impressive visuals, despite occasional frame rate dips and a few technical hiccups. The online check-in requirement is a drawback, especially for single-player gameplay, and the short battery life is another limitation. However, with the right settings adjustments, the game runs well enough to provide an enjoyable experience on the go.Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
God of War Ragnarök details
Platform: PCDeveloper: Santa Monica Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Action-Adventure
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.