God of War Ragnarok is coming soon, so here is everything you need to know in order to get ready for its release.

Despite only having a handful of trailers, we already know quite a lot about God of War Ragnarok including returning characters, pre-order bonuses, and pre-load times.

But don’t worry if you’re jumping into God of War Ragnarok with little information, as we have you completely covered.

Table of contents

God of War Ragnarok Release Date

God of War Ragnarok releases on Wednesday November 9, 2022. This was officially confirmed by PlayStation in the Cinematic trailer shown in July.

Ragnarok is releasing on both PS5 and PS4.

God of War Release Date Screenshot via Trailer
God of War Release Date Screenshot via Trailer

This is 1,664 days after God of War (2018) took the world by storm when it launched on PlayStation 4 in April, 2018.

Release date shown at 00:25

What Time Does God of War Ragnarok Come Out?

God of War Ragnarok has an expected release time of midnight on November 9, 2022, worldwide.

The one exception will be the USA timezones where it is triggered upon ET time (New York) reaching midnight. For example, West Coast (Los Angeles) will release at 9 PM on November 8, 2022.

God of War Ragnarok Countdown – Time Until Release

Time ZoneCountdown
NZT (New Zealand)
AEDT (Australia)
CET (Europe)
GMT (London)
ET (New York)
CT (Illinois)
MT (Colorado)
PT (California)
Atreus aiming his bow at a monster Kratos is holding down in God of War Ragnarok

What Platforms Is God of War Ragnarok Available On?

God of War Ragnarok is dropping exclusively on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles.

However, it isn’t unreasonable to assume that it may one day come to PC. Both God of War (2018) and other PlayStation exclusives such as Death Stranding have eventually made their way over to PC, though we don’t expect it to arrive there anytime soon.

Where to Pre-Order God of War Ragnarok

God of War Ragnarok can be pre-ordered from all major retailers and storefronts both digitally and physically.

Here are all the places you can pre-order God of War Ragnarok:

Digitally

Physically – US

Kratos, Fenrir and Atreus looking up at an eclipse in God of War Ragnarok

Physically – UK

If you want to pick up a physical copy of God of War Ragnarok, then you should definitely check out our breakdown of each edition and their pre-order bonuses.

And if you were hoping to nab a Collector’s Edition or Jotnar Edition, well there are a few other places you can try and pre-order one.

Is There a Pre-Load for God of War Ragnarok?

Yes, God of War Ragnarok will be available to pre-load on both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 once you have pre-ordered it.

When Can You Pre-Load God of War Ragnarok?

According to the PlayStation Store listing, the expected pre-load date for God of War Ragnarok is November 2, 2022, worldwide.

Players can start downloading their pre-ordered copy of God of War Ragnarok from midnight on November 2.

Pre-loading the game is an incredibly easy process with only a handful of steps. If you’re wondering how to pre-load God of War Ragnarok on PS5 & PS4, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Kratos and Atreus walking through the snow towards a tree made of ice in God of War Ragnarok

Can You Upgrade the PS4 Version of God of War Ragnarok to PS5?

Yes, you can upgrade the PlayStation 4 version of God of War Ragnarok to the PlayStation 5 version through either your disc or digital copy.

However, it will cost you $10 to make the upgrade. This means that anyone who purchases the PlayStation 4 version for the retail price of $59.99 will have to pay $69.99 in total.

God of War Ragnarok Download Size

According to a God of War PS4 download page, the game will be 90.6GB. This is nearly double the size of the previous game, which came to around 45GB.

It hasn’t been confirmed by Santa Monica Studios – the developers of God of War Ragnarok – yet. However, with the game being nearly double the length, it makes sense to have a bigger file size.

Confirmed Locations in God of War Ragnarok

God of War Ragnarok will be set across all Nine Realms seen in Norse mythology, including the six you visit in God of War (2018) and three new ones.

Here is every confirmed location in God of War Ragnarok, including 3 new Realms:

  • Midgard
  • Alfheim
  • Helheim
  • Muspelheim
  • Niflheim 
  • Jotunheim 
  • Vanaheim (New for God of War Ragnarok)
  • Svartalfheim (New for God of War Ragnarok)
  • Asgard (New for God of War Ragnarok)

Players can also expect to see new areas in locations featured in God of War (2018). So, you won’t just be exploring the same places from the previous game.

Can You Play God of War Ragnarok Without Playing God of War (2018)?

It will be very difficult to enjoy God of War Ragnarok without playing God of War (2018) as Ragnarok is a direct sequel.

A lot of story elements – including characters, locations, and plot points – from the first game will be carried over.

So, if you haven’t played the first game, you will likely struggle to understand what is happening. Of course, there are recaps on YouTube, but they may not offer as much satisfaction.

Confirmed Characters in God of War Ragnarok

Kratos

Kratos holding his axe in God of War Ragnarok

It goes without saying that Kratos will be making a return in God of War Ragnarok as the protagonist. Players will once again take control of the Greek God of war.

Kratos is attempting to guide his son, Atreus, down the right path after a number of huge revelations at the end of the last game turned their lives upside down.

Atreus

Atreus holding a ring in God of War Ragnarok

Atreus is returning in God of War Ragkarok with an undoubtedly bigger role. This time, the story will revolve around his heritage and purpose in this world of Norse mythology.

Players can expect Atreus to be a lot more helpful in God of War Ragnarok as he comes with a whole new set of skills and abilities.

Angrboda

Angrboda smiling at someone off screen in God of War Ragnarok

Angrboda is a brand new character in God of War Ragnarok, and as a result, we know very little about her and her circumstance.

However, what we do know is that in Norse mythology, Angrboda is apparently the mother of Fenrir, the giant wolf.

Brok

Brok with his hammer slung over his shoulder in God of War Ragnarok

Brok is returning in God of War Ragnarok and will be a huge helping hand to Kratos and Atreus. It is his job, alongside his brother, to guide you across the Nine Realms.

He is also partly responsible for creating the legendary hammer Mjolnir that is wielded by Thor and the Leviathon Axe used by Kratos.

Durlin

Durlin sat down with his squid Dinner running up his arm

Durlin is a brand new character in God of War Ragnarok and not much is known about him at this point. What we do know is that he’s a Dwarf, and likely a wise character due to the numerous scrolls he carries.

He also has a purple creature that hangs onto his shoulder. This is – according to Santa Monica Studios – Dinner, a squidopus (half squid, half octopus).

Fenrir

Kratos and Atreus looking at Fenrir in a forest in God of War Ragnarok

Fenrir the giant wolf is the child of Loki and Angrboda which certainly complicates matters a tad due to events in the previous game.

However, it seems very unlikely that God of War Ragnarok will adhere so strictly to that facet of the mythology. While they may not give birth to Fenrir, they may summon him somehow.

Freya

Freya holding a sword in God of War Ragnarok

Freya (aka the Witch of the Woods) is making her triumphant return in God of War Ragnarok. Her relationship with Kratos is likely to be strained somewhat after the events of the previous game.

As the daughter of Njörd – an ex-wife of the All-Father Odin – it is likely Freya will have her own family drama to overcome.

Mimir

Mimir on a table in God of War Ragnarok

Everyone’s favorite head, Mimir is coming back for God of War Ragnarok. Just like in the previous game, Mimir will be by your side (literally) ready to talk your ear off.

Having been imprisoned by Odin over 100 years before God of War (2018) began, it is likely he’ll have a few choice words for the All-Father when he appears.

Odin

Odin, the figurehead of Norse mythology and the All-Father of the Norse Gods is set to appear in God of War Ragnarok.

It only makes sense that he would eventually show his face, especially with all of the characters that have ties to him. Concept art of him has also leaked, practically confirming his existence.

Sindri

Sindri in full armor in God of War Ragnarok

Sindri will be returning for God of War Ragnarok. He is the brother of Brok and one of the creators of Mjolnir and the Leviathon Axe.

It stands to reason that wherever Brok will be, Sindri will follow. So, expect him to be assisting Kratos and co on their journey across the Nine Realms.

Thor

Thor in a snow-covered environment in God of War Ragnarok

The iconic God of Thunder, Thor will be appearing in God of War Ragnarok, although fans of the Marvel films and comics may be surprised by this version.

That’s because Thor in God of War Ragnarok is closer to the real Thor from Norse mythology, as opposed to the goofier, laidback character in Marvel.

Tyr

Tyr standing over Kratos in God of War Ragnarok

Tyr is the son of Odin and the Norse God of war, who was imprisoned by his own father and rumored to have been killed.

However, it turns out he was never killed, and Kratos and co need him to help prevent the truly devastating Ragnarok from ever happening.

author
Tom Wilson
Former Staff Writer
Whether it's an indie platformer or a 100-hour JRPG, Tom loves talking about games. So much so, he made it his career. Since starting in 2020, he's covered a wide range of topics at sites including TheGamer and The Game Crater.
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God of War