God Of War Ragnarok Is A Cut Above Elden Ring; Here's Why

Both games dive into intense combat, refreshing stories, and extreme visuals, but only one of them end up leaving a more lasting impression.

[Vengeance1138]

One of them has a compelling narrative and the other is just a Boss rush mode turned into a game.

[LoveSpuds]

I can understand having a preference, heck, I think mine is for GoW too, but I don't think it's fair to be so reductive about Elden Ring. The game is absolutely brilliant and delivers its story and lore in the way fans of FromSoftware expect and enjoy.

[agent13]

it's just lore and some details about the world and what happened but this is not a real story it's more like an arcade boss killing game with ridiculously high difficulty

[Flawlessmic]

Having played both thoroughly I can safely say they are both 2 of the best games ever released while also being wildly different games.

They both have things I didn't like about them, but the pros wildly outweigh any cons.

I can't pick one over the other after finishing gowr last night after a solid close to 40 hrs, I finished elden ring twice with total play time of about 130 hrs.

Rather than compare and try to bring one of them down can't we just be happy that we got 2 all time great games in the same year.

We got to start the yr with a bang and now are ending the yr on bang, I for one am a very happy camper that I got to experience both games this yr.

[GamingSinceForever]

Unfortunately only one of the two will win GOTY. You don’t have to choose but they will and it’ll become history.

[frostypants]

@GamingSinceForever both will likely win GoTY from various sources. It's really not that important.

[MrBaskerville]

@GamingSinceForever
You really think people will remember the video game awards in the future? That's cute.

Just as a test, who won last three years? Don't google.

[shinoff2183]

Flewid638

Not completely especially if your an older gamer like me and some others wasnt much narrative on Atari and alot of old nes games. It wasnt until snes for the most part that narratives got way way better. Don't get me wrong it was present during all of gaming but you had to use your imagination alot. Hope that makes sense.

[Chard]

Claiming one game is better than another because of narrative is pretty silly when we're talking about video games.
They're both great but FromSoftware's gameplay design just tickles my taint better

[LoveSpuds]

'Tickles my taint better' - I think you are using your controller wrong mate 😂

[Flewid638]

Why would it be silly when video games literally win awards for narrative?

[Flewid638]

They both have flaws.

[Inverno]

You could say that about the entire Souls-borne series, but you'd be missing the point. There are no fancy cutscenes in these games, nor a dialog heavy narrative, but there is definitely compelling narratives non the less. They are told through visuals more than through words, which is something that many games really struggle with. To the point where they outright just tell you everything rather than letting you put the pieces together yourself.

[Jin_Sakai]

“One of them has a compelling narrative and the other is just a Boss rush mode turned into a game.“

I agree. From Software just slaps hard bosses in a game and people drool over it. They have their own cult following.

[Inverno]

You must've missed the tremendous amount of world building put into these games. The world itself tends to be very much part of the story of a Frum game. And you can say that about pretty much all games, because unless you win against a boss there's usually no progressing through any games story.

[agent13]

@Inverno I always admired fromsoftware games artistic design and world design but what they lack is an actual narrative and difficulty settings the bosses are nothing but pattern memorizing this is not even real challenge the gameplay is so lackluster

[MrBaskerville]

@Agent13
You're in luck, they built a difficulty setting into Elden Ring.

[frostypants]

You obviously never played Elden Ring. What are you even talking about? Why are you so emotionally invested in one game being better than the other that you're willing to just make up ridiculously nonsensical criticisms?

[shinoff2183]

Because thats what he likes. I could ask why you felt you needed to reply, this is a video game page afterall

[EternalTitan]

Elden Ring has a compelling narrative.

[agent13]

couldn't agree more you just nailed it I never understood why elden ring is so popular it literally doesn't have any story just lore but not an actual narrative, the graphics look so old like early last gen, witcher 3 and dragon age inquisition and maybe even skyrim look better even today. the animations, dodging and movement is horribly clunky and worst of all, there is no accessibility no difficulty settings and it was so difficult, boring and pointless that I couldn't keep playing after about 6 hours and deleted it. gow ragnarok on the other hand is quite the opposite, a not only compelling but amazing narrative with charachter development and cinematic in game cutscences and at the same time it has an incredible gameplay and combat design with smooth and really good animations, side quests, etc even if you want extreme challenge you can customize the difficulty a necessary feature that from software games intentionally lack because they don't have any thing but being too hard and great boss designs

[shinoff2183]

Ill be hinest I think elden ring got alot of hype because its one of the biggest games xbox had this year. Im not saying anything bad about the game though.

[Bobertt]

While i would say GoW has a better story to say Elden Ring is just a boss rush mode shows you have no idea what you're talking about.

[SyntheticForm]

It's a cut different; not above.

[Crows90]

Um. Theyre nothing alike. Different cuts entirely of the same gaming passion.

[SullysCigar]

While I agree, they're very different games to the point there's room for both in any gamer's collection.

In my opinion, both are must haves. GOW runs beautifully though and is incredibly polished. It's pretty amazing on all fronts.

[GhostScholar]

Both are great games for sure. The problem is to games media like Colin Moriarty and Greg Miller, a playstation exclusive is always gonna trump a multiplat game. Always......

[ClayRules2012]

Why do you care what games media faces like Colin and Greg think in that regard? They can have their opinion and think that, Always. Just formulate your own opinion.

I personally think (looking at the gaming industry) Sony and their 1st Party studios continue to deliver PS exclusives that llead the charge and push the gaming industry forward - in new and exciting ways, that’s just shown time and again with the new iPs and sequels coming from Sony’s first party studios (taking risks) which we as gamers appreciate. And as Ragnarok and others have shown, their studios know how to polish and tighten up their games to be ready before release, that way gamers don’t have broken, half done, messy/unfinished games as some studios do offer, along with MTS etc.

With that said, it doesn’t mean that multiplat games like Elden Ring aren’t appreciated and given the respective it has earned and deserves. Elden Ring is a great game and gamers are happy with it, that’s something to be glad about.

[MrNinosan]

Greg just don't like Elden Ring but doesn't have anything to do about his love for Sony. His favourite games are Marvel Avengers and Marvel Snap, one which is multi platform and another which is not on Playstation.

The reason he would chose Ragnarok as his GOTY is not a strange choice because it is a game that together with Elden Ring and Forbidden West deserves it.

[ClayRules2012]

Sully, I tell ya, the way God of War runs is just bloody music to my ears, along with that incredible polish to just everything…SSM did the right thing to just be silent as they were during its development, smart move.

I agree, amazing on all fronts, but especially in that in game dialogue, my goodness, I could listen to these conversations for days, they’re so entertaining!

[Sonic1881]

I enjoyed God of War more than Elden Ring. But Elden Ring is a great game too

[EmperorDalek]

"Only one of them end up with a more lasting impression" - You what? God of War only came out a week ago, how could you be sure of that?

I would argue Elden Ring is miles better. The exploration is the biggest gap between them. The amount of invisible walls blocking Kratos from otherwise clearly accessable chests in order to enable puzzles feels ancient now. It works well enough, sure, but in comparison to Elden Ring's exploration? No contest.

Elden Ring's platforming added a new dimension to the Souls formula. The older God of War games were better than the new ones in my opinion, and the removal of real platforming is a big part of that.

The combat in the newer God of War games is also inferior to the older ones if you ask me. It works well when fighting a single boss, but having to deal with minor enemies when they're coming up from behind isn't fun. I'm not a fan of having to rely on hearing "behind you!" or paying attention to the indicator when in combat. Having it all on screen was better. Didn't have that problem with any of the Souls games, and the amount of buildcrafting puts Elden Ring far ahead in terms of combat.

If God of War wins game of the year, it'll be yet another case where cutscenes and graphics prove more important than anything else.

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

I think you underestimate the depth of GoW’s rune and armor customization, and you just suck at the combat if guys are always attacking you from behind (crowd control is a key part of GoW combat).

Elden Ring does have a pretty expansive map though. And I think it’s more of a 300 hour game, where GoW is closer to 30-60, and 100 hours if you try the hardest difficulty.

For me, the cinematic nature of the bosses in GoW is why it is a GOTY contender. They are without an equal IMO.

Elden Ring has different goals than GoW, and GoW’s focus is more important to me than the depth Elden Ring has over it.

For me, Elden Ring perfects older game design strategies, and it comes together beautifully.

But GoWR shows me what games can do in the future. I like innovation over refinement, personally

[MrNinosan]

Elden Ring is not a 300 hour game.
I did everything it had to offer in 120 hours, and Ragnarök in 60 hours (normal difficulty).

Sure I could spend another 100-200 hours in Elden Ring but only reason for that, is to try out different builds, but same could be said and done for Ragnarök.

My GOTY is Ragnarök by far, but Elden Ring is a masterpiece aswell, on shared second spot for me, together woth Forbidden West.

[Gamingsince1981]

You talk about innovation but all the from software games are the same exact game , I can't even tell the difference between demon souls or dark souls when someone is playing it, the only reason I can tell the difference between bloodborne and elden ring from those games is because elden ring is open world and bloodborne has different weapons than the other games. How are they innovative when they are basically clones of each other with a new name.

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

@gamingsense, what I said was “ But GoWR shows me what games can do in the future. I like innovation over refinement, personally”

I meant that to mean GoWR innovates with its cinematic fights, and ER is focused on refining classic game mechanics (aka From software mechanics, as some generations would view them)

[Binarycode]

I just want to ask what the innovation is?

I played the original game and yes this game has better graphics, not night and day in some area's and is a ps4.ps5 game. But God of war should be doing more with it's graphics as it's more a combat area, kind of like Uncharted, story driven with certain area's. It still looks great. But I don't think it does anything better then elden ring except story telling.

[andy85]

I enjoy that part. It's nice to unlock new abilities and go back to explore worlds you've been to with tools to access it deeper. And it's not just cutscenes and graphics, it's storytelling and a pretty much bug free experience at launch counts a lot for me. Elden is probably in my top 3 or 4 this year but it was definitely buggy. Remember BOTW, Overwatch and It Takes Two won it so its never just in favour of graphics. It has nominations in 10 categories to 7 so it's clearly not just graphics.

[Gamingsince1981]

I would argue elden ring is sh!te , but I say that about all the from software games, I dont like any of them at all from bloodborne, demon souls, dark souls or elden ring, to me they just aren't any fun at all. The story and law is convoluted and messy and takes hours of videos to even try to piece it together on YouTube, the enemy design is a mess as well imo. It's unbalanced and broken to top it off.

I have only played the 2018 gow but even that which isn't as good as the newest one is a better game than any game from software has made imo.

[Binarycode]

Totally different games.

But from software does need to upgrade it's story telling, because everything else is perfectly done.

[GhostScholar]

I didn't read the article, but I assume it's because elden ring isn't a playstation exclusive.

[P_Bomb]

Might be a reaction to Twitter, which is full of Elden Ringers sh!**ing on anything that isn’t Elden Ring.

[P_Bomb]

Twitter is toxic. Nothing you say will change my mind.

[BrainSyphoned]

Writer gave GoW a 2to1 victory because of a front and center story you don't need to watch youtube lore videos to understand fully and a better world in their opinon.
World-GoW
Combat systems-Elden Ring
Story-GoW

Perfectly reasonable opinion peice.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

Elden Ring is definitely my GOTY. You can replay it so many different times and find all kinds of new stuff. Then you have MP and PVP to top it off. Both games are excellent but Elden Ring felt like a totally new experience while GoWR felt very familiar. GoWR is definitely more accessible though and has a story that’s not hidden. Can’t go wrong either way.

[shinoff2183]

Theres nothing wrong with a game feeling familiar and games dont need to re invent themselves with every iteration though . If it aint broke dont fix it. Reason why I dont like resident eveil anymore or final fantasy for the most part they changed everything I loved about them and at one point they were my favorite franchises. I hate how ff has changed due to the instant gratification and low attention spanned younger gamers.

https://www.nme.com/en_asia...

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

I agree there’s nothing wrong with a game feeling familiar.

[repsahj]

Both of them deserve to win. But if I have to pick only one, I will pick God of War Ragnarok.

[Elda]

I can't compare the 2 yet because I haven't started my new copy of Ragnorak yet due to me playing a couple of games that I'm almost finishing. Elden Ring was a pretty good game combat/gameplay wise including the exploring but to me the story aspect of ER seemed non existent. I think with Ragnorak I will enjoy story & gameplay.

[MADGameR]

God of War Ragnarok is far superior than Elden Ring. Elden Ring is just another overhyped copy and paste Souls game. Nothing special just that SOMEHOW in this crazy world, a copy and paste Souls game is somehow running for GOTY. Swear if Elden Ring wins GOTY (highly unlikely), then the gaming industry is a complete joke

[ChubbyBlade]

Thanks for sharing you haven’t played them.

[Sirk7x]

Alright, Elden Ring is superior in the aspect that it offered a truly unique experience insofar as gameplay and world building/design; every inch you had to claw for progress felt like cutting into another layer of understanding that world, story and lore. Death in Souls games is part of the DNA of the game itself, and not a roadblock to story progress like in GOW. It was fresh, incredible, intriguing and fun. Its secrets and lore also made for a much greater community. I ended up making friends with random summons in the game, just geeking out over theorizing about the lore. That was a wonderful part of the game itself, albeit a meta one. GOW Ragnarok, however is superior in its narrative, polish and presentation. The production values are simply unparalleled at the moment. It was truly an epic game in every sense. The game performance, art direction, voice acting, motion capture, cinematography, sound design, they're all absolutely top notch, and you'd be hard pressed to find any other game more cinematic. I beat the game, and played through every side mission, and never encountered a single bug as well. I think I saw one or two slight camera jitters the entire playthrough, and it was actually jarring because the rest of the game was so CLEAN. It being a sequel though, the only issue is it's very familiar if you've played GOW 2018. Still, an amazing game, and I wouldn't fault anyone for feeling that either Elden Ring or GOW is the GOTY. They're both incredible games in much different ways.

All that being said, I remember clearly feeling during my time with Elden Ring that it was one of the best games I've ever played, but Ragnarok on multiple occasions literally left me with my mouth hanging open in amazement.

[shinoff2183]

Theres nothing wrong with a game feeling familiar whats with people that think a game needs to re invent itself all the time. They dont. I hope the new cod turns into a rhythm game I swear. To knock a game for being familiar just seems cheap af to me. Ill add I dont really mess with either game never got into gow and elden ring I just dont like the settings(not just elden ring but other medieval typegames)

[frostypants]

They aren't even remotely similar. This is a silly article. More like a reddit post.

[SinisterMister]

They may not be similar, but the article just compares two Game of the Year contenders. What are you on about?

[deadfrag]

For me Gow wins because of the technical polish SSM made on it .....Elden Ring it's a very unpolished game on the technical level and that's the reason GOW is a cut above!

[mastershredder]

Because it is even more mainstream and mass marketed. So many better and even smaller games this year. Pitiful and blind that GOTY equates to the AAA power players.

[EternalTitan]

Can I skip cutscenes in God of War?

[betcha]

no

[Charlieboy333]

Elden Ring has a ''refreshing story'' and ''extreme visuals''? Ok then.

[garos82]

no it isnt. still in my first playthrough of gow and having tons of fun with it. it isnt a cut above elden ring so far

[MrVux000]

This will surely be a calm and rational discussion.

[Cyan_Over]

It was infact, not a calm and reasonable discussion.

[saint_seya]

I loved Elden Ring and for sure was my GoTY.
I just started GoW, and well for now i wont change Elden Ring as my GoTY, but what i saw so far of GoW makes me think that there is a possibility after im done with the game.

[SinisterMister]

Given how I'm a huge fan of the God of War series, I'm biased toward Ragnarok. Elden Ring is amazing, no doubt about that too.

[Gianoni33]

Still playing GOW R. Elden Ring is my pick as GoTY, but i understood totally why this game has a strong change. Its much more mainstream and, of course, an amazing game.

Elden Ring has a strong fan base, but manu people bought the game bt the hype and it has been disappointed....

[lellkay]

Both games are incredible and deserve their nominations. Personally I prefer Ragnarok, but will not at all be disapointed in Elden Ring grabs it.

Horizon Forbidden West was also brilliant and I feel bad it will get overshadowed by these two titans.

[TheEroica]

I love God of War but it's laughable to think it's a better game than elden ring.

[CantThinkOfAUsername]

One is a safe sequel, the other is open world Dark Souls. I'd like to see something different for a change. Next year is guaranteed: Starfield or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Same shit different day.

[Tzuno]

Hard to choose
Both are amazing
God is strong on combat and story wise
Elden is amazing at depicting a legendary and complex world
Both deserve goty

[Obelisk92]

God of War is one of the best narrative driven adventure games ever.
Elden Ring is one of the best (if not THE best) open world games ever.

They're both incredible in their own leagues.

[Thundercat77]

I love both GOW and Elden Ring. For me, they are both unique and amazing experiences. I do prefer the story narrative on GOW. I'm not a fan of trying to figure out a story reading every weapon I pick up or going to YouTube to understand the story and that's the only complain I have with From Software games.

[babadivad]

It isn't.

[gold_drake]

imo, GoW does a better job at establishing Lore through sidequests and conversation than Elden Ring.

[hiawa23]

GOW is a cut above most games. ❤ it.

[Ramboforlife]

Won't even bother clicking. Elden Ring is a masterpiece. It'll be GOTY.

[lucian229]

these games are completely different, wtf?

[Demetrius]

Not saying elden ring is a good game but I enjoy ragnarok more it’s difficult at times but it’s possible to get pass elden ring wants u to spend hours on one boss I don’t like to feel like a chore gaming

[shinoff2183]

First ill add im a sony fan so

Funny two of the best games of the year by most people i dont mess with either. I played the first gow and not much of it, bought elden ring and decided it isnt my type of game . Not difficulty wise just setting. Like if that wouldve been a sci game Idda been all over it. Ill give it another chance someday. Gow on the other hand im partially interested I here nothing but good things about the series but I just never got back into trying them. Im personally more into horizon then these 2 games. Im not typing this as a hate post I just find it funny.

[Nineball2112]

Elden Ring - Refreshing Story?

[DOMination-]

Haven't played either as the action genre isn't my thing these days (although I did play and loved Horizon ZD). But I can appreciate why both could be contenders.

GOTY for me is between Leap of Faith or Being a DIK Season 2. Unfortunately most of the games I played this year were odder titles as my backlog is so large but those two were really great.

[Orchard]

GoW is better than every other game that came out this year by a large margin - minus ER. ER is the GOAT & GOTY.

[Binarycode]

God of War is not the same type of game. It's Pure story with some RPG, Narrative driven, excellent story telling and close quarter combat.

Elden Ring is Much more expansive, has a massive playing area surrounded by enemies and mystery, with I agree a story that is hard to follow and you have to meet certain ppl to get all the information you need. It's a very different type of game. Everything wants to kill youm tons of lore, upgrades, items that serve so many purposes and farming for more souls to get more power.

I've not finished Elden ring yet because there's such a vast area to visit and you never know what's lurking.

I do think Elden ring should improve on the story telling part of the game and would help pull others in to this fantastic game.

As for Graphics, I love both styles.

https://youtu.be/LOBJGzP4DU... - Elden ring.

https://www.youtube.com/wat... - God of war.

I'd argue for Elden ring. It's bigger scope and open playing area produces such a varied style of it's own, from caves to castles to open world forests with huge enemies.

But both great games in their own right.