God of War: Ragnarok is around the corner and we now have more information regarding how the new game is going to be different compared to GoW 2018. The new game is going to add more enemy variety, weapon infusion, and multiple shields. Here is what you need to know.
New God of War: Ragnarok Details – Weapons, Enemies, And Shields
God of War: Ragnarok pushes combat further according to Lead combat designers Mihir Sheth and Denny Yeh. Combat has been changed this time around to make things better. Weapon Signature Moves have been added to the game and can be pulled off by pressing the Triangle button on the PS controller. The move will depend on whether you are using the Leviathan Axe or Blades of Chaos. Sheth mentioned the following regarding the Signature Moves:
In the last game, if you pressed Triangle, you recalled the axe but if you already had the axe, nothing happened. If you had the Blades of Chaos and you pressed Triangle, you just went back to the axe. We looked at that concept and wondered, ‘What if you could do something a little bit different with that button – a whole new suite of moves.
Weapon Signature Moves allow Kratos to infuse his weapons with ice or fire. These elemental moves are called Frost Awaken and Whiplash and can do additional damage by freezing enemies or setting them on fire.
God of War: Ragnarok also adds different shields. The Dauntless shield is ideal for parrying and glows red signaling that Kratos can do a smash that stuns enemies. The Stonewall Shield is for tankier builds that like slower combat. Players will not be able to parry with the Stonewall Shield. Keeping it up and blocking attacks fill up a kinetic energy meter as the shield absorbs blows. Once the meter is full Kratos can smash the shield into the ground creating a wave that knocks back enemies.
These are just two options and players can expect to see more once the game is out later this year.
The combat designers also mentioned that at higher difficulties enemies are more challenging compared to the previous game. The game also has side content with optional areas and enemies to beat if players are up to the challenge.