God of War Ragnarök Receives 'Mixed' Steam Reviews Amid Backlash Over PlayStation Network Account Required

The highly anticipated PC launch of God of War Ragnarök has stirred up a wave of mixed reviews on Steam, with many users expressing frustration over Sony's controversial PlayStation Network (PSN) account requirement. While the game has been widely praised for its captivating story and breathtaking visuals, the need to link a PSN account has left some players disappointed, contributing to the game's current "mixed" user rating on Steam.

Despite Sony clearly stating on the God of War Ragnarök Steam page that a PSN account would be necessary to play, a significant number of players took to the platform to voice their discontent with this policy. Many feel that forcing players to sign up for a PSN account—especially for a single-player experience—was an unnecessary move that detracted from the enjoyment of the game.

One notable negative review came from a player who refunded the game after just 20 minutes of play, citing issues with the PSN account creation process. "Creating a PSN account was something I knew was necessary in advance and I was prepared to do so, until I was met with the reality of it," they wrote. "For UK residents at least, it requires submitting a mobile phone number to verify your age just to start with, and if that fails (which it did, no texts were ever received), your only recourse is to submit a photograph of your face or a government-issued ID to a third-party website. If you're happy with that, go right ahead."

Other reviews echoed similar frustrations, with one user pointing out past Sony data breaches as a reason for their refusal to link their PSN account. "Yeah, I'm not linking my account to PSN, especially for a single-player game," they stated, highlighting their concerns about privacy and security.

The issue of PSN account requirements for PC games has been a growing point of contention among gamers. Earlier this year, the release of Helldivers 2, a co-op shooter from Arrowhead, faced a similar backlash. Sony’s decision to enforce PSN account sign-ups for PC gamers on Valve’s platform led to a review bomb campaign against the game. Although Sony eventually reversed the decision for Helldivers 2, the game remains unavailable in numerous countries that do not support PSN. This has created a broader issue for Sony's games on PC, as titles like God of War Ragnarök are now inaccessible in over 100 countries due to the PSN requirement.

With this controversy brewing, many wonder if Sony will reconsider its stance on God of War Ragnarök. However, given the company's persistence in previous cases, it seems unlikely that any changes will be made soon. As a result, the game may have to live with its "mixed" review status on Steam for some time, as players continue to express dissatisfaction with the PSN policy.

Despite the mixed reception, God of War Ragnarök remains popular among fans, though its player count on Steam has noticeably dipped compared to its predecessor. At the time of writing, the game had 25,471 concurrent players, a significant drop from the peak of 73,529 players during the PC launch of God of War.

Nevertheless, the core of God of War Ragnarök—its continuation of the epic saga of Kratos and Atreus—remains a beloved aspect of the game. The title has received critical acclaim for its narrative depth, action-packed gameplay, and visual splendor. Upon release, the game earned a perfect 10 rating from IGN, with the review calling it "an almighty achievement" that elevates the franchise to new heights.

"Impeccable writing, pitch-perfect performances, knockout action – it’s a complete work of art from top to bottom. Reflecting its core themes, it's everything a sequel should be: respectful of its legendary lineage, but not afraid to take it to exciting new places," IGN wrote.

As the God of War franchise continues to evolve, Sony's PC release strategy has raised important questions about the integration of console platforms with PC gaming. For now, God of War Ragnarök on Steam remains a game that dazzles with its artistry while sparking debate about the necessity of PlayStation Network integration for PC users.

For more gaming news, including the potential PS5 release of Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, check out this update: Warhammer 40000 Darktide Appears Set for PS5 Release. This highly anticipated title is creating buzz in the gaming community, promising another thrilling addition to the console's roster.

Ultimately, God of War Ragnarök continues to captivate audiences with its story and gameplay, but the ongoing debate over the PSN account requirement may shape how Sony approaches future PC game releases.