God of War Ragnarök Faces Criticism for Sony’s PC Login Requirement
God of War Ragnarök, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 Game of the Year, has been met with mixed reviews on Steam due to Sony’s controversial PSN login requirement for PC players. Despite being a single-player offline game, players are required to create a PlayStation account and sign in before being able to play the game, even if they do not own a PS5 or have any intention of getting one. This move by Sony has sparked backlash among the gaming community, with many expressing their frustration and disappointment in online reviews.
Controversy Over PSN Login Requirement
The decision to implement a PSN login requirement for God of War Ragnarök on PC has been met with criticism from players who feel that it is unnecessary and intrusive. While Sony has stated that this is part of their larger strategy to integrate the PlayStation user experience onto PC, many gamers view it as a hindrance that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. The negative reviews on Steam highlight the frustration felt by players who just want to dive into the game without having to jump through additional hoops.
One Steam user expressed their disappointment, stating, “I really wanted to give this game a thumbs up because it IS actually a good game, but the PSN requirement is stupid as hell and Sony needs to know that gamers will not stand for this.” This sentiment is echoed by many others who feel that the login requirement is a barrier to entry that should not exist for a game of this caliber.
Comparison to Previous Sony PC Releases
The backlash against the PSN login requirement for God of War Ragnarök on PC is not the first time Sony has faced criticism for similar decisions. Previous releases such as Helldivers 2 and Ghost of Tsushima also required players to log in to their PlayStation accounts, leading to negative feedback and review bombing campaigns. While these requirements were eventually lifted for some games, God of War Ragnarök’s mandatory login for all players stands out as a particularly contentious issue.
The comparison to Ghost of Tsushima, which had a login requirement only for certain online features, further highlights the frustration felt by players of God of War Ragnarök. The lower Steam rating for Ragnarök compared to Ghost of Tsushima indicates that the login requirement has had a negative impact on player satisfaction and overall reception of the game on PC.
Impact on Sales and Player Experience
Despite the backlash and criticism surrounding the PSN login requirement, it remains to be seen how it will impact the sales of God of War Ragnarök on PC. While the game has not seen the same level of success on Steam as its predecessor did on console, it still boasts a dedicated fan base eager to experience Kratos’ latest adventure. The peak of around 25,000 concurrent players on Steam may not be as high as expected, but it is still a respectable number for a single-player game.
Players who do decide to give God of War Ragnarök a chance on PC can look forward to improvements from its console launch, including fixes to issues such as Atreus spoiling puzzles. Despite the initial hurdles presented by the PSN login requirement, the game itself is still praised for its gameplay, visuals, and storytelling, offering a compelling experience for fans of the series.
In conclusion, the backlash against the PSN login requirement for God of War Ragnarök on PC highlights the challenges faced by developers and publishers in balancing user experience with platform integration. While the decision may have alienated some players, the core gameplay experience of the game remains strong, attracting both new and returning fans to the world of Kratos and Atreus. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it is important for developers to listen to player feedback and adapt to meet the changing expectations of the community.
