God of War Ragnarok's Steam Launch Met with Mixed Reception Amidst PSN Account Controversy
God of War Ragnarok's recent PC release on Steam has sparked a wave of negative reviews, primarily due to Sony's controversial requirement for a PlayStation Network (PSN) account. This mandatory linking has resulted in a "Mixed" user rating on the platform, with many fans expressing their frustration through review bombing. The game, launched last week, currently holds a 6/10 user score.
The PSN account requirement for a single-player game has baffled many players, leading to a significant number of negative reviews. However, some users report playing the game without issue, even without linking a PSN account, highlighting a potential discrepancy in implementation or reporting. One review states, "The PSN requirement is frustrating, especially in a single-player game, but I played it fine without logging in. It's a shame these reviews might deter people from an amazing game." Another player described technical issues linked to the PSN requirement, stating, "The PSN requirement ruined the experience. The game launched, I logged in, but it froze on a black screen. It even registered 1 hour 40 minutes of playtime, which is absurd."
Despite the negative feedback, positive reviews exist, praising the game's storyline and gameplay. Many attribute the negative reviews solely to the PSN requirement, suggesting the game itself is excellent. One such review reads, "The story is fantastic, as expected. The negative reviews are almost entirely about the PSN issue. Sony needs to address this; otherwise, the game is a top-tier PC experience."
This situation mirrors a previous controversy surrounding Helldivers 2, where Sony's PSN account requirement also faced significant backlash, ultimately leading to its reversal. Whether Sony will respond similarly to the God of War Ragnarok situation remains to be seen.
