God of War Ragnarok's PC release on Steam has been met with a mixed reception, largely due to Sony's controversial PSN account requirement. The game's user score currently sits at a 6/10, a result of significant negative reviews from disgruntled fans.
PSN Requirement Sparks Review Bombing
The mandatory PSN account linkage for a single-player game has infuriated many players, leading to a review bombing campaign on Steam. This decision, announced prior to launch, has overshadowed the game's generally positive qualities.
Interestingly, some players report successfully playing the game without linking a PSN account, highlighting potential inconsistencies in the implementation. One user commented, "The PSN requirement is frustrating, but I played fine without logging in. It's a shame these reviews might deter people from a great game." Another review stated, "The PSN requirement ruined the experience. The game even logged an hour and forty minutes of playtime, despite being stuck on a black screen!"
Despite the negative reviews, many positive comments praise the game's story and gameplay, attributing the negative feedback solely to Sony's policy. "Great story, as expected," wrote one player, "But the negative reviews are all about the PSN issue. Sony needs to address this."
Déjà Vu for Sony
This situation mirrors the controversy surrounding Helldivers 2, another Sony title requiring PSN account login. Following similar backlash, Sony reversed its decision for that game. Whether they will do the same for God of War Ragnarok remains to be seen.