Wow, how fast time passes! Two full years! Was it a surprise to you? Just the day before yesterday, we were all turning our PS5s on and going through that free DLC of God of War Ragnarok, Valhalla, the place of the dead. A small anniversary post expressing gratitude to everyone who participated in this ‘Master Thyself’ through the ghosts of his past along with the players’ journey of Kratos was just published by Sony Santa Monica and, wow, did the players respond-no, not just respond but rather converse and anyway very much.

First of all, let me briefly recount things for those who missed it for any reason: God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla was an unanticipated free DLC expansion that came in December 2023. However, the whole thing was not just mere additional modes like arenas but it was woven into the main game’s story as a new roguelite-style experience and not only that the character of Kratos had to actually fight his past … in the form of Greek-era memories and bosses. It was delicate, it was hard, and it was free of charge. A pretty explosive combo, don’t you think?

The message from the studio was full of gratitude, calling it an ‘unforgettable experience’ that they will always cherish in their hearts. But going through the responses feels like opening a treasure chest full of the gamers’ most genuine and least censored emotions. In there you can find the love and the demands, the nostalgia and, of course, a little salt too. It’s all there.

The main vibe is nothing but praise. Players are calling it ‘one of the best DLCs ever made,’ with one user, DelwynSJ, declaring it a point in the PS5 generation. Another user, koklowstrike, bluntly said ‘best dlc in a game.’ No fluff, just fact. On top of that, the users were deeply connected to the story. User glitchymagic referred to how ‘Valhalla’s narrative depth hit hard’ especially the moment where Kratos confronted his past self. That type of inward-looking stuff, man! Greek saga killing the world is a different kind of impact.

But this is the point where the drama is located. For many people, the anniversary post was a reminder of the difficult times that they have had in the silence. Really hard. Replies are shouting the question that is on everyone’s lips: ‘What’s next?!’ User galvind5 has just posted a plea saying, ‘when will we see your new game!!!!!!😫’ That feeling is everywhere. ‘Saquen una secuela por favor!!!!’ LautaroD023 wrote that, which in English means ‘Release a sequel please!!!!’ The hope for a new God of War game or just something from Santa Monica is so high.

And then there is the remake crowd. Oh, the remake crowd is very vocal. Mark James Warner stated that it was ‘criminal’ that Ragnarok did not win the Game of the Year (in the context of the heated battle between Elden Ring and Ragnarok in 2022) and then put the icing on the cake by suggesting: the original Greek games should be remade in current format. ‘To take on Poseidon and Hercules in new format! 😮💨🙏🤙’ This idea received much support with emilpaeez directly asking for PS5 remakes of God of War 1 and 2, comparing their potential to the much-praised Resident Evil 4 remake.

Of course, not each answer was a love letter. Some gamers fanned discontent, with Bassam85238851 pointing at the 2018’s God of War and claiming it better. Then there are the, let’s say, ‘vocal’ critiques. foxhoundunitmgs made a, um, unique request: ‘Stop ruining God of War, give Kratos back the only thing he really lost—balls.’ Well, okay, then. And Reizig247825 called it the ‘worst remake in gaming history’ which is an odd opinion since it is not a remake, but hey, different people and their feelings. Another user, WClapp15613, simply replied to that with ‘Objectively wrong’, which is the kind of civil, definitive close that you often witness in every comment section.

Some of the responses are just so hilarious with the timing. DaddyMike93 considered the two-year milestone and basically shouted, ‘That was just two years ago?’ with a gif of a completely shocked person. I guess the time flies when waiting for a sequel. And lEmperorll caught the original tweet’s gratefulness and expressed a bit of doubt by saying, ‘Sounds like a goodbye message.’ Let’s hope not, dude. Let’s hope not.