For starters, my first time through this game on launch week, I flubbed it. I lessened the ending for myself quite a bit, which I'll go through. So maybe I'm in a unique situation here. However there are a few other factors that helped on my recent replay.
So starting from the endgame. I remembered going into the Snake's mouth. But after that didn't really remember much about it. Was it a big set piece? Were there combat sequences? The fact that I didn't remember made me think it wasn't that good. I was immediately proven wrong. Here is the first time I'll blame factors that aren't me. I could actually hear the silence and ominous noises while in the snake. My PS4 was not prepping for lift-off. Instead my PS5 was super quiet. And I could soak in the quiet eerie atmosphere. The pulse headset was great too. Thankfully there was no stupid reason given to have some enemies. And it is just a straightforward and quick search for the eye. Then of course we get the 'setpiece' with the snake getting fucked up while you are inside it. Fun stuff.
Then the whole Baldur fight. This is where I massively messed up the first time. Despite the game screaming to you that this is the end. And it makes perfect sense for the final boss to be this guy who has been the villain the entire game. I was just being dumb about it. I must have been thinking "oh we haven't seen Odin, Thor, etc. yet. There must be more" I take full blame.
This time around knowing it was the end I could appreciate it properly. That is a god damn epic fight. Going against Baldur again with all the upgrades and new skills was just a blast especially alongside Boy. And Baldur just loving being freed from his curse. And feeling the ice and fire from your weapons was just awesome. Freya controlling the giant was just icing on the cake.
Then Kratos gives his speech to Atreus which was very well done. And it's off to Jotunheim. My massive F up again. My first time around, again, just not seeing what was right in front of me. I thought Jotunheim would be this whole new section of the game. I stopped right there, and let myself come back later for the 'finale'. Somehow not realizing that I had just played it.
This time around I did the obvious thing and actually went and finished the game right after. I really love every part of the Jotunheim section. Mimir being a bro, Kratos taking off his bandages, Finding the prophecy, and of course scattering the ashes. I appreciated the arc of Kratos and Atreus way more this time. And just loved their relationship at the end. Kratos telling Atreus about his namesake as the credits rolled was the perfect way to end it.
So yea, I am really glad I came back to this at 4K and 60 FPS. I knew it was a magnificent game. But the ending always left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. Even though it was caused by me. Second time around I just took it all in. And I really consider the ending to be maybe the best part of the whole game now. Just so good. And gets you so ready for that sequel.
So yea, I doubt it was very common to completely misunderstand what was happening like I did the first playthrough. So hopefully you were all properly appreciative the first time around. But i'd still recommend going back to the game in 4K 60 FPS if you had any urge at all to do so. And sometimes it really is easier to appreciate something the second time through when you already know the major story beats. For me it cemented itself as my GOTG. At least until the PS5 update for TLOUII compete with Factions mode arrives. Just a masterpiece of a game from beginning to end.
So starting from the endgame. I remembered going into the Snake's mouth. But after that didn't really remember much about it. Was it a big set piece? Were there combat sequences? The fact that I didn't remember made me think it wasn't that good. I was immediately proven wrong. Here is the first time I'll blame factors that aren't me. I could actually hear the silence and ominous noises while in the snake. My PS4 was not prepping for lift-off. Instead my PS5 was super quiet. And I could soak in the quiet eerie atmosphere. The pulse headset was great too. Thankfully there was no stupid reason given to have some enemies. And it is just a straightforward and quick search for the eye. Then of course we get the 'setpiece' with the snake getting fucked up while you are inside it. Fun stuff.
Then the whole Baldur fight. This is where I massively messed up the first time. Despite the game screaming to you that this is the end. And it makes perfect sense for the final boss to be this guy who has been the villain the entire game. I was just being dumb about it. I must have been thinking "oh we haven't seen Odin, Thor, etc. yet. There must be more" I take full blame.
This time around knowing it was the end I could appreciate it properly. That is a god damn epic fight. Going against Baldur again with all the upgrades and new skills was just a blast especially alongside Boy. And Baldur just loving being freed from his curse. And feeling the ice and fire from your weapons was just awesome. Freya controlling the giant was just icing on the cake.
Then Kratos gives his speech to Atreus which was very well done. And it's off to Jotunheim. My massive F up again. My first time around, again, just not seeing what was right in front of me. I thought Jotunheim would be this whole new section of the game. I stopped right there, and let myself come back later for the 'finale'. Somehow not realizing that I had just played it.
This time around I did the obvious thing and actually went and finished the game right after. I really love every part of the Jotunheim section. Mimir being a bro, Kratos taking off his bandages, Finding the prophecy, and of course scattering the ashes. I appreciated the arc of Kratos and Atreus way more this time. And just loved their relationship at the end. Kratos telling Atreus about his namesake as the credits rolled was the perfect way to end it.
So yea, I am really glad I came back to this at 4K and 60 FPS. I knew it was a magnificent game. But the ending always left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. Even though it was caused by me. Second time around I just took it all in. And I really consider the ending to be maybe the best part of the whole game now. Just so good. And gets you so ready for that sequel.
So yea, I doubt it was very common to completely misunderstand what was happening like I did the first playthrough. So hopefully you were all properly appreciative the first time around. But i'd still recommend going back to the game in 4K 60 FPS if you had any urge at all to do so. And sometimes it really is easier to appreciate something the second time through when you already know the major story beats. For me it cemented itself as my GOTG. At least until the PS5 update for TLOUII compete with Factions mode arrives. Just a masterpiece of a game from beginning to end.
