God of War Ragnarok's recent PC release on Steam has ignited a firestorm of controversy, resulting in a "Mixed" user review score. The source of the outrage? Sony's controversial requirement for a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to play the single-player title.
Steam Review Bombing Over PSN Requirement
The PC launch, while highly anticipated, has been overshadowed by a wave of negative reviews, many directly attributed to the PSN account mandate. With a current rating hovering around 6/10, many fans are expressing their frustration through review bombing.
The requirement has left many players bewildered, particularly given the game's single-player nature. Interestingly, some reviewers report successfully playing the game without linking a PSN account, highlighting inconsistencies in the implementation or potential workarounds. One user stated, "The PSN requirement is frustrating, but I played through fine without logging in. It's a shame; these negative reviews will deter people from an amazing game." Another user described a technical issue, stating, "The PSN requirement ruined the experience. The game got stuck on a black screen after login, yet it registered 1 hour 40 minutes of playtime – absurd!"
Despite the negative feedback, positive reviews also exist, praising the game's compelling story and gameplay. These reviews often explicitly attribute the negative scores solely to Sony's policy. A positive review read, "The story is fantastic, as expected. The negative reviews are almost entirely about the PSN requirement. Sony needs to address this; otherwise, the PC port is excellent."
Déjà Vu for Sony?
This situation echoes the backlash Sony faced with Helldivers 2, which also initially required a PSN account. Following significant player pushback, Sony reversed its decision, removing the requirement. Whether Sony will respond similarly to the God of War Ragnarok situation remains to be seen.
