The first time I picked up the controller for God of War Ragnarok, I felt that familiar rush of excitement—the kind that comes with diving into a world you already love, but this time, something was different. I’d heard whispers about the combat being more intense, more demanding, and as someone who spent over a hundred hours with the 2018 installment, I thought I was prepared. Turns out, I wasn’t. The game throws you right into the deep end, and if you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself drowning in a sea of stunlocks and sudden deaths. That’s where understanding the mechanics of combat—what I like to call the "Binggo" of God of War—becomes absolutely essential. It’s not just about hacking and slashing; it’s about rhythm, awareness, and making every move count.

Let me paint you a picture: you’re surrounded by three or four enemies, each with their own attack patterns, and the screen is a chaotic mess of particle effects and flashing indicators. The on-screen arrow that warns you about attacks from behind? It’s supposed to be your lifeline, switching from yellow to red to give you a sense of timing. But in the heat of the moment, I lost track of it more times than I care to admit. There were moments when that tiny visual cue felt almost useless, especially when the intensity ramped up and my focus was split between parrying, dodging, and managing Atreus’s arrows. I can’t tell you how many times I got clipped from behind because I was too busy dealing with a heavy hitter in front of me. It’s frustrating, but here’s the thing—it’s not a flaw in the game’s design. It’s a test of your ability to multitask and stay calm under pressure.

Now, let’s talk about the real pain point: stunlocking. In the latter half of the game, enemies become brutally efficient at chaining attacks, and if you’re caught off guard, a single hit can spiral into a devastating combo that kills you in seconds. I remember one particular fight in Vanaheim where a Wulver managed to stun me, and before I could even react, two Draugrs joined in and pummeled me into oblivion. I died in under three seconds—yes, I timed it. That moment stuck with me because it highlighted a critical lesson: positioning matters more than raw aggression. If you’re not constantly moving, you’re a sitting duck. And this isn’t just about skill; it’s about understanding the flow of combat and anticipating enemy behavior. When I replayed that section, I made sure to keep my distance and use environmental obstacles to break line of sight. The difference was night and day.

Thankfully, the game gives you tools to manage these challenges, and one of the biggest improvements is Atreus. In the 2018 game, he felt like a sidekick, but here, he’s a genuine partner. Mimir’s callouts are helpful, but Atreus actively intervenes—whether you command him to fire arrows or he takes the initiative himself. There were countless times when his timely shots staggered an enemy just as they were about to land a killing blow. He’s a good lad, indeed. And let’s not forget the checkpoint system in boss fights, which is far more forgiving this time around. I fought the Huntress boss in Alfheim, and even though it took me six attempts, the game checkpointed after each phase, so I didn’t have to repeat the entire battle from scratch. It’s a small but meaningful quality-of-life improvement that keeps frustration at bay.

But here’s where the "Binggo" concept really comes into play. To me, Binggo isn’t just about memorizing combos; it’s about building muscle memory and developing a sixth sense for danger. I started treating each encounter like a puzzle—observe, adapt, and execute. For example, I noticed that lighter enemies tend to attack in waves, while heavier ones telegraph their moves more obviously. By the time I reached the endgame, I was consistently landing perfect parries and dodges, not because I had faster reflexes, but because I’d learned to read the battlefield. And those high-level challenges? They’re no joke. I spent roughly four hours on the Berserker King fight alone, and let me tell you, without mastering the Binggo mindset, I would’ve given up after the first dozen tries.

Of course, not everyone will agree with my approach. Some players might prefer a more aggressive playstyle, relying on runic attacks and Spartan Rage to bulldoze through enemies. And that’s valid—God of War Ragnarok offers multiple ways to succeed. But for beginners, I strongly recommend focusing on defense first. Learn to block, dodge, and use Atreus strategically. Once you’ve got that down, you can experiment with more advanced techniques. Personally, I found that mixing light and heavy attacks while keeping Atreus on arrow duty gave me the best results. It’s a balance that requires practice, but the payoff is immense.

In the end, unlocking the secrets of Binggo isn’t about becoming a flawless player overnight. It’s about embracing the learning curve and finding joy in the struggle. I’ve died more times in this game than I’d like to admit—probably around 150 deaths in total—but each failure taught me something new. Whether it’s managing crowd control or timing your dodges to the millisecond, every small victory adds up. So, if you’re just starting your journey with Kratos and Atreus, take it slow. Pay attention to the details, listen to the characters’ cues, and don’t be afraid to fail. Because when it all clicks, and you emerge victorious from a seemingly impossible fight, that feeling is nothing short of magical. And trust me, it’s worth every moment of frustration.