God of War: Ragnarok is getting free DLC next week

God of War: Ragnarok is getting some unexpected DLC, as announced at The Game Awards 2023. Best of all? It's completely free, and out next week.

We thought we'd seen the last of Kratos for a good while when Ragnarok released at the tail end of 2023, but Santa Monica Studios isn't quite done with us just yet. If you're a sucker for the hack-and-slash combat that the game is known for, you're in for a treat next Tuesday.

God of War DLC? In this economy?

Called God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla, it takes inspiration from the gameplay players saw in the Svartelheim area of the first game. With a roguelike gameplay loop, it appears that Kratos will be ripping and tearing his way through endless waves of enemies as he grinds for higher-tier loot and gear.

The trailer starts by ominously panning out from a meagre-looking throne, half sunken in a big puddle. After leaving the audience hanging for long enough, Kratos emerges into the frame with an eruption of applause from The Game Awards audience.

What follows is a short trailer that shows Kratos fighting off hordes of enemies in many foggy-looking arenas. Muspelheim hosted some of the hardest challenges for Kratos to overcome in the base game of Ragnarok. Now, it looks like Valhalla is here to give our God of War another run for his money.

Of course, those who finished the story of God of War: Ragnarok will notice that Atreus isn't anywhere to be found in the trailer. Fear not, however. Kratos still has Mimir quipping from his hip, so there's still a friendly face (head?) to converse with.

It's unclear whether this free DLC will provide more story context that expands upon the ending of God of War. Regardless, there's not long until we'll find out more - it's releasing on December 12th, 2023. That's next Tuesday, and it'll be available to download for free for anyone who already owns the base game.

What a lovely surprise for the first half-hour of The Game Awards, eh?