WEBVTT

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- [Isaiah] It's Isaiah
Colbert, the Otaku of Kotaku.

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(Rock music begins)

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Well, looks like Christopher Judge

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has finally left the stage
after his epic acceptance speech

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at the Game Awards earlier this month,

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where he took home a
trophy for his performance

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as Kratos in God of War Ragnarok.

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- Why? Now it's running.

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- And so are we.

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- [Isaiah] But lest you think that moment

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has given us all our fill

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of showering that game with accolades.

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Think again.

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I'd like to invite Sony Santa Monica

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onto the Kotaku stage to accept the award

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for "best introductory
video game fights of 2022."

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When God of War 2018 first came out,

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it left me floored by how over the top

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Kratos and Baldur's early brawl was.

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It truly had it all.

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Good ass machismo dialogue.

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- So, care to try again?

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- You talk too much.

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- [Isaiah] Earth-splitting punch outs

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and a goddamn German suplex
from out of nowhere to boot.

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Chef's kiss, 10 outta 10.

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God of War Ragnarok had
some big ass boots to fill

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and following up God of
War 2018's slobberknocker.

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And by God they topped it.

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In case you're still on the fence

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about 2022 game awards
winner for best narrative,

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allow me to wax poetics about

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how spectacular its opening boss fight is.

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It begins when Thor,
accompanied by all Father Odin,

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welfare checks the Kratos household

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with a thunderous reveal
of the mighty Mjolnir.

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However, unlike Baldur,

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Thor doesn't immediately lay the smackdown

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on dad and boy's candy-asses.

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No, these Asguards have
actually come to break bread

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or rather,

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crack open what has to be an
extremely cold gourd of mead

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to discuss the consequences

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of the ashen one's God-killing actions

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from the previous game,

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in which Kratos and Atreus
merc'd Thor's large adult sons,

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Magni and Modi.

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Throughout the scene,

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Thor radiates a calm yet
threatening presence.

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Like if Anton Chigurh was
a Super-powered beardo.

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Since this isn't God of diplomacy,

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negotiations inevitably break down

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and ding ding! The fight is on.

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- 'Bout time.

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(Thor snaps fingers)
(high-pitched whooshing)

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(wood breaking)
(Kratos grunts)

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- [Isaiah] Thor and Kratos
put on a five-star bout,

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trading taunts, shrugging
off each other's haymakers,

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and rewarding players with
a well-paced slug fest,

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allowing them to appreciate the epicness

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of what they're a part of.

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That is, until Kratos gets his bell rung

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and goes down for count.

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When players are greeted with
a death screen/tips menu,

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basically telling you, "easy
mode is now selectable,"

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Thor revives Kratos' goddamn heart

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with a thunderbolt of lightning.

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And just like that, we're on to round two.

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No shields, just two meaty
men going fisticuffs.

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The way things should be.

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Ultimately, the clash ends in a draw

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with Thor at least one tooth short

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and promises for a rematch down the line.

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- Be seeing ya.

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(music intensifies)
(lighting strikes)

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- [Isaiah] By the way, that tooth,

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you can find it right where Thor left it

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when we're visiting Midgard.

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Sadly, Kratos probably already unalived

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all the tooth fairies

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before stumbling into the Norse pantheon.

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Tough break, Thor.

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Was God of War Ragnarok's
first fight scene

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more exciting than God of war 2018s?

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Or does an earlier entry in the series

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deserve to stand atop the pile?

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That epic showdown with Colossus of Rhodes

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in the OG God of War 2, perhaps?

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Let us know in the comment section below.