God of War Ragnarok is confirmed to feature an option that adds a checkpoint to boss fights. Controversy has surrounded two warring ideas within the video game industry, as there's a push for increased accessibility features that some believe undercuts game developer intentions regarding difficulty. God of War Ragnarok developer Santa Monica Studio leans clearly toward the former. Boss fight checkpoints is just one accessibility option Santa Monica Studio has implemented.
In total, God of War Ragnarok features 70 different accessibility options. These options include gameplay-impacting options including aim assist and lock-on cameras, as well as evade assist and camera centering. There are also options for puzzle hints and wider windows for button presses. For the most part, though, the accessibility features are focused on those who may have vision or hearing issues or who struggle with precise button presses. Santa Monica Studio wants God of War Ragnarok accessible to all players.
The option to enable checkpoints for boss fights is justified in multiple ways. Boss fights can be long and exhausting, they can be frustrating and stressful, or they can be confusing and disorienting, so a mid-fight checkpoint would allow players to take a break without losing progress. At its simplest, though, God of War boss fights can be difficult and mid-fight checkpoints option will make fights simpler to learn and complete.
Santa Monica Studio doesn't turn on its accessibility options by default; it simply provides them and allows God of War Ragnarok players to decide for themselves what their optimal gameplay experience will be like. In a message from Santa Monica Studio, it's explained that it has worked with Naughty Dog, Insomniac Games, and many key individuals for consultants in an effort to further accessibility in gaming as part of an "industry-wide pursuit."
Difficulty isn't a primary focus for Santa Monica Studio, like it could be said for From Software and its RPGs. That doesn't mean the developer isn't providing difficulty options for those that want them, though. The "Give Me Balance" difficulty provides equal balance between combat and story. Players are able to opt to make the game more or less difficult from there, with two options offering less of a focus on combat and two offering more combat. "Give Me God of War" is designed to be "as difficult as possible" and is only available after beating the game.
There is likely to be some internet turmoil within certain communities over God of War Ragnarok's accessibility features. In the end, players that need or want mid-boss checkpoints will have them, as well as any of the other dozens of accessibility features. That's really all Santa Monica Studio wants for God of War Ragnarok players.
God of War Ragnarok releases November 9 on PS4 and PS5.