God of War Ragnarok Update Expands Early-Game Customization Options

Santa Monica Studio’s January update removes restrictions on armor customization and appearance features.

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God of War Ragnarok Update Expands Early-Game Customization Options

Santa Monica Studio has deployed a significant update for God of War Ragnarok, focusing on expanding player customization options and removing previous restrictions on armor accessibility. The January 2025 update marks a notable shift in how players can access and modify their equipment from the early stages of the game.

The update’s primary feature addresses the availability of the Armor of the Black Bear Set, which was previously restricted to New Game Plus playthroughs. PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 players can now access this armor set through the first Lost Items chest encountered in both new and existing save files.

Enhanced Customization Features

A major quality-of-life improvement comes in the form of modified Transmog system requirements. The Edit Appearance feature, previously locked behind level 9 gear upgrades, is now available to all players from the beginning of their journey. This change allows for greater character customization options without the need for extensive progression.

Platform-Specific Implementation

PC players receive additional benefits through PlayStation Network integration. When signing into PSN, PC users gain immediate access to the Armor of the Black Bear Set through the first Lost Items chest in the Realm Between Realms. The set includes:

  • Cloak of the Black Bear (Chest)
  • Wraps of the Black Bear (Wrist)
  • Belt of the Black Bear (Waist)

Additionally, PC players receive a resource bundle containing 500 Hacksilver and 250 XP. Santa Monica Studio has also made PlayStation Network sign-in optional for PC players, maintaining access to the armor set through New Game Plus for those who prefer not to connect their accounts.

This update follows God of War Ragnarok’s successful launch on PC in 2024, which expanded upon the game’s initial 2022 release that has sold over 15 million units across platforms. While smaller in scope compared to previous content additions like the Valhalla DLC, these changes represent Santa Monica Studio’s continued commitment to improving player accessibility and customization options.