You probably didn't expect to see Kratos back in your download queue this week. Honestly, most of us figured Santa Monica Studio had packed up their tools and headed for the Egyptian desert or whatever pantheon they’re planning to wreck next. But then, version 06.06 dropped. It’s small.
If you were hoping for a secret boss fight against a hidden Aesir god, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. You aren't getting new blades or a magical trinket. Instead, you're getting a leaf. Specifically, a little green leaf icon on your game tile that signals the arrival of the Power Saver mode compatibility.
It sounds boring. It really does. But in the world of modern console gaming, where the PS5 Pro is hungry for juice and energy bills are basically a second mortgage, this God of War Ragnarok update is actually a pretty big deal for the longevity of the game.
What is Update 06.06 and Why Now?
Let’s be real: God of War Ragnarok is a massive game. It eats hardware for breakfast. When Sony rolled out the system-wide Power Saver mode back in late 2025, it was a "use at your own risk" kind of thing for most heavy-hitting titles. If the game wasn't optimized for it, you’d see frame rates tank or textures turn into something out of the PS1 era the moment you tried to save a few watts.
Update 06.06 changes that for the Ghost of Sparta.
The patch notes are hilariously short. They basically just say "Adds compatibility for Power Saver mode on PS5 and PS5 Pro." That’s it. But what’s happening under the hood is that Santa Monica Studio has tweaked the engine to scale more gracefully. When you toggle that Power Saver setting in your PS5 system menu (Settings > System > Power Saving), the game now knows how to throttle back without making the combat feel like a slideshow.
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The PS5 Pro Connection
If you've managed to snag a PS5 Pro, this update hits a bit differently. We all know the Pro is a beast, but it’s also a power-hungry one. This update allows the console to utilize PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) more efficiently while in a low-power state. You're basically getting the visual clarity of a high-end machine while pulling significantly less from the wall.
It’s a weirdly specific optimization, but it suggests Sony is making a push to ensure their "Greatest Hits" library is ready for a future where energy efficiency isn't just an afterthought.
Looking Back at the 2025 Anniversary Update
To understand why people are still tracking every God of War Ragnarok update, you have to look back at the March 2025 patch. That was the "real" final content drop. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the franchise, we got the Dark Odyssey collection.
Remember that black and gold skin from the original God of War 2?
They brought it back, and it looked incredible with the modern Kratos character model. But the real "thank God" moment of that update wasn't the skin—it was the Transmog system overhaul. Before that patch, you had to grind your gear all the way to Level 9 just to change its appearance. It was a chore. The 2025 update finally unlocked the "Edit Appearance" feature from the start of the game.
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It’s funny how something as simple as wanting to wear the Bear Armor without sacrificing your stats took three years to fully iron out.
The Handheld Rumors: The Real Reason for the Patch?
Here is where things get a bit "tinfoil hat," but the logic actually holds up. Industry insiders—the kind who usually get these things right—have been whispering that this sudden interest in "Power Saver" modes isn't just about your electric bill.
Sony is reportedly working on a dedicated PS6-era handheld.
Not a streaming device like the PlayStation Portal, but a real-deal handheld that can run PS5 games natively. If you’re going to run a monster like Ragnarok on a battery, you need a very aggressive, very stable power-saving profile. By patching this into their biggest first-party games now, Sony is essentially "future-proofing" their library for portable play.
Kratos on a plane? It's looking more likely.
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How to Get the Most Out of Your Current Setup
If you’re diving back into the Nine Realms today, there are a few things you should actually do to make sure the game feels right with these new updates:
- Check the Icon: Look for that little leaf on the game tile. If it's not there, you’re playing an old version.
- Enable Power Saver: Go to Settings > System > Power Saving. If you’re just doing some casual side-quest cleanup or hunting for those last few Odin's Ravens, turn it on. You won't notice the difference in the slower moments, and your console will run way cooler.
- The PC Perk: If you’re a PC player who hopped on recently, don't forget that the PSN sign-in is now optional. But, if you do sign in, you still get the Black Bear Armor set for free. It’s worth the 30 seconds of hassle.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Ragnarok feels finished. Between the Valhalla DLC (which, let's be honest, could have been a $30 expansion and we all would have paid for it) and the anniversary cosmetics, the story of Kratos in the North is effectively told.
If you’re looking for what’s next, keep an eye on the "New IP" rumors coming out of Santa Monica. Cory Barlog has been quiet for a long time, and with the PS5 Pro now out and the base PS5 entering its twilight years, we’re likely months away from a teaser for whatever project they've been "quietly beavering away on" since 2022.
For now, just enjoy the fact that you can slay some Draugr while being slightly more eco-friendly. It’s a small win, but in a world of 100GB "stability" patches, a focused update that actually saves you money on your utility bill is a welcome change of pace.