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Can You Free Roam After Beating God of War? A Deep Dive into Post-Game Exploration

Yes, absolutely! In both God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok, you can free roam after beating the main story. Once the credits roll, you’re thrust back into the game world, allowing you to explore, complete side quests, gather collectibles, and tackle any challenges you might have missed. The post-game content significantly extends the playtime and offers opportunities to further immerse yourself in the rich world crafted by Santa Monica Studio. Welcome to the era of “Beyond Ragnarok,” as it is often called!

Exploring the Norse Realms After the Main Story

One of the most appealing aspects of the God of War series is its meticulously designed world. The ability to revisit these locations after the main narrative is a testament to the developers’ commitment to player agency and content longevity. Let’s delve into what you can expect after the credits fade to black:

Unfinished Business: The world is brimming with side quests (Favors) that may have been overlooked during your initial playthrough. These can range from helping wayward spirits to solving environmental puzzles.
Collectibles Galore: From Odin’s Ravens to hidden artifacts, there’s a treasure trove of items scattered throughout the realms. The post-game allows you to methodically track down these collectibles, adding to your completionist satisfaction.
Challenging Encounters: Valkyries and other formidable foes provide demanding combat experiences that test your skills. They often yield valuable rewards that further enhance your equipment.
Narrative Closure: Some post-game activities add layers to the story, providing closure to certain character arcs or shedding light on unresolved mysteries.
Experimentation: With a fully upgraded Kratos and Atreus (where applicable), the post-game is the perfect time to experiment with different combat styles, armor sets, and enchantments.

God of War Ragnarok: A More Detailed Look

God of War Ragnarok expands upon the post-game formula of its predecessor in exciting ways. It introduces a phase called “Beyond Ragnarok,” offering unique opportunities for exploration and discovery.

Realm Travel: You can freely travel between all realms accessible during the main story, excluding Asgard. Each realm harbors secrets, side quests, and collectibles waiting to be uncovered.
The Muspelheim Crucible: Test your combat prowess in a series of increasingly difficult trials within the fiery realm of Muspelheim.
The Real Týr: Embark on a quest to find and free the real Týr from his imprisonment, unlocking new dialogue and insights into Norse mythology.
Berserker Stones: Battle a series of powerful Berserkers scattered throughout the realms, each posing a unique combat challenge.
Draugr Holes: Close these portals and defeat the Draugr within, cleansing the land of their presence.

What You Can’t Do

While the post-game offers extensive freedom, it’s essential to acknowledge its limitations:

Asgard: Regrettably, Asgard is not explorable in the post-game. The events of the main story render it inaccessible.
Story Alterations: The post-game content doesn’t alter the main story’s outcome. You can’t change the fate of certain characters or prevent Ragnarok from occurring.

Enhancing Your Post-Game Experience

To fully savor the post-game experience, consider these tips:

Upgrade Gear: Prioritize upgrading your weapons, armor, and enchantments to tackle the most challenging encounters.
Complete Favors: Side quests often reward valuable resources, powerful equipment, and enriching lore.
Explore Thoroughly: Scour every nook and cranny of the realms to uncover hidden chests, collectibles, and secrets.
Experiment with Builds: Try out different armor sets, enchantments, and combat styles to find a playstyle that suits you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify what you can do after beating God of War and God of War Ragnarok:

1. Can I go back to all locations after beating God of War?

Yes, you can return to almost every location in both games after completing the main story. This allows you to complete side quests, gather collectibles, and explore areas you might have missed.

2. What happens after I finish God of War Ragnarok?

After the credits, you enter a post-game chapter called “Beyond Ragnarok.” This phase allows you to freely travel between realms and explore them at your leisure.

3. Is there anything new to do after finishing the main story?

Absolutely! Post-game content includes completing side quests, facing challenging enemies like Valkyries and Berserkers, solving puzzles, and collecting hidden items.

4. Can I play the game on a harder difficulty after beating it once?

Yes, you can start a new game on a harder difficulty like “Give Me God Of War” to experience a more challenging playthrough.

5. What can I do with all the resources I’ve collected after beating the game?

You can use resources to upgrade your gear, craft new items, and purchase enchantments to enhance your abilities.

6. Are there any secret bosses in the post-game?

Yes, the Valkyries serve as secret bosses in the original God of War, while God of War Ragnarok features Berserkers and other challenging encounters.

7. Can I still earn trophies after beating the game?

Yes, you can still unlock trophies by completing various tasks in the post-game, such as collecting all artifacts or defeating all Valkyries/Berserkers.

8. Can you get Atreus back after Ragnarok?

Yes, you will encounter Atreus again in the post-game.

9. What are some specific activities to do after 100% completing God of War Ragnarok?

Even after 100% completion, you can replay challenging encounters like the Muspelheim Crucible, experiment with different builds, or simply revisit your favorite locations.

10. Does completing all side quests unlock anything special?

Completing all side quests can unlock powerful equipment, valuable resources, and additional lore that enriches the game’s narrative.

11. Can I explore Jotunheim freely as Kratos in God of War?

You can visit Jötunheim, but your exploration there is limited.

12. What rewards do I get for defeating all the Valkyries in God of War?

Defeating the Valkyries rewards you with rare, Epic-level loot, including unique enchantments and pieces of the powerful Valkyrie armor.

13. Is it worth playing God of War after the main story?

Absolutely! The post-game offers plenty of content, including challenging encounters, side quests, and collectibles, making it a worthwhile experience.

14. What happens after you find the real Tyr in God of War Ragnarok?

After freeing him, Tyr will appear in different locations, allowing you to learn more about him and his perspectives.

15. Can you meet Atreus again after the ending of God of War Ragnarok?

Yes, you can visit Atreus and Angrboda in Jotunheim after completing the main story.

Conclusion

The ability to free roam after beating God of War (both 2018 and Ragnarok) significantly enhances the overall experience. It provides players with the opportunity to fully explore the rich world, complete unfinished business, and further immerse themselves in the Norse saga. Embrace the post-game content, experiment with different builds, and continue your journey as Kratos and Atreus in the captivating realms of Norse mythology.

The impact of video games, such as the God of War series, on learning and skill development has been extensively studied. As a leading organization, the Games Learning Society (accessible at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org) explores the educational potential of games and their applications in various fields.

Can you free roam after beating God of War?