What to do after God of War ends?

What to do After God of War Ends: A Deep Dive into Post-Game Content

So, you’ve conquered the final boss, watched the credits roll, and witnessed the (momentarily) peaceful conclusion to Kratos and Atreus’s epic journey. But what now? The realms of Midgard, Alfheim, Vanaheim, and beyond are still brimming with challenges, secrets, and storylines waiting to be uncovered. Far from being over, the post-game of God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok offers a wealth of content for completionists and lore enthusiasts alike. Here’s your comprehensive guide to maximizing your post-game experience.

Exploring the Post-Game Landscape

The beauty of the God of War series is that the ending is truly just the beginning of a new chapter. Once the main story concludes, the world opens up, granting you the freedom to revisit previously inaccessible areas and tackle challenges you may have bypassed. Here’s a breakdown of key activities:

  • Complete Missed Side Quests (Favors): Chances are, you skipped a few Favors (side quests) during your initial playthrough. These quests are often rich in lore, offer unique rewards (armor, enchantments, resources), and provide deeper insights into the world and its inhabitants. Check your quest log and head to the various realms to complete them.

  • Vanquish the Valkyries: Arguably the most challenging encounters in both games, the Valkyries represent a significant test of skill and strategy. Defeating all Valkyries unlocks powerful gear and ultimately leads to a showdown with the Valkyrie Queen. This is essential post-game content.

  • Delve into Niflheim (God of War 2018): Niflheim’s procedurally generated maze offers a unique gameplay loop focused on resource gathering and combat endurance. Explore the maze, collect Mist Echoes, and craft powerful Ivaldi armor.

  • Conquer the Muspelheim Trials: Muspelheim presents a series of combat trials that escalate in difficulty. Completing these trials rewards you with valuable resources and unlocks even more challenging encounters. In God of War Ragnarok, the Muspelheim Crucible is a significant location for end-game challenges and narrative closure.

  • Hunt Down Collectibles: The realms are scattered with collectibles, including Artifacts, Lore Markers, Odin’s Ravens, and Treasure Maps. Finding these items enhances your understanding of the world and often rewards you with useful gear and experience.

  • Free the Real Týr (God of War Ragnarok): After completing the main story of Ragnarok, you can find the real Týr imprisoned in Niflheim. This opens up new dialogues and hints at the potential future of the series.

  • Battle the Berserkers (God of War Ragnarok): The Berserker Gravestones house powerful spectral warriors. Defeating these Berserkers is a formidable challenge that rewards unique hilts and equipment.

  • Clear Draugr Holes (God of War Ragnarok): These fiery fissures are scattered throughout the realms and unleashing waves of Draugr enemies. Clearing them offers combat challenges and rewards.

  • Seek Out Secret Bosses: Hidden throughout the realms are optional powerful enemies that are not part of the main storyline. These battles offer high-end rewards.

  • Engage with Lore-Specific Collectibles (God of War Ragnarok): These collectibles, such as Bloom Flowers, Kvasir poems, and Dvalin’s Lost Pages, add depth to the game’s lore. They provide more narrative and background information.

  • Experiment with Endgame Builds: With access to powerful armor sets and enchantments, the post-game is the perfect time to experiment with different builds. Optimize your stats, find the ideal combination of gear, and become an unstoppable force.

  • Utilize New Game+: Both games offer a New Game+ mode, allowing you to replay the story with your existing gear and abilities. This mode often introduces new challenges, higher difficulty levels, and additional rewards.

  • Explore Jotunheim (God of War Ragnarok): After the main story, Kratos can visit Atreus in Jotunheim.

  • Experience the Secret Ending (God of War Ragnarok): Visit Sindri’s House after the final battle.

  • Revisit areas for Dialogue and Interaction: Go back to areas with other characters to see if there is new dialogue with characters that will provide deeper insight into the story.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I still explore after beating God of War Ragnarok?

Yes, absolutely! The game world remains fully accessible after the main story. You can revisit all realms, complete side quests, find collectibles, and tackle optional challenges. Post-game exploration is a core component of the God of War experience.

2. Where does Atreus go after Ragnarok?

After the cataclysmic events of Ragnarok, Atreus embarks on a journey to find the remaining Giants. This is a key narrative thread that suggests potential future installments in the series.

3. Is there a secret God of War Ragnarok ending?

Yes, there is! To unlock the secret ending, return to Sindri’s House after the final battle. This scene provides additional closure and hints at future possibilities.

4. Will Sindri forgive Atreus and Kratos?

This is a complex question. Sindri’s grief over Brok’s death is profound, and he struggles to forgive Atreus and Kratos for their role in the events leading to the tragedy. Whether he fully forgives them is left ambiguous, adding a layer of emotional depth to the narrative.

5. Can Kratos lift Mjolnir?

No, Kratos cannot lift Mjolnir. The hammer is bound by Odin’s enchantment, restricting its use to those deemed worthy. Kratos, despite his immense strength, does not meet the criteria.

6. Is Kratos’ story over?

While God of War Ragnarok concludes the Norse saga, it leaves Kratos’ story open for future installments. The ending suggests potential conflicts and adventures in other mythologies, leaving fans eager for what’s next.

7. Can you meet Atreus after ending God of War Ragnarok?

Yes, you can meet Atreus in Jotunheim after the main story.

8. Where is the real Tyr in God of War Ragnarok?

The real Týr is found in the Aesir Prison Wreckage area of Niflheim after completing the main story. Completing the “Broken Prison” favor is necessary to unlock this encounter.

9. Is Leviathan Axe stronger than Mjolnir?

Canonically, the Leviathan Axe is often considered more powerful than Mjolnir. The Axe was created to oppose Mjolnir, and its frost abilities provide a unique advantage in combat.

10. Is Kratos a real Greek god?

In Greek mythology, Kratos is the divine personification of strength and power, not a god in the traditional sense like Zeus or Poseidon. In the God of War games, however, Kratos is the son of Zeus.

11. Could God of War return to Greece?

While the Norse saga is complete, a return to Greek mythology is a possibility for future games. The narrative could explore Kratos’ past, his impact on the Greek world, and his potential interactions with surviving deities.

12. Is Sindri a villain now?

While Sindri’s grief and bitterness could potentially lead him down a darker path, it’s unlikely he’ll become a full-fledged villain. His actions are primarily motivated by loss and a desire for justice, rather than malicious intent. However, conflict with Kratos isn’t off the table.

13. Why is Brok blue?

Brok’s blue skin is a result of his frequent contact with raw metals during his forging process. He enjoyed forging with his bare hands, causing his skin to absorb the properties of the metals he worked with, such as silver.

14. Does Sindri still hate Kratos?

Sindri harbors resentment towards Kratos and Atreus. While he collaborates with them when necessary, his bitterness is evident. He’s unable to fully forgive them for their role in Brok’s death.

15. What are the best resources for learning more about game design?

The Games Learning Society is an excellent resource. You can visit their website to find a wealth of information about game design, learning through games, and the broader impact of games on society. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to explore their resources.

Embracing the End… and the Beginning

The post-game of God of War is not merely an afterthought; it’s an integral part of the overall experience. It’s a chance to delve deeper into the lore, hone your skills, and further explore the beautifully crafted world. Embrace the challenges, uncover the secrets, and continue the journey of Kratos and Atreus, even after the credits have rolled. The Nine Realms are waiting!

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