You’re standing in the middle of Midgard, staring at a wall of solid ice, and your map says there’s a Raven nearby. You hear the metallic screech. It’s haunting. But no matter how many times you spin Kratos around, that green bird is nowhere to be found. This is the reality of hunting God of War collectibles. It’s not just about the loot or the shiny Platinum trophy; it’s about the sheer obsession that kicks in when you realize you're at 98% completion in a region.
Honestly, Sony Santa Monica turned the 2018 reboot and its sequel, God of War Ragnarök, into a massive scavenger hunt. They didn't just hide things; they wove them into the lore. If you’re looking for "Artifacts," you aren't just picking up junk. You’re finding pieces of history that Mimir will actually comment on. It’s brilliant. It's also incredibly frustrating if you don’t know where to look.
Why God of War Collectibles Are Actually Worth the Headache
Most games use collectibles as filler. They’re just "things" to grab to extend the playtime. In the Norse era of God of War, however, the collectibles serve a mechanical purpose. Take the Idunn Apples and Horns of Blood Mead. You find these inside Nornir Chests. If you ignore them, Kratos stays squishy. His health bar stays small. His Rage meter barely moves. By the time you hit the endgame bosses—looking at you, Sigrun and Gna—you will regret every chest you walked past.
Then you have the Odin’s Ravens. There are 51 of them in the 2018 game and 48 in Ragnarök. They aren't just for show. In the sequel, killing them actually unlocks specific chests at The Raven Tree in Niflheim. These chests contain some of the best armor sets in the game, like the Raven Tears set, which heals you when you deal damage. It's a gameplay loop that rewards the "completionist" mindset with actual power.
The Frustration of the Point of No Return
One thing people get wrong is thinking they can get everything on the first pass. You can’t. Stop trying. The game is built like a "Metroidvania." You see a red vine? You can’t cut it yet. You see a blue spark? You don't have the tool for that. You’ll spend forty minutes trying to parkour your way into an area that is literally locked behind a story beat that happens ten hours later.
Basically, the best way to handle God of War collectibles is to play the main story until you unlock the Spear (in Ragnarök) or the Light Arrows (in 2018). Once you have the full toolkit, the realms open up.
Hunting the Artifacts and Lore Shrines
Artifacts are the most "traditional" collectible. In the first game, you’re looking for sets like "Lost and Found" or "Faces of Magic." In Ragnarök, they shifted toward things like "Kvasir’s Poems." If you look closely at the covers of those poems, they’re actually Easter eggs for other PlayStation games. One is clearly The Last of Us, another is Horizon. It’s a nice meta-nod from the developers.
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Lore Markers and Jötnar Shrines are different. These don't give you gear, but they give you the story. If you want to understand why the Giants left Midgard or what Faye was really up to, you have to find these. They’re usually tucked behind breakable wooden boards or down a side path that looks like a dead end.
- Midgard: Look for the "Abandoned Ship" artifacts. They tell a grim story of the Desolation.
- Alfheim: This place is a nightmare for completionists. The shifting sands hide things that only appear after you finish specific side quests (Favors).
- Helheim: It’s linear, but if you miss something, you often have to backtrack through the entire cold hellscape to get it.
The Nornir Chests: The Real Skill Test
Nornir Chests are the "puzzle" collectibles. You’ve seen them—the stone trunks with three glowing runes. To open them, you usually have to find three hidden seals in the environment and smash them. Sometimes you have to light torches. Sometimes you have to hit spinning poles to match the runes.
The difficulty spikes significantly in the later areas. In Vanaheim, some Nornir Chests require you to use Sigil Arrows to create a chain reaction of fire. It’s not just about finding the chest; it’s about having the spatial awareness to solve the environmental riddle.
A lot of players get stuck on the timed bells. You have to hit all three before the first one stops ringing. Pro tip: look for the bell that rings the longest and hit that one last. Or, more realistically, position yourself so you have a clear line of sight to all three before you throw the Leviathan Axe.
Missing Ravens and the "Map Ghost" Phenomenon
There is nothing worse than seeing "9/10 Ravens" on your map. You’ve checked every corner. You’ve looked up. You’ve looked down.
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The developers at Santa Monica Studio love hiding Ravens in the "loading" zones—those narrow cracks Kratos squeezes through or the boat tunnels. If you’re in a boat, look at the ceiling. In the Lake of Nine, the water level changes twice during the story. This literally changes which collectibles are accessible. If you can't find a Raven or an Artifact, it might be because it's currently underwater. Just keep playing.
How to Effectively Clean Up the Realms
If you are going for the Platinum, do not do it realm by realm as you play. That is the fastest way to burn out. Instead, follow this flow:
- Finish the Main Quest: This ensures every gate, door, and elemental barrier can be bypassed.
- Focus on "Favors": Many God of War collectibles are located inside areas only accessible during side quests. If you don't do the "Weight of Chains" Favor in Svartalfheim, you'll never get 100% in that region.
- Use the Map Filters: The in-game map is actually decent. It breaks down exactly what is missing: "Legendary Chests," "Lore," "Artifacts," etc.
- Listen to Mimir: He actually gives hints. If you’re near something important, the characters might comment on it.
The "Buried Treasure" maps are another layer. You find a scroll, which gives you a sketch of a location. You then have to find that exact spot in the world to dig up the loot. Usually, it's near a recognizable landmark, like a giant ribcage or a specific statue. The reward is often a rare enchantment or crafting material you can't get anywhere else.
Actionable Steps for Completionists
Don't let the sheer volume of items overwhelm you. Start small.
First, go to your map and check your percentages. Identify which realm is closest to 100% and finish that one first to build momentum. If you're missing Nornir Chests, prioritize finding them because the stat boosts make the remaining combat encounters much easier.
Second, if you’re playing Ragnarök, visit the blacksmith frequently. Some collectibles, like the "Lost Pages," allow you to craft specific hilts and armor. You don't want to finish the whole game and then realize you had the recipe for a god-tier item the whole time.
Lastly, pay attention to the sound. The game uses 3D audio cues for almost all God of War collectibles. The Ravens have a distinct crystal-like chirp. The Artifacts have a soft shimmering sound. If you play with headphones, you can literally "hear" your way to the 100% completion mark. It’s much more effective than just aimlessly running around the woods.