You're standing in front of a giant tree, an axe in your hand, and a kid who looks like he’s never seen a day of sunlight in his life. That’s how it starts. If you’re looking for a God of War 2018 walkthrough, you probably figured out pretty quickly that this isn’t the button-mashing chaos of the older games. It’s slower. It’s heavier. Honestly, it’s a bit overwhelming when you first realize how much stuff is tucked away in the corners of Midgard.
Kratos isn't just a rage monster anymore. He's a tired dad.
The game does a decent job of pointing you toward the mountain, but if you just follow the golden path, you are going to get absolutely wrecked by the first Ancient or Traveler you stumble across. I've spent hundreds of hours in this version of the Norse realms, and the biggest mistake people make is rushing the main quest. You can't. Well, you can, but you'll be playing on "Give Me a Challenge" with gear that’s basically made of cardboard.
The Early Game Grind: Why You Need to Explore
The journey begins in The Wildwoods. It’s linear. It’s basically a tutorial disguised as a funeral. But once you hit the Lake of Nine, the game cracks wide open. This is where a real God of War 2018 walkthrough actually matters. The water level drops, revealing towers, beaches, and caves that the game doesn't force you to visit.
Go to them anyway.
Specifically, look for the Brazen Plaque and the Muspelheim/Niflheim cipher pieces. You won’t be able to go to those realms yet, but finding the chests early saves you a massive headache later. Also, pay attention to the ravens. Odin’s "eyes" are everywhere, and while they’re annoying to hit with the Leviathan Axe, the XP adds up. You need that XP for skills. Don't waste your early points on the shield combat unless you're a parry god. Focus on the axe throws. Being able to freeze an enemy in place while you punch another one into a wall is a top-tier strategy.
Mastering the Leviathan Axe
The axe feels heavy because it is. Every hit has weight. When you’re fighting the first boss—the stranger at the door—you realize that dodging is actually more important than swinging. If you’re coming from Elden Ring or Dark Souls, you’ll get the timing, but it’s more forgiving here.
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Atreus is your best weapon. Seriously.
Early on, he’s just "Boy," and his arrows do almost zero damage. But his ability to distract enemies is life-saving. If an enemy is glowing red, you can't block it. You have to roll. If they're yellow, you can parry, but the timing is tight. Most players forget that you can also use Kratos' fists to build up the stun meter. Once that bar under the enemy's health fills up, press R3. The execution animations aren't just for show; they give you a moment of invulnerability while the animation plays out.
The Lake of Nine and Side Quests
Once the world opens up, you’ll meet Brok and Sindri. These two are the heart of the gear system. Don't get too attached to your starting armor. Basically, if a piece of gear has more enchantment slots, it’s better. Even if the base stats look slightly lower, the ability to slot in gems that give you perks—like a chance to trigger a healing burst—is way more valuable than a +2 to Strength.
The "Wayfaring" quests from the spirits around the lake are worth doing. They're a bit fetch-questy, I know. But they lead you to some of the best early-game enchantments. Plus, you get to hear Kratos be grumpy at ghosts, which is always entertaining.
Dealing with the Revenants
Revenants are the worst. They teleport, they scream, and they're generally a pain in the neck. If you try to hit them with the axe while they’re "cloudy," you’ll miss every time. This is where Atreus comes in. You have to hit them with an arrow first to stun them out of their mist form, then move in for the kill.
As you progress through the God of War 2018 walkthrough, you'll realize the game is a giant gear check. If an enemy has a purple health bar, they are way higher level than you. You can kill them, but it’ll take twenty minutes and one mistake will send you back to the checkpoint. Just come back later when your gear score is higher.
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Alfheim and the Light of the World
Alfheim is beautiful, but the Dark Elves are aggressive. This section of the walkthrough is mostly about crowd control. The Dark Elf King, Svartaljofurr, is the first real skill check in the game. He blinds you. He flies. He leaves explosive mines on the ground.
Tip: Keep the camera on him. If you lose sight of him, you’re dead. Use the "Atreus Summon" as soon as you get it. The crows or the wolves can stagger him long enough for you to get a heavy runic attack off. Speaking of runic attacks, "Hel's Touch" is an early-game gem. It's fast, it interrupts everything, and it has a low cooldown.
The Mid-Game Shift
Somewhere around the halfway point, the story takes a massive turn. You’ll know when it happens because the sky changes and Kratos has to dig up his past. At this point, you get a second weapon. I won't spoil the specifics if somehow you've avoided the internet for six years, but this weapon changes the combat flow entirely. It’s better for groups. The axe is for single targets; the other weapon is for clearing the room.
The Valkyries: The Real End Game
You’ll find "Hidden Chambers of Odin" early on. Inside are the Valkyries. Do not try to fight them as soon as you find them. You will lose. These are the hardest bosses in the game, culminating in the fight against Sigrun, the Valkyrie Queen.
To beat them, you need:
- A fully upgraded set of Ivaldi’s armor (from Niflheim).
- A Resurrection Stone (buy these from Brok).
- Perfect timing on your dodges.
Each Valkyrie has a specific move set. One focuses on fire, one on ice, one on blinding light. The most dangerous move is the "Valhalla" stomp. If you hear them scream "Valhalla," roll immediately. If you're a millisecond late, they’ll jump on your neck and take 70% of your health.
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Navigating Niflheim and Muspelheim
These are optional realms, but they aren't really optional if you want to be powerful. Muspelheim is a series of combat trials. Some are easy (kill enemies quickly), some are "sorta" annoying (don't take damage).
Niflheim is a procedurally generated maze filled with toxic mist. You have a timer. If it runs out, you die and lose everything you gathered in that run. It’s a grind. There’s no way around it. You need to gather Mist Echoes to craft the best armor in the game. The trick is to not get greedy. Do two or three rooms, then run back to the start to "bank" your echoes.
Vital Tips for Every Player
- Sell Your Old Gear: You don't need it. Once you craft something better, sell the old stuff to Brok or Sindri for Hacksilver. You can always buy it back later if you’re a completionist.
- Read the Bestiary: Atreus writes notes on every enemy. If you're struggling with a specific type of Draugr, check the journal. It usually tells you their weakness.
- Use the Environment: See a hanging fire pot? Hit it. A giant rock on a crane? Drop it. The game rewards you for being observant.
- Health Bursts: Don't just pick up health stones the second you see them. If your health is at 90%, leave them on the ground. They stay there. You might need them when the fight gets harder.
How to Handle the Finale
The final climb up the mountain and the eventual trip to Jotunheim is more about the story than the difficulty. If you’ve been upgrading your gear and doing the side missions (the "Favors"), the final boss shouldn't give you too much trouble. It’s a multi-stage fight that uses every mechanic you’ve learned—swapping weapons, using Atreus’ arrows, and triggering Spartan Rage at the right time.
Don't forget to go home after the credits roll. There’s a "secret" ending that sets up the sequel, and you don’t want to miss it.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Journey
- Check your Map: Look for the percentage completion of each area. If you're under 50% in the Lake of Nine, go back and explore the islands.
- Upgrade Atreus First: His Talon Bow upgrades are cheaper than Kratos' armor and often more impactful in mid-game combat.
- Hunt the Idunn Apples: There are 9 of them in Nornir Chests. Finding them increases your maximum health permanently. Without these, the late-game bosses will one-shot you.
- Focus on Cooldown: In your gear stats, Strength is great, but Cooldown allows you to use your Runic attacks more often. A high-cooldown build is often "broken" because you can just spam powerful moves.
The world of Midgard is dense. It’s built on verticality and secrets. Take your time, listen to Mimir’s stories in the boat, and don't rush. The "true" God of War 2018 experience isn't just reaching the end; it's becoming the powerhouse that the legends say Kratos is.