Hunting for God of War trophies isn't just about a digital icon on your PSN profile. It’s different. Most games treat trophies like a chore list—collect 100 feathers, find every random chest, or play the campaign on a difficulty that makes you want to throw your controller out a window. But Santa Monica Studio did something weird with the 2018 reboot and God of War Ragnarök. They made the trophies feel like an extension of the story. You aren’t just "completing" a game; you’re actually finishing Kratos’ journey.
Honestly, if you’ve ever stared at a 98% completion screen and felt a pit in your stomach because that one final task is a buggy mess, you know the pain. God of War doesn't really do that. It respects your time, mostly.
The Valkyries and the "Git Gud" Barrier
Most people who start the God of War trophies hunt hit a wall. Her name is Sigrun.
In the 2018 game, the "Chooser of the Slain" trophy is basically the gatekeeper. To get it, you have to defeat the eight Valkyries hidden across the realms and then take down their Queen. This isn't just a combat challenge. It’s a test of everything you’ve learned about the game’s mechanics. You can't button-mash your way through Sigrun. She has a massive move pool, and if you don't recognize the "Valhalla!" jump-stomp in half a second, you're dead.
The beauty of this specific trophy is that it’s technically optional, but it contains some of the best lore in the game. You learn about Freya’s past, the corruption of the realms, and the hierarchy of Odin’s forces. It’s "difficult," sure. But it’s fair. When that gold trophy finally pops, you feel like you’ve actually earned the title of God of War.
Why God of War Ragnarök Changed the Formula
When Ragnarök dropped in 2022, trophy hunters noticed a shift. It felt... more accessible? Not easier, necessarily, but less grindy.
Think back to the first game’s "Fire and Brimstone" or "Darkness and Fog" trophies. You had to spend hours in Muspelheim and Niflheim doing repetitive trials and grinding for Mist Echoes. It was a bit of a slog. In Ragnarök, the developers smoothed those edges. The Muspelheim trials are still there, but they’re streamlined. You don't have to spend a week in a poison maze just to check off a box.
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The "Gna" boss fight in the sequel serves as the spiritual successor to Sigrun. She’s brutal. She’s fast. She will ruin your evening. But by the time you reach her, the game has naturally geared you up. This is the hallmark of great trophy design: the platinum trophy shouldn't require a Wiki guide open on your phone for 40 hours. It should happen because you wanted to see every corner of the world.
The Missable Trophy Myth
One of the biggest anxieties for trophy hunters is the "missable." There is nothing worse than finishing a 60-hour RPG only to realize you missed a collectible in a prologue area that is now locked forever.
Thankfully, the modern God of War trophies are designed to be "missable-proof."
You can beat the entire story, watch the credits roll, and then go back to finish every single favor and find every artifact. This design choice is a godsend. It lets you actually enjoy the emotional weight of Kratos and Atreus' relationship without worrying about whether you poked every glowing raven in a specific cave.
A few things to watch for:
- The Ravens: Odin's eyes are everywhere. In the 2018 game, there are 51. In Ragnarök, there are 48. They make a specific metallic screeching sound. Listen for it. Don't just look.
- Artifact Sets: These are the primary "collectible" trophies. Usually, they sell for a decent amount of hacksilver, so they actually help your build while you hunt.
- The Berserkers: In Ragnarök, these replaced the Valkyries. The "Grave Mistake" trophy is the one that will test your patience. Pro tip: Don't fight the triple-boss Berserker encounter until you are at least level 8. Just don't.
The Narrative Weight of "Father and Son"
The Platinum trophy for the 2018 game is titled "Father and Son." It’s poetic. By the time you’ve collected every Jotnar shrine and killed every Raven, you’ve witnessed the full evolution of their bond.
A lot of people complain that trophies are "artificial longevity." In many games, they are. But here, they act as a guide to the world-building. If you didn't go for the "Museum Curator" trophy, you’d miss out on the tiny bits of dialogue where Kratos reflects on his Greek past. You’d miss the stories Mimir tells while you’re rowing the boat. These aren't just tasks; they are the connective tissue of the Norse saga.
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Breaking Down the Difficulty Requirements
Here is a detail that surprises a lot of new players: you can Platinum both modern God of War games on "Give Me a Story" difficulty.
Unlike the older PS2 and PS3 titles—which often required a "Titan" or "God" mode playthrough—the new era doesn't lock the Platinum behind a difficulty wall. This is a divisive topic in the trophy community. Some "hardcore" hunters think it devalues the Platinum. Others argue that it makes the game more inclusive.
Personally? It’s a smart move. The combat in these games is deep enough that even on "Balanced" difficulty, the end-game bosses are a legitimate challenge. Forcing a player through "Give Me God of War" difficulty for a trophy would turn a fun hunt into a miserable grind for 95% of the player base.
The "Beyond Ragnarök" Update
If you’re looking at your trophy list and seeing a lower percentage even though you got the Platinum, it’s probably because of the Valhalla DLC.
This was a free update (which is still wild to think about) that added a roguelite mode to the game. It came with its own set of trophies. They aren't required for the Platinum, but they are essential for completionists. The "God of Hope" trophy is the big one here. It requires you to master the loop of the DLC and face Kratos' past. It’s arguably some of the best content Santa Monica has ever produced, and the trophies provide a perfect excuse to go back.
Practical Steps for Your Trophy Run
If you’re just starting your hunt for God of War trophies, don’t overthink it.
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First, just play the story. Seriously. Enjoy the ride. You cannot get most of the collectibles early on anyway because you lack the specific tools—like the blades, the spear, or the specialized arrows—needed to clear paths.
Once the world opens up, focus on the "Favors" (side quests). These usually lead you directly to the locations of artifacts, ravens, and legendary chests. If you do the side quests as they appear, you’ll be about 80% of the way to a Platinum by the time you hit the finale.
The last 20% is the cleanup. This is where you go back to Niflheim or Muspelheim to finish the combat trials. Keep an eye on your map; the regional completion checklists are incredibly accurate. If a region says "2/3 Artifacts," you know exactly where to look.
Ultimately, the God of War Platinum is a badge of honor because it represents a complete experience. It’s one of the few games where I felt like the developers actually wanted me to see everything they built, rather than just making me work for a digital trophy.
To maximize your efficiency, keep a manual save before the final mission just in case, though the post-game "free roam" is robust. Focus on upgrading the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos fully as early as possible, as these are tied to specific trophies and make the end-game boss hunts significantly less punishing. Once you've cleared the main path, tackle the remaining realms one by one rather than jumping around; it helps you stay focused on the specific lore and collectible patterns of that area.