2018’s critically acclaimed God of War invites players on an epic journey through Norse mythology, allowing exploration of various realms crucial to its captivating story and open-world environment. The game masterfully blends action-adventure elements with a compelling narrative following Kratos and his son Atreus as they embark on a quest to scatter his deceased wife’s ashes from the highest peak of the nine realms. But the question remains: Can You Travel To All Realms In God Of War?
While God of War references all nine realms, not all are accessible during gameplay. A significant portion are open for exploration, either as the main story progresses or through specific unlocking mechanisms. The game’s open-world structure provides ample opportunities for players to discover these fascinating locations and engage in thrilling combat scenarios.
Midgard, the largest realm, serves as the primary setting for most of the game’s narrative. Available from the beginning, it acts as the central hub for Kratos and Atreus’s adventure. In Old Norse, Midgard represents Earth, but beyond this familiar ground, five other realms beckon to be explored.
Accessible Realms in God of War
The five realms accessible throughout the game are:
- Alfheim
- Helheim
- Jotunheim
- Muspelheim
- Niflheim
Alfheim, the realm of light and dark elves, becomes accessible early in the game during “The Light of Alfheim” mission. Players journey to this mystical land to resolve a conflict that is vital to the game’s story.
Helheim, the chilling Norse underworld in God of War, is first visited during “The Sickness” mission. This icy domain is a crucial location in the game, and is where Kratos and Atreus face formidable challenges.
Muspelheim is a fiery realm, home to the formidable fire giants. This challenging realm offers unique trials and combat scenarios designed to test players’ skills, accessible via travel runes.
Niflheim, a mysterious realm shrouded in dangerous mist and gas, holds some of the game’s most valuable treasures, including powerful weapons. Players must navigate its treacherous environment to acquire these rewards, also accessible via travel runes.
To access Muspelheim and Niflheim, players must find realm travel runes by acquiring language ciphers scattered throughout Midgard. The fourth cipher only becomes available as the main story advances.
Jotunheim, the land of the giants, is the final realm Kratos and Atreus visit during the game’s main storyline. It becomes accessible only after the God of War’s story campaign has been completed.
The Unreachable Realms
Despite their prominent presence in the narrative, Asgard, Vanaheim, and Svartalfheim remain inaccessible in God of War. These realms are heavily referenced, sparking curiosity and anticipation for future installments in the God of War franchise, where they are likely to play a more significant role.
Even after completing God of War’s main storyline, the unlocked realms provide numerous opportunities to extend gameplay and challenge players’ skills and strategic thinking. The depth and richness of these accessible worlds contribute significantly to the game’s enduring appeal.
