The reviews are in, and it looks like God of War is all it is cracked up to be. While we did find some issues with it in a previous article —hey it’s always good to have a balanced viewpoint—it seems the pros far outweigh the cons. Photo-realistic landscapes, a heart-wrenching story involving father and son, memorable enemies, and the call-back to a few features that made the franchise well-known can be found in this game. For the most part, the story is captivating enough to keep newcomers and veterans of the game happy.

Now, as we enter the third week of the game’s entrance into the “gamer-sphere,” players are starting to pick up on tricks that make navigating the game a lot easier and even more entertaining.

The most refreshing aspect of any video game is having the opportunity to explore and discover new things that were not readily noticeable before. God of War is such an expansive game that players have their pick for the type of experience they want to have. The tasks are complicated, and the puzzles challenging, and there are tons of runes to pick up throughout the map. Some areas even require you to have specific items before moving forward. So, what are the pros up to when it comes to traversing through this game? Here are 25 awesome things players can do in God of War.\

25 It Wasn’t Just For Decoration

via polygon.com

Everyone loves collector’s editions. They are more expensive, but they often come with fresh items that players could not get anywhere else. Admittedly, some products do strike out by not delivering on the promise of cool gear. A hefty $90 for something that isn’t even useful? We’ll pass on that as well. However, God of War’s collector’s edition did an excellent job of giving fans items that enhanced the story, while also providing them with something they could use in the game. The cloth map that goes along with the collector’s edition is not just there for decoration, but it is actually a real map.

Are we going on a real treasure hunt?

There are runes adorned throughout the map that also reveal letters that represent directions that players should go to for a piece of really valuable treasure. Okay, this excellent item provides something all of us have sought since we were kids…a treasure adventure. Remember playing with your friends and acting on neighborhood legends of maps and goodies? This is a direct throwback to a simpler time, while also giving fans a new adventure within the same game. Judging from the response, players are pretty elated with the inclusion of this item, and we can’t wait to see more of the secrets coming from this game.

24 Get Unlimited XP

via youtube.com (UglyHouse Studios)

What is the first cheat players are going to go for in a video game? You guessed it…unlimited XP. Think about how hyped gamers were when the infinite health cheat was uncovered in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Some of us like the challenge of earning XP through traditional means and fighting our way to the top. Others of us don’t mind a little help in reaching the end of the game. There is no shame or judgment to either approach. Some parts of the game require you have a high XP level to access certain bosses and areas, so we don’t blame players for exploiting a code.

However, God of War seems like a pretty tight game that would not include any easy exploits like this…is there a way for players to nab some unlimited XP? Well, the answer is yes. This game has hours upon hours of material, so there were a lot of opportunities for gamers to put some time into finding cheats. Players can receive an unlimited number of XP by using the shield parry and loading checkpoint trick. Now, once the developers of the game hear about this, they will likely put a stop to it, so get in on it while you can.

23 Max Out Executions (And Trigger New Animations)

via gamespot.com

God of War is known for its brutal execution animations. The developers put a lot of thought into how players are experiencing the viciousness and violence of Kratos. If you didn’t feel squeamish or even a little disturbed by some of the things Kratos does to his enemies, well you deserve a reward for a strong stomach. However, even the coolest animation can lose its shine after a while. It can be tiresome to see the same finishes over and over again. You become desensitized to watching Kratos rip someone’s head off, or dislocate other limbs from bodies.

Why do people keep crossing this guy?

The developers knew this and created a way for players to access more animations to add some variety to finishing moves and execution animations. God of War PS4 allows players to unlock more execution animations. If players go to the skill tree and open one of the close combat skills that give a charge attack on R1 using Leviathan Axe they can do more damage and trigger more animations. Now, you get the chance to enjoy even more carnage while putting an end to enemies even faster. Wow, this game is becoming an answer to so many dreams.

22 Find The Best Armor In The Game

via gamesradar.com

One of the really excellent things about God of War is the almost endless supply of items. While other games require players to level up to “purchase” items from a merchant, this game turns the attainment of armor into a quest. There are so many hidden items that players will not get easily get tired of this game. However, the only drawback to some of this is that you have to complete a good portion of the game before you can even seek out these adventures. Some players estimate that it takes a good four to five hours before many opportunities such as this open up.

You will need that time to get prepared for what's next...

Once players unlock a good chunk of the game, they can find three specific runes and return to the Bifrost area; they can then go on to Mupelheim and Niflheim to retrieve the what many say is the game’s most powerful armor. There are many times in video games where the quest to retrieve “the best armor around” really turns out not to be worth it. However, from what we have seen in YouTube playthroughs, this armor is worth the trek. So, carve out some time and start the journey, you will be thankful you did.

21 Use Cliffs Without The Worry Of Losing Loot

via usgamer.net

Okay, so who remembers that epic scene from 300? King Leonidas is fed up with the antics of the enemy. He reminds them who is boss by yelling out the iconic phrase “This is Sparta!” He then amazingly kicks the guy right into this huge hole to his death. In the movie, this scene rocks. However, it also looks like it could have been lifted straight from a video game like God of War. If it were, King Leonidas would have missed out on some sweet loot.

Most games are not intuitive enough to allow players to quickly capture loot that comes from eliminating an enemy once they are kicked off a cliff, or other high location. It has always been a significant problem among gamers to kick enemies off the cliff and lost the loot. Finally, someone figured out this issue and decided to put a stop to it. God of War developers changed this by making sure loot is left on the cliff or platforms that enemies are kicked off of. It is even neatly positioned away from the edge of the cliff, so players do not have to worry about falling off the edge to grab it.

20 Talk About Seething

via youtube.com (Just Lenny-Oh)

Other than the Blades of Chaos, one of Kratos’ most defining features is his Spartan Rage. Think about it, how awesome would it be to turn on the part of yourself that had unlimited energy, health, and insane stamina? Now, the elimination of other people would be a bit of a drawback outside of Kratos’ world, but it is a cool attribute to think of having in reality. While many were worried about this “new” Kratos missing out on his aggression, developers did an excellent job of balancing his certain calmness with the angry Spartan we have all come to know and love.

One of these ways is including Spartan Rage in this game. Another cool aspect of this is that developers gave gamers the opportunity to attach combos to Kratos’ rage mode. There are numerous attacks that players can purchase, but one of the most effective is the Seething Earth. During Spartan Rage if players press L2, they can hurl a large boulder from the ground that breaks apart and deals massive damage. It can be a pretty useful aerial and ground attack. There are also many more attacks that players can add on to the already insane Spartan Rage.

19 Use Your Kid

via sonyers.com

In the real world, we would never advise you to use your kid in combat. However, we are fortunately talking about a virtual world where almost anything is possible and as far-fetched as it seems…Kratos’ son Atreus is the cat’s pajamas when it comes to backing up his old man. This kid is not just some throwaway NPC that needs more attention than is appropriate for the game. Atreus is a valuable asset in this game. If you are still trying to figure out how to take care of aerial enemies and save time on attacks, Atreus is your man.

Players may feel the Leviathan ax is the only way to take down airborne enemies, but this could not be further from the truth. Atreus is faster and more effective at taking down enemies in the air. All players have to do is look the way of the enemy and press square to let the “Boy” take care of them. It is not hard to see how Atreus could become a great warrior just like his dad someday. He even puts the father and son team of Rick and Carl Grimes to same…oh is it still too soon?

18 Know When To Retread

via usgamer.net

As stated above, this game is enormous. Once you complete the game, you have really only completed a minuscule amount of the game. There is a lot that players will have to do to get to 100 percent completion, but this is not a bad thing. You don’t have to leave this awesome game anytime soon. The developers packed the right amount of lore, quests, puzzles, and boss battles in the game for those who want to continue their time with Kratos beyond the final battle. Since the game is not really over at “the end,” players should make an effort to retread their steps to see what options are now open to them.

"The End" never really means the end of the story in gaming nowadays. 

The game is intuitive in that it helps gamers know when to retread and go back to get some really cool stuff. Specific areas and landmarks are color coded, and these codes let players know to come back when they have attained particular items. It is always a drag to have to put a location in your mental Rolodex or guess at a location’s value by placing markers to return. Here, the game does all this for you; if only real life could be this easy.

17 Enjoy Little Kid Humor

via dontfeedthegamers.com

Gaming is a serious thing; we get that. However, there are times when it helps to have a little levity in the situation. Games like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and even Skyrim are known for their seriousness. One impressive thing about the God of War franchise is the balance between being funny and being serious. Who can’t remember Kratos saying something vile that could also be taken as hilarious? Many were worried by the look of this game, that it would lose that comedic flair that Kratos infused into the game. Fortunately, the developers realized this and decided to add in some comic relief.

Everything is not all business when it comes to this God of War. Every time Kratos fights an enemy, the character is included in a codex. Atreus is the writer for this codex, and even contains some hilarious commentary of what is going on. The comedic duties have been passed on from father to son, and we can’t help but enjoy some of the viewpoints of Atreus. It is easy to forget that this warrior-in-training is also a kid, so it is refreshing to see him keep some of that child-like hilarity. So, read the codex and take some time to laugh.

16 Capture The Dew

via youtube.com (MKIceandFire)

Many were not very optimistic about the use of “boat travel” in the game. A major developer on the game commented that traveling by boat would take up 30 percent of the runtime, and many were not very happy about this revelation. He later recanted the statement, but many were left wondering if it could be true, and how traveling on a boat could ever be exciting or of value. Well, going by boat is not a waste of time. In addition to the insightful dialogue between Kratos and his son, there are some items strewn about the water locations that can really help players level up.

Water truly is the "essence" of life. 

Wondering what those glowing water orbs are in the water? They are small but permanent upgrades on a single stat. This may not seem like a big deal, but if you spend a play session just floating around, you may find a large number of these that you can use to upgrade to weapons or attacks. So, we suggest taking some time to explore the lakes for some glowing orbs. Also, let’s be honest, this game is so realistic, you will feel as if you are rowing yourself. So, capture the dew orbs!

15 Make Work Of Odin’s Ravens

via tldrgames.com

Okay, so when we heard the name Odin, we immediately jumped in excitement. It shows that this franchise is serious about going deep into the Norse lore. This game gives players a lot of opportunities to boost their XP besides just fighting enemies. We appreciate this variety. While it is fun to encounter a new boss, and strategically take them down, it is also nice to have the option to explore the area and gather XP as you make your way to grab a new item or piece of armor. You have to be aware of your surroundings and know that can get you that extra XP boost.

If you have been playing the game and hearing some weird and distinctive cawing, that is not your imagination. Odin has some spectral pet ravens that make their way around the map as Kratos and his son make their journey. If players shoot these creatures down, then they will receive a little burst of XP. They honestly look like ghosts which makes the exchange even creepier. Did Odin have a bunch of ravens that died? Are you contributing to a second death for them? Ugh, we just became kind of sad about this one.

14 Boomerang That Ax

via polygon.com

The Leviathan Ax has been a polarizing addition to the game. In a way, it has almost set a dividing line between those that love the new game, and those that miss the God of War of the past. This new weapon represents Kratos’ new journey. While, the Blades of Chaos do make an appearance later in the game, for the most part, the Leviathan Ax is his new go-to. It behaves a lot like Thor’s hammer, in the players can throw it and call it back. There will always be critics of this weapon, but for the most part, we can see its effectiveness.

A worthy follow-up to the Blades

There is a trick that players can use to get the maximum usage out of this thing. If you are in a bind throwing the Leviathan Ax is still a smart decision. It gives you range and can create distance between you and an enemy. However, this is not the only thing this ax is good for. Once players throw the ax and trigger the retrieval, they can curve the trajectory of the return to hit more enemies and do more damage all around. It primarily acts like a boomerang. Um, how cool is that?

13 Enjoy A Demon's Souls Reference

via polygon.com

The developers of this game were serious about their references. They do include references to the games in the God of War universe, but they also make a point to shout out other video game franchises. One gamer noted how the hole Kratos has to put his son through in a specific moment of the game looks a lot like a hole in BioShock that enemies would come through. It may just be a typical hole, but the resemblance is striking. The developers didn’t stop there; they made a callback to a game that is an inspiration for this new journey in God of War.

Everyone remembers those awful crystal lizards from Demon's Souls. Well, God of War referred to these creatures by including an enemy with a similar look to these lizards. While they are challenging, they are not as robust as the Demon Souls version. We don’t think anything can be as terrible as anything from Demon Souls. These lizards are worth a go of it as they also drop rare loot, so be on the lookout for their presence in the game. The inclusion of these creatures does support the widely held notion that this game features similar combat styles to Demon's Souls.

12 Shoulder Lean…

via playstation.com

Let’s just take a moment to appreciate how much of an “OG” Kratos is. This guy loses his family, take on the gods of Olympus, has to wear the ashes of his dead loved ones for life, and then is somehow transported to another legendary realm. He doesn’t miss a beat. We see a man who has seen the horrors of war and knows the trouble with revenge. We see a Kratos who has become balanced and is now made to care about someone else, his son. This guy has been through a lot, but his rage had quieted. It is still here —which we awesomely get to see— but he is wiser and a little more controlled. It is the natural progression of a character who has seen too much and lived to tell about it.

He is a "balanced" fighting machine now. 

One could argue that this is the first hint of character development for Kratos in the series. While he has become a bit more balanced, this guy is still a rage-filled warrior that knows how to put enemies away. There is a nice and effective combat move that players can purchase to put Kratos’ rage to work. If players have 2000 XP to spare, they can sprint bare-handed and press R2 to send enemies flying back with a good ‘ol shoulder lean from “OG” Kratos.

11 Is Kratos The Only One?

via dontfeedthegamers.com

This is one of those philosophical questions that plague games like these. Is Kratos the only person who has gone through something like this? This new game in the series reveals that the different mythological worlds must reside in the same universe. So, are there other gods meddling in the lives of others? We may have the answer to this question in the form of a cool Easter egg that fans have noticed. If players make the second visit to Helheim, they will discover an excellent piece of the story that may support the theory that either Kratos is not the only one, or he has traveled to various other cultures.

There is a cave drawing that includes symbols for a “God of War” associated with multiple cultures: Egyptian, Japanese, Greek, and Celtic. There could be other iterations of characters who have gone through a similar situation. This discovery is significant for the franchise! Will Kratos get the opportunity to travel to Egypt or Japan and interact with their mythological gods? Have we just witnessed the future of the series in this small Easter egg? We cannot help but be excited at what this could mean for God of War.

10 Is This Infinity War?

via shacknews.com

Alright, so we are not going to spoil Infinity War. We are going to draw some parallels between the general idea of the movie and an Easter egg in God of War. There is basically an Infinity gauntlet that players can grab that looks strikingly similar to the ones the Avengers are also trying to catch. The Shattered Gauntlet of Ages is an ancient relic from Hel. It was seen as too powerful to remain whole, so its shards were scattered all over the land. Once players find all the pieces, they will get a piece of equipment that will have enemies screaming “Op!”

Maybe the Avengers should have enlisted Kratos' help. 

If players upgrade this relic to the max, they can shoot projectiles from their fist that not only knock enemies back but also drain them of 50 percent of their health off the bat. Okay, so this gets even deeper because there is a secret ending that reveals that Thor has come back to the land. Is there a hidden connection between this and Marvel? Will we see an additional Easter egg of the Avengers coming to grab the Shattered Gauntlet? There are so many possibilities, but maybe we are just geeking out too much.

9 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

via godofwar.wikia.com

Kratos never shies away from a battle. Whether it is for his son, or for honor, he can throw down at a moment’s notice. Therefore, you must check out all the optional bosses in the game and make work of them. God of War has a lot of optional bosses that vary in difficulty. One that players can try their skill on is the secret Valkyrie boss named Sigrun. This boss is considered one of (if not) the hardest of the game. Once players complete the main story, they can find Sigrun to see if they have what it takes.

Again, we applaud that fact that this game is not phoning it in when it comes to after-game content. They are giving players a chance to challenge themselves and continue the journey. From what we understand, Sigrun is no joke. She is difficult and will give the player a run for their money. However, this is the fun in God of War. It is interesting that it is taking a similar approach to the last Dark Souls installment, in that many of the game’s toughest bosses were optional. Whatever the case, players have the opportunity to put their money where their mouth is.

8 Get Epic Protection

via youtube.com (TheGamesEntertainer)

One of the most annoying things ever is when you have started to put together the ultimate combo, and you have saved up enough of your energy to put on a finishing move to only have it be interrupted by an ill-timed hit from an enemy. You have just wasted time, some likely XP, and your confidence. What if there was a tool you could use to prevent this from happening? Well, the developers have you covered with a rare talisman that will come in handy against enemies like Sigrun. Aegir’s Protection is a talisman with significant power that players should strive to grab.

There should be punishment for the interruption of an epic attack!

It creates a small defensive zone that keeps Kratos’ attacks from being interrupted. Players also take less damage if they are hit by an enemy. It’s leading and less well-known quality is that players can get their health back as long as they stay in the zone it covers. So, not only will this thing give you the power to pull off a finishing move, but it will also allow you to keep your health regenerated even if you are facing a violent onslaught. We like the balance between keeping things challenging, and giving players the tools they need to navigate the game.

7 Say Hello To An Old Friend

via screenrant.com

We just get the chills when we think about the infamous Blades of Chaos. They facilitated so many brutal combos and were with Kratos throughout his journey of revenge. We were a bit bummed when we first heard the news that this formidable weapon would not be included in this installment. While initial news conveyed that the Blades of Chaos were not included in the game, old school God of War players will be happy to know they are accessible. Players can attain the trophy “Hello Old Friend” and the Blade of Chaos toward the end of the game. While these are not necessarily difficult to get, the epic nature of the moment deserves a shout out.

Players can also fully upgrade the blades at the end of the game. We love the Leviathan Axe, and we think it can do some significant damage. However, nothing can match the range and just sheer brutality of the Blades of Chaos. They make a character who is already powerful even more formidable. Plus, have we mentioned how cool these things look? We admire the fact that the developers understood how vital this weapon is to Kratos’ character and decided to allow them in this game.

6 Find Out Who “The Stranger” Is Much Earlier

via youtube.com (Zanar Aesthetics)

Baldur was not talked about much outside of the game. During interviews leading up the game’s release, his identity and motivations are a mystery. He does show up a few times early on in the game, but the extent of his power and identity is not revealed until much later. It would be nice to have a bit of a hint to who this guy is, and why he is terrorizing Kratos and his son. Well, we always love a good foreshadow that adds context to why a villain will be a problem later on. Players may think that no such thing exists, but we are here to show it does.

"The Stranger" loses his mystique. 

During the first fight of the game, when players use Spartan rage to throw The Stranger against a stone slab, if player stop for a second and look, they will find out this same person will be their final enemy at Joutenheim. Players do not have much time to look at the slab since their Spartan Rage is temporary, but they have a few seconds to spare to glance at it. This is a nice way to set up the context for why Kratos should be wary of this guy.