If there’s one thing the God of War series is good for, it’s finding new and interesting ways to adapt the myths. They didn’t drop the ball in God of War: Ragnarok either, using even the smallest game components to reference something new, including the collectible artifacts.

One of the artifact sets is dedicated to the mythical poet Kvasir, a wise man who is already dead by the time we first discovered his poems. Not all is as it seems with them, however, as the poems are actually subtle references to different PlayStation-exclusive games. Between the content of the poem, the title, and the book’s cover, there are a lot of context clues given to figure them out.

Updated on March 2, 2024, by Marco Vito Oddo: Kvasir’s poems are one of the best collectibles in God of War: Ragnarok. It's also cool to see game developers paying their respect to other great titles in the industry, and it's even better when an AAA studio makes the effort to praise both high-budget and indie releases.

Yet, to fully understand all the references in Kvasir’s poems is no easy feat. First, you have to track them down by exploring every nook and cranny of the game. Then, you need to catch some not-so-subtle references to each game they refer to. Finding all the poems is a satisfying experience that improves your God of War: Ragnarok playthrough.

14 The Sunrise Of Nothingness

This poem references the popular Horizon: Zero Dawn. The creatures of metal in the air, on the seas, and on the land are the usual enemies you can find in the game. The warrior with hair red as blood of course refers to the game’s protagonist, Aloy. It even talks about her unknown past and other secrets she holds that are important to the game and the series as a whole. The sketch of the book’s cover even references the triangle motif seen throughout the game.

Where To Find The "The Sunrise Of Nothingness" Poem?

You can find this poem in the Aurvangar Wetlands in Svartalfheim. When you're on the river after exiting the first mystic gateway, it will be right next to the chain that opens one of the watergates that opens up the next area. You can't miss it once you've solved the puzzle.

13 Large Society Ground Orb, The Performance

You might recognize this as a retelling of a baseball game. That’s because this poem references MLB The Show, which was originally a PlayStation exclusive. Essentially, the two armies of nine are the two baseball teams, their bats are branches, and the nine nights and days refer to the nine innings in a game. Perhaps the most obvious way to determine this, however, is the last line of the poem about the team striking out, and the sketch looks almost exactly like a baseball.

Where To Find The "Large Society Ground Orb, The Performance" Poem?

Once you reach Nidavellir in Svartalfheim, the poem is visible when you dock. Unfortunately, it’s sealed off, and you don’t have the power for it when you first arrive. Head a little further into the city and meet up with Sindri, and he’ll give you the upgrade you need. Just don’t forget to turn back around after and pick it up from where it sits next to the chest.

12 We Who Remain, Part The Second

The Last of Us series is referenced in this poem. The first half seems to directly talk about the virus running amok in this post-apocalyptic society, especially when mentioning the disease of rotting bodies. The second half mentions a father and daughter pair, referencing Joel and Ellie, along with the long, painful story they’ve had to face together through both games. The book’s cover, while maybe not entirely recognizable at first, is a moth that has become a symbol throughout the games.

Where To Find The "We Who Remain, Part The Second" Poem?

In Svartalfheim’s Bay of Bounty, you can strike the drum at the Watchtower to unlock Lyngbakr Island. There’s a lot to explore and collect here, and of course, this Kvasir poem is here too. Climb your way to the top of the island, and on the platforms there you’ll find a chest and the poem on the ground.

11 Tool And Bang

This poem is a reference to Ratchet & Clank, the words of the title being direct synonyms for the two protagonists, alongside the first line with steel and fur. It talks about their relationship not only with each other but with people they meet along the way. The line with friends at their backs also talks about how Ratchet carries Clank along on his back during the journey. If you look at the cover too, you’ll see a symbol intended to resemble the two protagonists.

Where To Find The "Tool And Bang" Poem?

The Jarnsmida Pitmines in Svartalfheim hold this poem. There are tons of puzzles to solve in order to reach the inside of the mines, one of which involves a large crane. Solve this puzzle and swing yourself around the mine while on the crane in order to reach a small hidden area of the map. There, you’ll find the poem sitting among the tables and tools.

10 Afterlife Abandonment

If you’re not in the know, this poem references Death Stranding. While being a nice change of pace from the other lengthy poems, if you’ve never played the game, it will be next to impossible to understand properly. Even the introduction of the poem is a reference, talking about designer Hideo Kojima and how his games are complex and often bizarre. The drawing is very clearly a rough approximation of America, connecting together the colonies players are tasked with building in the game.

Where To Find The "Afterlife Abandonment" Poem?

The mystic gateway to Alfheim sets you down right in The Strond, where there’s plenty of room for exploration. With lots of ledges and crevices, there are a lot of collectibles as you make your way up to the temple. You’ll find this poem on one of these ledges alongside a legendary chest. Just break through the barricade blocking your path and you’ll be able to find it.

9 Visions After Rest

This poem references the lesser-known game Dreams. The imp mentioned in the poem and seen on the cover is the player-controlled character in the game. It also talks about how there is a wide range of possibilities in the game, only limited by one’s own imagination. This refers to the fact that players are given creative freedom, able to design and mix worlds that already exist in the game or new worlds of their own.

Where To Find The "Visions After Rest" Poem?

Alfheim’s Temple of Light holds this poem. Luckily, it’s not too hard to find. You’ll have to jump up onto a ledge to get the right angle to solve one of the early light doors. There’s a little bit of room to explore on the ledge, though, and it’s just around the corner up there that you’ll find the poem laying on the floor.

8 Spirits Within Walls

This poem references Concrete Genie. The protagonist is referenced by the gentle boy and his brush, and his graffiti art creations are playful sprites. The poem also references the gameplay and story, talking about how bringing color back to his hometown and bringing his art to life helps him save the town. The book cover sketch is probably the hardest to recognize, as it barely looks like anything. But the actual cover is an array of colors and a few drip marks that often accompanies graffiti.

Where To Find The "Spirits Within Walls" Poem?

This poem is in the Temple of Light in Alfheim, and isn’t too far from the last poem you can collect. In fact, it’s just at the next light door puzzle. Once you solve this puzzle, you can head through the door and find a small room off to the side of the main path. In there, you’ll find the poem.

7 Celestial Construct

If you’re lucky enough to have a PS5, you might recognize this one as Astro’s Playroom, a free game included with the console. The cover is, quite literally, Astro himself, a clear depiction of his face. There are several minigames within Astro's Playroom, and this focuses on one: Astro Bot Rescue Mission. Coincidentally, this was also a game for the PSVR. Both titles were intended to make something light and easy for players to learn the new technology.

Where To Find The "Celestial Construct" Poem?

The Barrens in Alfheim are covered in violent storms before you arrive, making it hard to see where you’re going. Luckily, there is a quest to help clear out the storms, meaning you can finally see what’s going on in the desert around you. There’s a large carcass in the first section of the Barrens, with a small clearing inside of it. By the lore marker up at the top of this clearing, you can find this poem.

6 Upon Pursuing A Place Not Marked On Maps

The longest poem in the game is a nod to the Uncharted series. The poem focuses on the treasure hunts Nathan Drake goes on in each game, with the highs and lows of the hunt. It also highlights how destructive Drake tends to be in the process, and the well-known climbing aspects of the games. Drake’s ring that he wears around his neck is also included, and a phrase that is a part of the inscription on it. The cover isn’t as easy to recognize, but it’s actually the crest on the front of Drake’s journal.

Where To Find The "Upon Pursuing A Place Not Marked On Maps" Poem?

The Southern Wilds in Vanaheim holds this poem. The main quest will take you right through the market square ruins, where you’ll have to fight off all manners of creatures in order to continue. Once you’ve defeated them, explore around a little bit before moving on. You’ll have to find a vantage point to jump down and break the floor in the market to find the poem that’s hiding down below.

5 Trip

This poem references the game Journey, a unique multiplayer indie game. The cover of the poem is a chime you can find in-game, and coincidentally the only way that players can communicate with each other. The poem not only tries to tell the tale of what the gameplay and story are, but mentions how the game can make each player feel alone in the world yet somehow connected.

Where To Find The "Trip" Poem?

Alfheim’s Forbidden Sands is where you can find this poem, though you’ll have to clear the storm first to see it properly. There’s a ruined elven tower here that holds the poem, but watch out — a Frost Phantom guards the structure, and will attack when you get close. After the fight, climb up into the tower’s balcony to pick up the poem.

4 Eastern Specter

This short haiku is a reference to Ghost of Tsushima. The protagonist of that game, Jin Sakai, also uses haikus throughout, so it’s a fitting choice. The wind is a reference to the use of it as a guide during your adventure. In the second line, the standoff is talking about one of the main gameplay features when faced against groups of enemies. Even the cover is pretty easy to notice, as it’s the Ghost mask Jin wears in the game.

Where To Find The "Eastern Specter" Poem?

This poem is in The Sinkholes Vanaheim’s crater. There are a lot of quests around here that will lead you through the area and help you reach your destination. The ground seems to rumble thanks to some kind of beast upon your arrival, earning you the Quaking Hollow Favor. Follow the noise, track down its source, and defeat the boss. Then, in that arena, you’ll find the poem hidden behind some bramble vines you’ll need to burn with the Blades of Chaos.

3 An Organization: In The Future

This poem references the lesser-known PlayStation game The Order: 1886. The title references the future because Ragnarok is set perhaps a thousand years before 1886. The game features the legendary Knights of the Round Table, tasked with saving humanity from the supernatural — another reference in the poem. If you’re not sure what the book cover is either, it’s the Order’s symbol, found on the game’s cover image.

Where To Find The "An Organization: In The Future" Poem?

In the crater’s jungle in Vanaheim, you’ll find a lot of ruins that can be hard to distinguish from each other. Luckily, the ruin that holds this poem has a pretty unique signifier. As you’re climbing around, you’ll hear Mimir talk about how it looks like a large beast had passed through the area. Once he says that, you’ll know the poem is nearby at the base of a wall.

2 Sanguinity

The game referenced here is Bloodborne, with the poem talking about the dark, winding city of Yharnam. Many different aspects of gameplay throughout the game are also touched on, highlighting the different origins players could choose from to customize their gameplay. It also mentions the iconic difficulty, often one of the most recognizable traits of FromSoftware games. The cover is the hunter’s mark from the game, too.

Where To Find The "Sanguinity" Poem?

You’ll need the Draupnir Spear to get to this poem in The Applecore in Svartalfheim. Since you’ve already been through the area once by the time you get the spear, the easiest way to get back to the poem is by taking the ferry, or by using The Applecore Entrance mystic gateway. Once you’re back, head down into the mines once more and keep an eye out for a wind notch. Climb up there, detonate the nearby weak point, and enter the new area to find the poem.

1 The Dead Do Not Ride

The zombie game Days Gone is the source material for this poem. The first two lines reference the game's motorcycles and the Mongrel’s Motorcycle Club, and the cover is the symbol of the club, too. The protagonist, Deacon St. John, was a proud member of this club, and it plays an important role in the story. The rest of the poem talks about brothers fighting and dying together, which was another key theme in the game’s story.

Where To Find "The Dead Do Not Ride" Poem?

Located by The Oarsmen in Midgard, you’ll have to find a secret area in order to find the poem. Progress through the area and the quest and you’ll eventually gain access to a second set of stairs. Near the Nornir chest, you’ll find a small alcove to climb up into that contains a chest and the poem you seek.