God of War allows players to embark on multiple side quests across the Nine Realms, but some are far better than others. These quests are optional but open the opportunity for Kratos, Atreus, Mimir, Sindri, and Brok to experience additional character development. Additionally, though the God of War franchise focuses on mythology, gods, and magic, side quests can help remind players that there are stories other than their own happening around them. In addition to receiving powerful rewards, players should complete these quests for the story opportunities and conversations that occur upon completion.

[Warning: the following contains spoilers for God of War.]

God of War takes place many years after Kratos flooded Greece and fled to the Norse lands, eventually marrying a woman named Faye and siring a son named Atreus. After Faye's death, Kratos and Atreus began a perilous journey to the highest mountain in nine realms. Pursued by gods and monsters alike, some players may be inclined to accomplish their goal without detours, but those who seek other quests may find themselves understanding God of War's world and characters far better.

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There are several side quests in God of War, including Wayward Spirit, Valkyrie, Family Matters, and more. Each interacts with a different part of the world and furthers individual character development while participating in worldbuilding. God of War does an excellent job covering the larger aspects of Norse mythology while maintaining Kratos and Atreus' importance in the story. Players can acquire these missions by speaking to spirits hidden around the world, locating specific items, solving puzzles, or speaking to NPCs like Brok and Sindri.

Best God Of War Side Quests - Time Heals All

Kratos takes on a favor from a wayward spirit

Like most side quests in God of War, the Time Heals All Favor intertwines with many other side quests. Realms in God of War are blocked behind puzzles and completing essential objectives, ensuring that players can't break the game unintentionally. The Wayward Spirit quest giver can be encountered in Fafnir's Stronghold, lamenting his death. The spirit informs Kratos that his son betrayed and murdered him to gain treasure and power. Despite his son's actions, the captain wishes to know what happened to his child, forcing Kratos and Atreus to venture throughout the realms and track down the wayward heir.

Players must first complete Sindri's Family Business Favor and interact with the pirate son's dead body in the Northri Stronghold to complete the quest. Locating him triggers dialogue from Atreus, suggesting that they return to the stranded spirit and inform him of his son's fate. Though the spirit expresses displeasure at being bothered by Kratos again, his tone shifts when he discovers his son perished to a similar betrayal.

During the quest, God of War's Kratos and Atreus have several interesting conversations concerning their relationship and the father-son relationship of the Wayward Spirit and his child. Though Atreus and Kratos have always struggled with healthy communication and frequently clash, their relationship is ultimately a loving one. However, the pirate father and son represent a much darker progression that may come to pass in God of War: Ragnarok, especially considering that Kratos' death appears in God of War's prophecy tablets in Jotunheim.

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Atreus' identity as Loki presents a unique opportunity for Kratos to confront a similar dilemma from the original God of War games. Kratos' father, Zeus, tried to kill the son prophesied to defeat him. If Kratos dies by Atreus' hand in God of War Ragnarok, the Time Heals All Favor foreshadows his death and how Kratos' relationship with his son could deteriorate.

God Of War's Hammer Fall Quest Builds Up Thor's Threat

God of War Thor

The Hammer Fall Favor is obtained from a Wayward Spirit who once dedicated his life to Thor's service. Though this is one of the earliest side quests players can collect, it takes a good portion of the game to fully complete. When first encountering the spirit, he informs Kratos and Atreus that his mother built a massive statue of Thor to watch over his father's grave. Impressed, Thor descended from the heavens to offer his condolences but swiftly took advantage of the family's hospitality. When the spirit's mother asked Thor to leave, the god killed her and left the spirit with nothing but grief and rage.

God of War's Thor isn't like Marvel's. He's a tremendous threat that players never face during the game but hear plenty from other characters. Myths and legends throughout God of War depict Thor as a ruthless warmonger, bringing death and destruction with his fragile ego. As Odin's son and the God of Thunder, Thor commands immense power in Asgard and beyond. During the events of God of War, Thor is executing a genocidal campaign against the Jotuns at Odin's command, though it's unknown how many are left. With a brutal reputation of wanton murder and genocide, tearing Thor's statue down from the mountainside is the closest players can get to a victory against him.

God Of War's Best Side Quest - The Valkyries

Kratos facing off against a Valkyrie in God of War

There are nine Valkyries to defeat in God of War, with each utilizing different attacks and abilities against Kratos and Atreus. Most Valkyries reside in Hidden Chambers of Odin, but others are hidden behind challenges and puzzles. Each encounter is a challenging boss fight that rivals villains like Baldur and rewards Kratos with a Valkrie helmet after claiming victory. Not only are these battles an opportunity for players to practice their combat skills against difficult opponents, but they provide plenty of hacksilver and other valuable materials to strengthen Kratos and Atreus.

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The Valkyries are vital to the Nine Realms, as their primary responsibility is to guide the dead to Valhalla. Unfortunately, Odin turned his wrath against them after his wife, Freya, left him before God of War's beginning. His curse turned them into the monstrous creatures scattered throughout the realms, bound by their helmets and unable to guide the dead on their final journey. By completing this quest, players can finally discover why the dead keep rising across Midgard and see the horrific results of Odin's intervention. Though completing this side quest doesn't result in any long-term solutions for Midgard, it provides Kratos with another opportunity to thwart the gods hunting his family. The Valkyrie quest also lets players learn more about God of War's storyteller, Mimir, who fell in love with the Valkyrie Queen.

Though there are many side quests in God of War, these three are the most impactful. Not only can players acquire powerful loot and upgrade materials after completing them, but they provide extreme enhancement to the already existing story. Kratos and Atreus' journey in God of War often seems separate from the world around them, but they can still interact and resolve conflicts outside the main storyline. God of War is available now on PlayStation and PC, with God of War: Ragnarok scheduled to release in 2022.

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