The 2018 God of War game, developed by Santa Monica Studio, has left an indelible mark on the gaming world. This action-adventure masterpiece has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its engaging narrative, stunning visuals, and intense combat mechanics. As players embark on Kratos’ perilous journey with his son Atreus, they can’t help but wonder: can you continue God of War after beating it? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Midgard, exploring the possibilities and opportunities that await you after completing the main storyline.
Completing the Main Storyline: What to Expect
Before we dive into the possibilities of continuing God of War after beating it, let’s briefly discuss what you can expect from the main storyline. The game’s narrative is a character-driven exploration of Kratos’ relationship with his son Atreus, as they navigate the unforgiving world of Norse mythology. Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter a plethora of formidable gods, goddesses, and creatures, each with their own unique abilities and motivations.
As you progress through the story, you’ll uncover the secrets of Kratos’ past, the truth about his wife’s death, and the mysterious forces that seek to control the Nine Realms. The main storyline is approximately 20-25 hours long, depending on your skill level and level of exploration.
Post-Game Content: What Awaits You
After completing the main storyline, you’ll unlock a wealth of post-game content that allows you to continue exploring the world of God of War. Here are a few things you can expect:
- New Game Plus (NG+): This mode enables you to replay the game with all your previously acquired skills, armor, and upgrades. NG+ also introduces new challenges, such as tougher enemies and altered enemy behaviors.
- Side Quests and Favors: Throughout the game, you’ll encounter various side quests and favors that offer additional story context, character development, and rewards. These quests can be completed after beating the main storyline, providing a deeper understanding of the game’s world and characters.
- Exploration and Collectibles: God of War features a vast, beautifully crafted world, filled with hidden collectibles, secrets, and areas to discover. After completing the main storyline, you can explore the world without the pressure of the narrative, uncovering new locations and secrets.
Endgame Content: The Real Challenge Begins
God of War’s endgame content is where the game truly shines, offering a significant challenge for even the most seasoned players. Here are a few aspects of the endgame content:
The Muspelheim Trials
The Muspelheim Trials are a series of six challenges that test your combat skills, strategy, and ability to adapt to new situations. These trials are unlocked after completing the main storyline and offer a substantial challenge, even for players who have completed NG+.
- Trial of Normal: This trial serves as an introduction to the Muspelheim Trials, featuring a series of waves with increasingly difficult enemies.
- Trial of Impossible: This trial is a more challenging version of the first trial, with tougher enemies and altered enemy behaviors.
- Trial of the Valkyries: In this trial, you’ll face off against the nine Valkyries, each with their unique abilities and weaknesses.
- Trial of the Elements: This trial features a series of elemental challenges, where you’ll need to adapt to different environmental conditions and enemy types.
- Trial of the Gods: In this trial, you’ll face off against the gods themselves, including Zeus, Ares, and Athena.
- Trial of the Realms: This final trial is a culmination of all the previous challenges, featuring a series of waves with enemies from each of the Nine Realms.
The Niflheim Maze
The Niflheim Maze is a procedurally generated labyrinth that offers a unique challenge each time you enter. The maze is filled with tough enemies, traps, and puzzles, and requires you to use all your skills and abilities to navigate.
- Ivaldi’s Workshop: As you progress through the maze, you’ll encounter Ivaldi’s Workshop, where you can craft and upgrade your equipment.
- The Cursed Mist: The maze is filled with a cursed mist that slowly drains your health, adding an extra layer of challenge to the already difficult environment.
Upgrades and Progression: Continuing to Improve
Even after completing the main storyline, there’s still plenty of room for improvement and progression. Here are a few ways you can continue to upgrade and enhance your gameplay experience:
Armor and Equipment Upgrades
You can continue to upgrade and craft new armor and equipment, even after completing the main storyline. This allows you to experiment with different playstyles and adapt to the challenges of the endgame content.
- Enchantments: Enchantments are special abilities that can be applied to your armor and equipment, offering unique benefits and enhancements.
- Runic Attacks: Runic attacks are powerful abilities that can be used in combat, offering a significant advantage in tough battles.
Leveling Up and Skill Trees
You can continue to level up and unlock new skills and abilities, even after completing the main storyline. This allows you to further customize your playstyle and adapt to the challenges of the endgame content.
- Skill Trees: The skill trees offer a range of abilities and enhancements, allowing you to customize your playstyle and adapt to different situations.
- Experience Points: Experience points can be earned by completing challenges, defeating enemies, and exploring the world.
Conclusion: The Journey Continues
God of War offers a wealth of content and challenges, even after completing the main storyline. From the Muspelheim Trials to the Niflheim Maze, there’s plenty of opportunities to continue exploring the world of Midgard and testing your skills. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, God of War has something to offer, and its endgame content is sure to keep you engaged for hours on end.
By continuing to upgrade and progress, you can further enhance your gameplay experience and adapt to the challenges of the endgame content. So, if you’re wondering can you continue God of War after beating it, the answer is a resounding yes. The journey may be over, but the adventure has just begun.
Can you continue playing God of War after beating the main story?
Yes, you can continue playing God of War after completing the main story. The game offers a variety of post-game content, including side quests, optional challenges, and collectibles to discover. You can also explore the world, fight against tougher enemies, and upgrade your equipment to make Kratos even more powerful.
Additionally, the game features a New Game+ mode, which allows you to replay the story with all your upgrades and abilities intact. This mode also introduces new challenges and enemies, making it a great way to experience the game again with a fresh perspective. Overall, there’s plenty to do in God of War even after you’ve beaten the main story.
What is New Game+ mode in God of War, and how does it work?
New Game+ mode in God of War is a feature that allows you to replay the game’s story with all your upgrades, abilities, and equipment intact. This means you can start a new playthrough with all the skills and gear you’ve acquired during your initial playthrough, making it easier to tackle the game’s challenges. New Game+ mode also introduces new enemies, tougher difficulty levels, and additional challenges to keep the gameplay exciting.
To access New Game+ mode, you need to complete the main story at least once. Once you’ve done that, you can select the New Game+ option from the game’s menu, and you’ll be able to start a new playthrough with all your upgrades and abilities. Keep in mind that New Game+ mode is a separate playthrough, so you won’t be able to access your original save file while playing in this mode.
Are there any side quests or optional challenges in God of War?
Yes, God of War features a variety of side quests and optional challenges that you can complete to earn rewards and experience points. These side quests and challenges are scattered throughout the game’s world and can be discovered by exploring the environment, talking to NPCs, or completing specific tasks. Some side quests are related to the main story, while others are standalone challenges that offer unique rewards.
Some examples of side quests and optional challenges in God of War include the “Favors” system, which allows you to complete tasks for the game’s NPCs, and the “Labors” system, which challenges you to complete specific objectives, such as killing a certain number of enemies or collecting a set amount of resources. Completing these side quests and challenges can help you upgrade your equipment, unlock new abilities, and enhance your overall gameplay experience.
Can you upgrade your equipment in God of War after beating the main story?
Yes, you can upgrade your equipment in God of War even after completing the main story. The game features a deep crafting and upgrade system that allows you to enhance your gear, including Kratos’ axe, armor, and other equipment. You can collect resources and materials throughout the game’s world and use them to upgrade your equipment, making Kratos even more powerful.
Upgrading your equipment can also unlock new abilities and enhance your overall gameplay experience. For example, upgrading Kratos’ axe can increase its damage output, while upgrading his armor can improve his defense. Additionally, you can also enchant your equipment with magical properties, such as increased strength or resistance to elemental attacks.
Are there any collectibles to discover in God of War after beating the main story?
Yes, God of War features a variety of collectibles that you can discover even after completing the main story. These collectibles include items such as Odin’s Ravens, which are hidden throughout the game’s world and offer unique rewards when collected. You can also discover other collectibles, such as artifacts, journals, and other items that provide insight into the game’s world and lore.
Collecting these items can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially if you’re looking to 100% the game. You can use the game’s built-in collectible tracker to help you find these items, or you can explore the environment and discover them on your own. Either way, collecting these items can enhance your overall gameplay experience and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Can you explore the world of God of War after beating the main story?
Yes, you can explore the world of God of War even after completing the main story. The game features a vast and beautiful world, filled with hidden secrets, side quests, and collectibles. You can explore the environment, discover new locations, and fight against tougher enemies to test your skills.
Exploring the world of God of War can be a great way to experience the game’s atmosphere and lore. You can discover new characters, learn more about the game’s world, and uncover hidden secrets that add depth to the story. Additionally, exploring the world can also help you find new resources and materials, which can be used to upgrade your equipment and enhance your gameplay experience.
Are there any plans for DLC or expansions for God of War?
Yes, there are plans for DLC and expansions for God of War. The game’s developer, Santa Monica Studio, has announced plans to release additional content for the game, including new story chapters, characters, and gameplay mechanics. These DLCs and expansions will build upon the game’s story and world, offering new challenges and experiences for players.
Some of the announced DLCs and expansions include new story chapters that explore the game’s characters and lore, as well as new gameplay mechanics and features. These DLCs and expansions will be available for purchase separately or as part of a season pass. Keep an eye on the game’s official website and social media channels for more information on upcoming DLCs and expansions.