Game Guide: God of War Ragnarök [Punksroach]

1. Introduction
Overview: God of War Ragnarök continues the story of Kratos and his son, Atreus, in their journey through the Nine Realms. Set during the events leading to Ragnarök, it mixes epic Norse mythology with deep character-driven storytelling.
Setting: A larger, more expansive world than the previous installment, featuring both familiar and new realms, each with its unique challenges and lore.
What Makes it Unique: Fluid and brutal combat, a compelling father-son relationship, a rich narrative inspired by Norse mythology, and stunning visuals.

2. Before You Play: Must-Know Tips
Game Length & Difficulty: Expect the main story to take 30-40 hours with additional side content and exploration extending it to 60+ hours. Difficulty levels vary; starting on normal difficulty is a good idea unless you're familiar with the series.
Combat System: The game combines melee and ranged attacks, with a focus on combos, timing, and effective use of special abilities. Combat is fast and intense—preparing to switch between weapons quickly is key.
Save System: The game uses an autosave system with manual saves available at any time. Make sure to use manual saves before big decisions or boss battles.
Skill Upgrades: Pay attention to upgrading Kratos and Atreus's abilities early on. These significantly impact gameplay and combat effectiveness.
Exploration & Side Content: There’s a ton to explore—hidden areas, side quests, and collectibles. Take time to explore for rewards that make your journey easier.

3. Beginner Tips & Tricks
1. Explore Thoroughly: Explore every corner for loot chests, crafting materials, and lore collectibles. Use your map to mark points of interest.
2. Mix Up Your Combat: Use a combination of the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos. Switch weapons depending on enemy weaknesses, and practice using runic attacks.
3. Parry & Dodge: Perfecting your parry timing will help tremendously. Use your shield wisely, and dodge when necessary to avoid heavy damage.
4. Upgrade Gear Smartly: Focus on upgrading armor that suits your playstyle. If you favor aggressive combat, prioritize strength. If you prefer survivability, focus on defense and vitality.
5. Atreus’s Support: Use Atreus's abilities in combat. His arrows can stun enemies or target their weaknesses. Don't ignore his skill tree.

4. Advanced Tips & Tricks
1. Use Status Effects: Enemies have weaknesses to certain status effects like frost, fire, and poison. Use elemental attacks to build up status effects and exploit these vulnerabilities.
2. Keep Moving: Movement is crucial in battles. Use dodge rolls, sidesteps, and running attacks to avoid damage and reposition yourself. Keep mobile against larger or multiple foes.
3. Skill Combos: Chain light and heavy attacks to perform devastating combos. Mix in runic attacks and weapon abilities for maximum damage output.
4. Shield Variety: Experiment with different shields—some are better for parrying, while others absorb damage. Use the one that fits your combat style.
5. Armor Sets: Focus on completing full armor sets for specific bonuses. The bonuses can drastically enhance certain aspects of combat, like cooldowns or runic damage.

5. Combat & Character Development
Combat Guide: Combat is both tactical and aggressive. Use crowd control for groups, parry to stagger enemies, and target the weak spots. Runic attacks are limited but powerful—use them at the right moment.
Weapons & Upgrades: Balance between the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos, depending on the situation. Upgrade them with rare materials to unlock new abilities and enhance damage.
Atreus’s Development: Don’t neglect Atreus’s skills. His abilities can distract enemies, deal damage, and provide essential crowd control. Invest in his skill tree to suit your preferred strategy.
Skill Trees: Focus on abilities that you’ll use frequently. Unlock skills that increase combo potential, damage output, and survivability.

6. Exploration & Quests
World Map: Familiarize yourself with the realms and the locations of fast travel points. Fast travel becomes essential later in the game, so unlock all Mystic Gateways you find.
Side Quests & Favors: Many side quests (called "Favors") offer unique rewards, including powerful gear and runes. They also provide valuable lore and character insights—don’t skip them.
Collectibles: Look out for Odin’s Ravens, Lore Markers, Nornir Chests, and Artifacts. Completing sets can yield significant rewards.

7. FAQ & Common Questions
Q: What should I upgrade first?
A: Focus on upgrading your weapons first—damage boosts are significant. Then, invest in gear that suits your playstyle.
Q: How do I unlock new realms?
A: Progress the main story. Certain realms unlock automatically, while others require specific keys or story events.
Q: Can I replay previous areas?
A: Yes, many areas are revisitable, especially if you missed collectibles or want to complete side quests.

8. Secrets
Easter Eggs: God of War Ragnarök is packed with Easter eggs referencing Norse mythology and previous games in the series. Keep an eye out for them in hidden corners.
Hidden Bosses: Some realms contain optional, secret bosses that provide extra challenges and unique loot. These fights can be tough but are rewarding.
Unlockable Gear: Completing certain challenges or side quests can unlock rare gear and runes that aren’t available through the main story.

9. Final Thoughts & Summary
Strengths: Gorgeous visuals, excellent storytelling, deep combat mechanics, and a vast world full of secrets. The relationship between Kratos and Atreus is a highlight, making it a compelling narrative.
Weaknesses: Some boss fights may feel repetitive, and the game’s length could be overwhelming for some.
Replay Value: High replayability due to side content, collectibles, and different difficulty settings. There’s always something new to discover or explore.

10. Additional Resources
Video Walkthroughs: Check YouTube for detailed guides on boss fights, collectibles, and hidden areas.
Community Forums: Join Reddit or dedicated forums for tips, tricks, and build recommendations.