God of War(2018) was a monumental achievement for Cory Barlog and Santa Monica Studios. They managed to successfully modernize this classic franchise for a new generation without losing out on the visceral combat of the original. Now, with the release ofGod of WarRagnarokright around the corner, players who haveyet to check out the first game in the seriesshould definitely do the same as soon as possible!

RELATED:Great Xbox Games To Play If You Like God of War

god of war review

PC players should especially jump on theGod of Warbandwagon as soon as possible. After all, with the release of this critically-acclaimed game on this platform, these gamers really don’t have any excuse to not check out one of the greatest action-adventure games of the modern generation. Of course,given how overwhelming the mechanics ofGod of Warcan seemat first glance, new players should keep the following points in mind to make their journey through the Norse realms infinitely more manageable.

10Get A Grip Of The Combat System As Soon As Possible

One ofGod of War’s highlightsis undoubtedly its combat system. The game is filled to the brim with violent highlights, namely in the form of the amazing finishing moves, Runic Attacks, and everything else along the same lines that Kratos can perform in combat.

However, the combat system can also take a while to get used to. Players should try and use the early battles to master dodging and parrying in the game — two valuable mechanics that will serve players well throughout the entire experience.

god of war ragnarok atreus comp

9Atreus Is A Valuable Asset In Combat – Don’t Ignore Him

Atreus might seem like a helpless child when players encounter him for the first time, but that’s far from the truth. His arrows can be extremely powerful when used properly, especially when they gain magical abilities.

While it’s fine and all to let Kratos take charge in battle, he’ll need his son to assist him at times. Using his arrow abilities can be extremely helpful to achieve the same.

Kratos in God of War

8Always Remember Just How Valuable Kratos' Fists Are

The Leviathan Axe might be an extremely cool weapon, but it’s far from the only weapon in Kratos' arsenal. His powerful fists are easily one of the most ignored moves inthe God of War’s arsenal.

RELATED:The Best Armor Sets in God of War (& How to Craft Them)

God of War Kratos Walking Across Muspelheim Cropped

Players shouldn’t shy away from throwing Kratos' axe and using his powerful fists whenever required. It can stun weaker enemies into submission and allow Kratos to unleash devastating finishing attacks that are extremely satisfying to pull off.

7Don’t Linger Around In Areas With Unattainable Secrets

God of Waradopts a fairly linear approach to its story and level design, but there are times when areas branch out to allow for more exploration. However, during these impromptu expeditions, players will encounter several unattainable secrets that can be quite a frustrating affair.

Players should not dwell on these hidden treasures and just move on with the main plot. This is because most of these secrets will be unlockable further down the line when the player gains access to more powers.

Fafnir the dragon in God of War

6Try And Complete As Many Side Activities As Possible

There are several thingsplayers can accomplish inGod of Warthat isn’t related to the main story. This includes everything from completing certain Favors to freeing massive dragons as well!

RELATED:God Of War: What To Do In The Post-Game

Players should try and accomplish these side activities whenever they get the chance. Not only are they a welcome diversion from the main story at times, but they also give players access to extra XP and valuable resources.

5Make The Most Of Runic Attacks In Battle

Runic Attacks are powerful moves thatKratos can pull off in battle. Suffice to say, these abilities can be quite beneficial for players who might be struggling with certain powerful enemies. Players should prioritize these Runic Attacks and level up certain abilities whenever they get the chance. Mixing and matching certain Runic Attacks can help optimize a gamer’s playstyle inGod of War.

4Always Keep A Resurrection Stone Handy

After a certain point in the story, players will gain access to Resurrection Stones. These consumable healing items are extremely valuable and can save Kratos from the brink of death in an extremely sticky situation.

Over time, players will gain access to more powerful Resurrection Stones throughout their playthrough inGod of War. Getting these stones is a must, especially during combatagainst powerful bosses and tough enemies.

Best Runic Attacks for the Leviathan in God of War

3Never Underestimate How Important Kratos' Level Is

God of Warmight not delve heavily into its RPG mechanics, but it does enough to make levels a priority in the game. A single increase of Kratos' level allows him to deal more damage while taking a greater degree of punishment before succumbing to these blows.

RELATED:God Of War: The Blades Of Chaos' Best Runic Attacks, Ranked

god of war pc pre-load

If the game’s combat is getting somewhat hard to manage, then upgrading Kratos' level is the way to go. This can be accomplished by either upgrading Kratos' armor or his enchantments, which can go a long way in making the game more enjoyable and less frustrating in the long run.

2Spend Hacksilver And Use Resources Wisely

Hacksilver is the money that players use inGod of Warto purchase and upgrade items. This, coupled with certain important resources, form the bulk ofGod of War’s tightly-constructed economy.

Players should be careful when it comes to spending Hacksilver and using valuable resources in the game. Upgrading armor in the early sections of the game might seem like a good option at the time, but there are bound to be better pieces of equipment that are worth this investment instead.

Screenshot from God of War showing Kratos yelling towards the sky.

1Grab As Many Collectibles As Possible

God of War’s massive world is filled with collectibles, as is the norm in most modern games. While this might seem tedious, it’s beneficial to gather most of these collectibles whenever players get the chance.

Things like Odin’s Ravens offer minor XP boosts, which are always welcome. Yggdrasil Dew is especially important in this regard since it allows players to upgrade Kratos' stats permanently, which is obviously a huge benefit for obvious reasons.

god-of-war-forbidden-grip-of-the-ages-guide-04-upgraded

God of Waris currently available for the PS4 and PC.

MORE:Mistakes From God Of War (2018) That God of War: Ragnarok Needs To Avoid

god of war kratos and atreus on boat