God of War (2018) Cheats & Secrets guide screenshot

Cheats & Secrets

Cheats & Secrets Guide for God of War (2018)



1. No Traditional Cheat Codes


God of War (2018) does not include any traditional cheat codes (e.g., button combinations, command prompts, or debug menus) on any platform. The developers intentionally designed the game to reward exploration, puzzle-solving, and skill rather than offering shortcuts. All hidden content listed below is legitimate, developer-intended secrets or Easter eggs.

2. Easter Eggs & Pop Culture References


  • Infinity Gauntlet Reference: The talisman Shattered Gauntlet of Ages and its six enchantments (Andvari's Soul, Njord's Temporal Stone, Muspelheim Eye, Eye of the Outer Realm, Ivaldi's Corrupted Mind, and Asgard's Shard of Existence) form a clear nod to Marvel’s Infinity Gauntlet. Equip all six to see a brief visual effect.

  • Ares’ Helmet: Inside the Temple of Týr, you can find the helmet of Ares (from the original Greek God of War trilogy) on a pedestal. Examine it for a unique dialogue from Kratos.

  • “I Don’t Know Who That Is”: During Atreus’s questions about various gods, Mimir sometimes responds with “I don’t know who that is” – a reference to characters cut from the game (e.g., Heimdall, Thor).

  • Ghost of Sparta: In the travel room at the Witch’s Cave, a hidden painting shows Kratos as the Ghost of Sparta from previous games.

  • Pirate Skull: Inside a sarcophagus in the Lake of Nine, you can find a pirate skull that Kratos comments on.

  • Faye’s Carvings: Throughout the journey, you can find carvings left by Kratos’s wife Faye, which foreshadow events and link to the broader God of War mythology.


    • 3. Secret Areas & Hidden Locations


  • The Hidden Chamber of Odin: Located at the very top of the Lake of Nine (above the elevator). Requires completing the “Favor of the Fates” quest. Inside you find a legendary chest containing the enchantment “Eye of the Outer Realm” and lore about Odin.

  • Veithurgard Pass: A secret tunnel near the Witch’s Cave that leads to a Valkyrie and several chests. Accessible only after lowering the water level twice.

  • The Lost and Found (Secret Room): In the Foothills, after freeing the dragon Fafnir, you can find a hidden door behind a waterfall that leads to the Forgotten Caverns, containing the “Forgotten Armor Set” (unlocked via New Game+).

  • Runestone Lake: A hidden area in Midgard, east of the Lake of Nine, accessible after completing the main story. Contains a Nornir chest and multiple lore markers.

  • The Huldra Mine: In the Mountain, after the first visit, you can return to find a previously locked passage that leads to a Valkyrie (Olrun).


    • 4. Developer-Intended Unlockable Secrets


  • New Game+ – After completing the story (any difficulty), you can start NG+. It retains your gear, levels, and skills, and introduces:

    • - Zeus Armor Set: Extremely high damage but low defense. Obtained by defeating the Valkyrie Queen Sigrun in NG+.
    - Ares Armor Set: Boosts Rage and allows Rage to heal more. Found in chests throughout NG+.
    - Traveler+ Armor: Enhanced version of the Traveler set.
    - Perfect Enchantments: Upgrades to existing enchantments (e.g., +20 stats).
  • Valkyrie Queen Sigrun – Secret boss encounter. To unlock, you must defeat all eight Valkyries scattered across the realms. She is located in the Council of Valkyries in Midgard. Drops the legendary “Sigrun’s Helmet” and crafting materials for the Zeus Armor Set.

  • Ivaldi’s Deadly Mist Armor Set – The best armor for general use. Crafted using Mist Echoes from Niflheim. Requires completing the workshop’s maze multiple times.

  • Secret Enchantments:

    • - Eye of the Outer Realm (Hiddem Chamber of Odin)
    - Hvitr the Unerring (Legendary chest in Alfheim)
    - Andvari’s Soul (Shattered Gauntlet component, obtained from a favor)
    - Njord’s Temporal Stone (Breadth of the World treasure hunt)
    - Muspelheim Eye (Muspelheim Trials)
    - Ivaldi’s Corrupted Mind (Niflheim)
    - Asgard’s Shard of Existence (Valkyrie Queen Sigrun)

    5. Exploit-Safe Secrets (Legitimate Glitches & Tricks)


    As of the latest patches (1.35 on PS5/PC), no game-breaking exploits remain. However, the following are safe, legitimate tricks that some players consider “exploits” but are fully part of the game:
  • Respeccing Skills Free of Charge: You can refund all skill points at any time by entering the Skills menu (no penalty). This allows you to experiment with different builds without cost.

  • Hacksilver Farming: The fastest legitimate method is running the Muspelheim Endurance Trial (Kill 100 enemies) with the “Hacksilver” enchantment equipped (increases Hacksilver earned). Repeatable and safe.

  • XP Farming: Defeating the Valkyries (especially the Queen) gives massive XP. Alternatively, the “Sigrun’s Helmet” provides a bonus to XP earned.

  • Mist Echoes Farming: In Niflheim, use the “Mist Echoes” enchantments (e.g., “Mist Echoes +50%”) and run a full loop through the workshop, opening every chest. The central chamber respawns enemies quickly.


    • 6. Hidden Boss Fights (Other than Valkyries)


  • The Trolls: Some trolls are hidden behind puzzle gates or in optional areas (e.g., Brennna in Alfheim, Stinnr in Helheim). They drop rare materials.

  • The Travelers: Six optional Traveler mini-bosses appear in side areas. They reward high-level hacksilver and unique enchantments.

  • The Ogre in the Foothills: In the area where you first meet Brok, a hidden ogre can be lured by destroying all three wooden barricades.


    • 7. Collectibles That Unlock Secrets


  • Odin’s Ravens: Destroy all 51 Ravens scattered across the realms. Reward: magical door to The Favor of the Fates side quest and the “Raven’s Reach” enchantment.

  • Jotnar Shrines: There are 11 hidden shrines that tell the story of the giants. All must be found to earn the “Jotnar’s Wisdom” trophy and unlock the “Bound of the Jotnar” armor set in New Game+.

  • Treasure Maps: Found in various chests, each leads to a hidden cache. The final treasure, “Breadth of the World”, grants the Njord’s Temporal Stone enchantment.

  • Rune Chests: Solving their puzzles permanently increases your maximum health or rage. There are 14 health and 14 rage stones to collect.


    • 8. Secret Items


  • The “Shattered Gauntlet of Ages” – A talisman that holds up to three enchantments. To obtain its full power, collect the six corresponding enchantments (listed above). The gauntlet itself is found in the “Breadth of the World” treasure cache.

  • The “Blades of Chaos” – Not a secret, but a hidden detail: when you first wield them, Kratos can activate a hidden “Rage of the Spartans” ability (temporary) by pressing L3+R3 while at full rage. This is not told to the player.

  • The “Chisel of the Sages” – Required to open the Hidden Chamber of Odin. Obtained from a favor in Alfheim (secret area behind a rune door).


9. Difficulty Unlock


While not a cheat, the “Give Me God of War” difficulty is available from the start. However, after beating the game on any difficulty, New Game+ allows you to carry over your gear and face enemies with increased stats. This is the only “unlock” tied to difficulty.

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Conclusion: God of War (2018) eschews traditional cheat codes in favor of deep, rewarding exploration. Every secret listed here is accessible through in-game actions—no console commands or external tools required. Use this guide to experience all the hidden content the developers intended.