Getting Started
Getting Started Guide for God of War (2018)
This guide is for brand-new players. It covers the critical first hour, teaches you the controls, deciphers the UI, and gives you a clear plan to avoid common early pitfalls.
First Hour Walkthrough (Spoiler-Free)
The game opens with a brief cinematic showing Kratos and his son Atreus. You have no character creation—Kratos is a fixed protagonist.
1. The Opening Area: You start in a snowy forest. Follow the linear path. Atreus will lead you. Do not run ahead—stay close to him.
2. First Combat: You encounter a few draugr (undead enemies). The game tutorializes basic attacks (R1, R2) and blocking (L1). Use the Leviathan Axe (you get it shortly after) to throw (L2 + R1).
3. Getting the Leviathan Axe: After a short fight, you retrieve the axe from a tree. This is your primary weapon for most of the game.
4. First Troll: Shortly after, you face a troll named Brenna Daudi. Dodge its slow attacks (circle) and hit its weak point on the back. Use Atreus’ arrows (square) to stagger it.
5. Return Home: After the troll, you return to your home. The main story goal is set: spread your wife’s ashes from the highest peak in the realms.
6. Leave the Woods: You’ll walk through the Wildwoods, encounter more enemies, and eventually meet Brok the blacksmith. This marks the end of the first hour.
Controls (All Platforms)
#### PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5 (DualShock 4 / DualSense)
| Action | Button |
|---|---|
| Light Attack (Leviathan Axe) | R1 |
| Heavy Attack | R2 |
| Throw Axe / Recall Axe | L2 + R1 / Hold Triangle |
| Block / Parry | L1 |
| Dodge | Circle |
| Run | Hold Circle while moving |
| Interact / Execute | Circle (near prompt) |
| Atreus Arrow | Square |
| Runic Attack (Light) | L1 + R1 |
| Runic Attack (Heavy) | L1 + R2 |
| Spartan Rage (activate) | L3 + R3 |
| Menu | Options |
| Map / Touchpad | Touchpad |
| Action | Key |
|---|---|
| Light Attack | Left Mouse Button |
| Heavy Attack | Right Mouse Button |
| Throw Axe / Recall | Mouse Side Button 4 / Hold Q |
| Block / Parry | L-Shift |
| Dodge | Space |
| Run | Hold Space while moving |
| Interact | E |
| Atreus Arrow | Left Ctrl |
| Runic Attack (Light) | 1 |
| Runic Attack (Heavy) | 2 |
| Spartan Rage | F |
| Menu | Esc |
| Map | M |
UI Overview
- Health Bar (top-left): Red bar for Kratos. Green segments are Rage meter (used for Spartan Rage).
- Atreus’ Health (top-left, below Kratos): Small bar. He can be revived with a prompt if down.
- Runic Attack Cooldown (bottom-left corner): Two circles—light and heavy runic attacks. They charge slowly.
- Axe Throw Indicator (center, while aiming): A reticle. Hold L2 to aim.
- Enemy Health Bar (above enemy’s head): Shows health and stun meter (yellow bar).
- Hacksilver & XP (top-right): Currency and experience points.
- Map (touchpad or M): Shows current realm, undiscovered areas, and objectives.
- Compass (top-center): Points you toward your current quest objective.
- Upgrade your Axe Handle as soon as you have Hacksilver and Hacksilver (you get plenty from chests and enemies).
- Spend XP on Atreus’ Skills first: “Watchful Protector” (auto-aim bonus) and “Arrow Recovery” are great early investments.
- Explore the first area (Wildwoods) thoroughly after the troll fight. There are lore markers, Odin’s Ravens, and hidden collectibles.
- Use Spartan Rage sparingly—it’s a panic button for tough fights or to regain health. Hold L3+R3 when your health is low.
Essential Early Objectives
1. Follow the Story: Complete the main quest “The Marked Trees” and “Path to the Mountain.” Do not deviate until you have the axe and basic combat down.
2. Learn Combat Basics: Practice blocking, dodging, and throwing the axe. Use Atreus’ arrows to interrupt enemy attacks.
3. First Upgrade: After meeting Brok, you can upgrade the Leviathan Axe. Prioritize the Grip of the Forge (increases Runic stats) early.
4. Open Chests: Wooden chests give Hacksilver; Legendary chests give enchantments or upgrade materials. Always open them.
5. Climb Everything: Yellow ledges are climbable. Look for them to find shortcuts and hidden loot.
What to Do First – Beginner Priorities
What to Avoid – Common Beginner Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It Hurts | Better Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Button mashing attacks | Drains stamina, leaves you open | Use light attacks (R1) to stagger, then heavy (R2) to knock down. |
| Ignoring Atreus | Atreus can stun enemies and give you openings | Spam square whenever enemies are far or winding up. |
| Not blocking | Many attacks are blockable | Hold L1 to block; tap L1 just before hit to parry (yellow ring). |
| Wasting Hacksilver on irrelevant gear | Resources are scarce early | Only buy axe upgrades and Atreus armor from Brok; save Hacksilver for later. |
| Overlooking realm tears | They require materials you don’t have yet | Ignore them until you are level 4+ or have the right resources. |
| Skipping side content | Missed XP, enchantments, and lore | Do at least the first few side quests (e.g., “The Weight of Chains”). |
Day-One Checklist
- [ ] Install the game and apply latest patch (check for updates).
- [ ] Adjust settings: Set difficulty to “Give Me a Story” (easy) or “Give Me a Balanced Experience” (normal). Do not start on “Give Me God of War” — it is very punishing.
- [ ] Configure controls: If on PC, test sensitivity and key bindings. On console, enable “Axe Throw Auto-Aim” in options.
- [ ] Complete the first hour up to meeting Brok.
- [ ] Upgrade Leviathan Axe at Brock’s shop (use the free upgrade components from the chest near him).
- [ ] Spend your first XP on Atreus’ skills.
- [ ] Explore the Wildwoods fully: open all chests, break all pots, shoot all Odin’s Ravens (3 in the first area).
- [ ] Learn the dodge timing against the troll (dodge left/right, not backward).
- [ ] Save your game manually (pause → save) after each major event. Autosave is frequent, but manual save protects against glitches.
Pro Tip: Don’t rush. God of War rewards careful exploration. Read the lore tablets—they deepen the story. Enjoy the journey.