Topic: SPOILERS | God of War SPOILERS Thread of SPOILERS

So I was on top of the the mountain in Muspelheim. If you look past where the chests are and down the mountain, there are what looks like 4 huge thrones. I wonder what they are, if anything?

Also when you kill the Queen, does she say that Freya is the real Queen? I wonder if that will have any implications for the sequel?

@JohnnyShoulder With regards to Freya, Memir has a bit of extra dialogue (providing you finished the main story) about what she might do in the sequel. If you fast travel that's the dialogue usually triggers.

I finished the game and i vaguely remember what he said, but what exactly did he say?

@JohnnyShoulder

• I assume, what you see from Muspelheim summit are the gateways to the other realms. Only that instead of a lake of water, these are surounded by lava. Take a look at the layout of The Lake of Nine and the gates there, you should find the resemblance.
• And yes, some interpretation suggest Freya to be head/leader of the valkyries, furthermore there are references, that one half of the fallen belong to Odin and the other half to Freya and such... anyways within the GoW-Lore she was indeed the leader of the valkyries until her banishment. Only afterwards Sigrun was appointed by Odin to take that role (with some reluctance seemingly).
• Mirmir comments on several things post-game, while travelling the realm between realms and the lake. He won't repeat, but some of it is recorded in the Journal, so you can read it up

@0ld_boy Cheers for that! I'll have a read up when I get the game back.

Part 3....

@Octane You're killing me with that talk of 3 or 4 games, I was thinking 1, this game is the first half, next is the 2nd half. Then I was thinking this is more like 2/3 of the game, maybe the rest would just be $40 DLC. As much as this may be a complete game, I can't imagine any scenario where someone could play GoW2 w/o playing 1. You can play Uncharted 2 w/o 1, and I think you can play GoW 3 w/o any of the others, but as complete as this may seem to people, I don't see how a 2nd game can seem complete w/o this one. People just start playing and most of the world's are open or closed, you can or can't go to them. So yes, they set out to do what they did, but the world itself is sort of 2/3 done, how do they create a 2nd game without taking that into account?

So I'd almost eclectic to see a $40 GoW:Asgard DLC that just adds on to this one to finish this story, battle Thor and Odin, Howe error the mythology works, than a whole new game which I think would be unplayable by anyone who didn't play the first. It's not like Uncharted:Lost Legacy, that's different people in a different place. You may not know who they are, but I think that could play as a standalone game. I don't see GoW2 as stand alone. All the people who are saying GoW is a complete fame now will be saying after 2 "you should really play them yogether, it's 1 long game".

And if I have to wait 5 years each for 2 more sequels, well I'll be too old to play. I'd rather see 1 or 2 if need be $40 DLC - they already have the engine, mythology, story, just pump it out - every other year. If it's 2 more full games the last will certainly be on PS5, like GoW3 on PS3, I'd much rather they finish where they started on PS4, let PS5 get the complete game bundle for $80.

Thus is all about an E3 announcement BTW, I finished the game a month ago.

@get2sammmyb Did you ever finish that piece you said you were writing and publish it somehwere?

@rjejr Nah, I'm certain there will be another two; Fimbulwinter and Ragnarok. That's sort of how the mythology goes. Everything goes down during a 3-year winter, and then it all ends in Ragnarok, the war that's simultaneously the end of world.

They've got the assets and the engine, so depending on when the PS5 comes out, we could be looking at a launch game and another one three years into its lifetime for example. 2018, 2020 and 2023 for example. Cory has big plans by the sounds of it, and he definitely spoke about ending this game with the beginning of Fimbulwinter, that was always his end point.

I'm certain they'll find a way to make it perfectly playable without playing the other games, but as with any story driven game, it's always recommended to play the others. And if the PS5 is BC, that should be no issue. But then, let's be honest, there's Kratos and Atreus, and Mimir. Baldur is dead, and only Freya is left. There are not a lot of characters you're missing out on. Only a handful of them. I wouldn't worry about that.

I wouldn't say the world is 2/3 done either. There's a lot of the other realms we haven't explored yet, they could be just as big as Midgard in theory. Take Alfheim, we only went to the Lake of Light in the north-east, the rest is still open for exploration. Then there's Asgard, Vanaheim and Svartalfheim, three realms which we haven't even seen at all. And with the Fimbulwinter in Midgard, I expect that the map will change a lot, just like how the Lake of Nine changed every time the serpent moved. Snow (and time in general) could affect the map. Or maybe they change the map quite a lot without explanation

I think it will work in a similar fashion to how The Witcher does it. In theory there's a huge map, but you can only go to the parts that are relevant for the story in that game. So that could mean that we get to explore Vanaheim and Svartalfheim in the sequel, but Jotunheim and Helheim are locked out. Maybe we get to explore different parts of Alfheim, with the Lake of Light blocked off for example.

@rjejr Corey Balrog has repeatedly said there will be no season pass or DLC for God of War. He has also mentioned he has enough material for roughly 5 more games. As with any creative process I doubt he we be able to use all of that so imo as is the current vogue it will probs be another 2 games to make it a trilogy.

As @Octane has mentioned they already have most of the assets from making the first game, I doubt it if it will take another 5 years to make the sequel. The 5 years it took to make is from conception to going gold, they have a really good base to build on from here and implement some new ideas.

@Octane When I said the game was 2/3 done I was going off of us being able to travel to 6 of the 9 realms, leaving the other 3 realms for a DLC sequel to finish things up. Or a full blown game sequel. 2 more full blown games is kind of a downer for me, as with the way this one ended I'd almost 100% skip the sequel on PS4 to wait for the complete trilogy on PS5 in 4k. Maybe even PS6 if both sequels are on PS5.

If I had read anything before getting the game about him ending the game at the start of Fimbulwinter - a word I never even heard of before reading it here - I probably wouldn't have gotten the game. I'm still glad I did, it was fun for most of the 40 hours, but I wouldn't have. My thought was the next game could end like GoW 3, mostly fighting bosses like Thor and Odin. Knowing there is a Fimbulwinter, well what's the point, just wait until Ragnarok.

I still can't imagine playing 2 w/o 1. Or 3 w/o 1 or 2. So I think anybody 10 years from now playing all 3 in a row for the first time is going to feel like they played one long epic game, not 3 separate games. Though it's possible 2 ends in such a way that it feels like a cliffhanger, but if it finishes up everything except Asgard, so 3 might be playable alone if people don't want all of the back story, just a great action packed game. I think Uncharted 4 can be played by itself. You miss some of the back story, but since his brother Sam never even existed before 4 it isn't a direct follow up. I don't think you can play U3 w/o U2.

I do think this rules out DLC though. They'll be too busy working on 2 and 3. And the game really already has more DLC then you get when you buy the $20 DLC in Zelda. The Valkries alone are their own $7 DLC. Plus that fire realm. Plus poison gas world. I didn't do any of those. I tried a few Valkyire but got whooped. I did free the 3 dragons - they could have been $3 DLC, that land in the far west was the prettiest place, and larger than any Lego Marvel 2 DLC map. I traded the gaem in after returning to the house though. I wa sso disappointed w/ Johutunheim I just coudln't go back and be constantly reminded of how let down I Was. But there is more than enough to keep people busy who want it. The Travelers could have been an update, they are my favorite side villains in the game. The kind of thing Nitneod would add in to Mario Odyssey for free. There is already a TON of extra stuff in there, they don't need to waste time adding any more. Like fighting as Atreus while Kratos is in that light sphere. Though if they wanted to make that a simple PSVR $5 thing it could be cool, just spinning around firing arrows at flying guys. But w/ so much already in the gaem I'm nto sure it's worth it w/o PSVR.

I suppose a back story $20 game of Kratos meeting his wife, or playing as her in her glory days of a killer w/ that axe, but neither would really tie into the main game. More like TLoU: Left Behind, which I own but have yet to play.

But if there's nothing at E3 tomorrow night, there's no DLC coming. I wonder if they could dual release GoW2 on PS4 and PS5? I don't need a PS5 for a few years after it releases.

@KratosMD "The first GoW ended without any sequels in mind."

Thanks, maybe thats' what I was remembering. I certainly didn't recall finishing GoW on PS2 feeling like I did w/ this GoW. That's the ending where you beat giant Ares and become the GoW if I recall. It felt complete. I can't recall the ending of GoW 2 to be honest. I do know GoW 3 was only about 6-8 hours, mostly giant boss battles. I was kind of hoping this game could have a similar follow-up, but since it's 2018, not 2008 or whatever, an 8 hour boss battle game would be $40 DLC, not a full game. And I really can't imagine playing this new GoW 2 w/o playing this GoW. It might work out ok, but playing the 2, or maybe 3, together, should feel the best, like 1 long game.

It wouldn't surprise me if he had 5 games worth of material, Norse mythology is huge, Kratos is huge, Atreus could have an entire series of games all on his own after Kratos dies. just look at Star Wars. But just bc/ he has 5 games worth of material doesn't mean they need to be 5 games that make up 1 long game. There are 7 GoW games now, 1-3, 2 on PSP, Ascension, and GoW. Id' say you can play this new 1 w/o any of the previous 6. I think most people could get by w/ 1-3, neither of the PSP games nor Ascension. So just b/c he has 5 games in mind, doesn't mean they need to be 1 long story arc. Maybe 2 or 3 games focusing on Kratos. A back story game w/ his wife the hunter. 2 or 3 games w/ Atreus as the focus.

I hope he really doesn't have 5 games in mind in this story arc, that's just too many. Xenosaga was supposed to be 6 games, they stopped at 3, 2 and 3 weren't that good. Here's a rundown of grand plans gone awry. Not that Cory would, but I don't want to play what feels like 1 game taking ten years. Thats' what Kingdom Hearts 3 is for.

http://lavenderlegend.tumblr.com/post/96161457981/some-facts-...

@JohnnyShoulder Oops, I kind of confused you and the other guy in my previous reply, see above.

@rjejr I dunno, it felt like a complete game to me. I got 60 hours out of it, that's more than most games. Especially considering this isn't an open world game filled with fetch quests and other pointless side stuff. The few side quests that were in the game had their own unique areas, unique rewards, side stories, etc. And like you said, the optional areas and Valkyries provide plenty of post-credits content.

The difference with most games is that this game was made with sequels in mind, whereas they usually aren't. However, that should mean that this trilogy will feel more consistent as a result. Meaning that if you play the Ragnarok sequel in a couple of years from now, you will find that this game has subtle hints towards the story of that game, just like how they hints at the ending and the Loki reveal in plain sight, but you won't recognise it if you don't know what you should be looking for. It's for the better I think.

Anyway, this game was clearly about carrying the ashes to the top of the mountain, and that's how it ended. The boss battles in between were just characters that got between Kratos and his end goal.

@rjejr Sorry mate you have me totally confused. You seem to be talking about God of War 2 and 3 like they are both the previous games and the next games. This is God of War 4 (I know there is not a number in the title but trust me this is the next main game in the series) so the next games will be 5 and 6, again they may not be titled that but they will be.

You seem to be getting way ahead of yourself by dismissing the sequels even before they have been announced. This game surprised most so I would probably hold before doing that.

And to be clear, are you saying they should have cut content from the main game and sell as DLC? Publishers and developers have been heavily criticised for such practices but you want to support that? I suppose you want them to put loot boxes in at the same time?

IIRC Corey Balrog has got loads of material and not just Norse mythology stuff. They toyed with loads of ideas before settling on Norse.

I thought the ending was pretty much perfect and the post ending content, well it kept me playing which is rare after I've finished a story in a game. Shows Nintendo how it should be done, they should be ashamed of themselves after the way the post end game in Breath of the Wild was handled.

@Octane " this game was clearly about carrying the ashes to the top of the mountain, and that's how it ended."

I understand that's the argument, and I make that argument myself as well. The game was about getting the ashes to the end and they did, so end.

BUT...... they spend the whole game talking about Thor, and anybody who knows anything about Norse mythology or Marvel comics or half a dozen other games w/ Thor in them knows Thor is a tough guy w/ a hammer, so you look forward all game to getting to fight him.

PLUS.... you spend all game going to all of these different realms and fighting different creatures, then you get to the realm of the giants and you get to fight - nobody, b/c it's an empty barren wasteland. Come on man, this isn't "Life is Strange" it's GoW. And as you walk away it slowly begins to sink in as the credits roll that the really boring lame fight w/ the talkative guy who you felt so bad for you didn't even bother to hit was the final boss for a GoW game.

And you think back to that room w/ all of the realms to travel to and you didn't even get to travel to 3 of them. Like why even put them on the wheel if you weren't even going to get to unlock them? Maybe it's fun in high school to have a date stop you at 3rd base, but I don't want to need to take a cold shower after playing a video game, I want all the bases and scoring a run at the end.

And here's the thing, had somebody, say sammy or any other viewer or commenter online said - well this is a great start a great game w/ more parts to come - I would have expected the ending. Well maybe. But all I kept reading was - "great game, it's so complete you can't even add DLC." Sure that part is my fault for having expectations of a game with a great ending like the original GoW, give me Thor or Odin or a land full of giants. But the way it ended was just uh. Then for the scene after the return to the house. It might as well have said "to be continued" on the screen. And when it says "to be continued" it isn't complete.

@JohnnyShoulder "This is God of War 4 (I know there is not a number in the title but trust me this is the next main game in the series) so the next games will be 5 and 6, again they may not be titled that but they will be."

For me, and probably other people, God of War Accession on PS3, the God of War game that came after God of War 3 but before this GoW, was GoW 4, which would make this GoW 5. Sure, they didn't call that game GoW 4, but they didn't call this game GoW 4 either. You can't just go around giving out numbers to games yourself yet tell me I'm the confused one.

"by dismissing the sequels even before they have been announced"

That's fair. They could be playable as stand alone games that take place years after this one, or years before it even, and the world, and game, can work independently of this. So I am jumping the gun a bit. I do think the next game, and one after that, will feel more like 1 long complete game rather than 2 or 3 separate games that are just as good played separately. But I'll admit that's a premature based on nothing.

Nintendo screwed up everything about the BotW DLC. All of it. It was their first real season pass DLC, MK8 was just 2 packs more than a season pass, Pikmin 3 was a few challenges, but they did screw it up. As for end game, that seems to be how Ntneod, and other JRPG, handle after game stuff. You use your last save point BEFORE the final boss to keep playing, then come back and do the boss fight when you are done. That didn't really bother me, Champions Ballad was horrible though. I paid for it, but I'll never go back to it, it's just challenges, nothing more.

Interesting views. I was a little taken aback that Thor and Odin were teased but not shown, however I also think that it would have been too much for the story. When I got towards the end and I realised that, I was ok with it and thought that the character arc was perfect. Kratos accepts his past and shows his feelings towards his son, who also realises his godhood. The central mysteries were solved, with the exception of who blew that darn horn.

I would like DLC, just because I liked the game but it would need to be Left Behind style as opposed to sandwiching in a new game area, like HZD. I find it jarring when you finish the game then get returned to before the last mission.

@KratosMD If the new God of War game can be called only "God of War" when we already have a perfectly good game called exactly that "God of War" then I don't see any reason why Ascension couldn't be called GoW 4 just b/c it's a prequel. It makes sense w/ Tomb Raider, that's a remake. If they wanted to remake the original God of War in 8k on PS6 and call it God of War that would make sense - I also have no problem with Ratchet & Clank as again it's a remake - but saying GoW:A can't be 4 b/c it's a prequel flies in the face of the lack of logic used in video game naming conventions.

God of War: Ascension
God of War: Chains of Olympus
God of War
God of War: Ghost of Sparta
God of War: Betrayal
God of War 2
God of War 3
God of War

How much more silly is that list going to look if they call the next game GoW 2?

@Rudy_Manchego I think I could have been ok w/o Thor or Odin if the last world, giant land, Joutunheim, was inhabited by giants or something. It was just too anticlimactic. The last fight w/ Baldur was not all that exciting, even w/ the giant manipulation. The dragon fight on top of the mountain about halfway through the game was the most GoW battle in there. They needed something to top that. I don't know Norse mythology all that well but surely there is some throwaway character they could have put in there. Or more of the dark elf vs light elf battle. Or an even bigger dragon. Or Thor. Or bring back Ares, surprise us all. Or Zeus. Unleash the Krakken.

@rjejr Every game needs someone to shout 'UNLEASH THE KRAKEN!'

I see your point. I didn't miss the God of War moments, as such, because I felt the combat was far more intimate and strategic. However, enemy and boss types were pretty formulaic overall. The Valkyrie Queen was an epic boss fight but not sure it should have been slotted into the story as it was a pain in the backside.