The beginning of the journey
The first thing you need to do after selecting the difficulty level is to chop down a tree. Press the interaction button and hit the trunk several times with an axe. Kratos will lift the log, after which you should head to the river where Atreus is waiting. Interact with the boat and sail through a small tunnel to the opposite bank. Disembark at the pier and lift the tree again.
Follow your son along the winding path to the house. After the cutscene, Kratos will invite Atreus to go hunting—the boy will need a bow and arrows.
Reward per chapter: 200 XP
Hunting with Atreus
Atreus will lead you north in search of a deer. You can explore the yard around the house, but you won’t be able to fight yet.
Collectibles at the beginning of the journey
| Subject | Location |
|---|---|
| Artifact No. 1 (Lost and Found set) | To the right of the path that Atreus calls you to follow, look for a silvery glow. |
| Chest with silver | Under the stone staircase |
| Artifact No. 2 — Boat (Lost and Found Bureau set) | To the left of the stone steps |
Climb the steps to reach a wider platform. Atreus will move to the left, but you will see footprints in the mud on the right — point them out to the boy. Then follow him up the stone steps.
After jumping across the chasm, Atreus will discover tracks and run forward. The deer will appear and immediately disappear to the north.
Values at the first encounter with a deer
At the spot where the deer first appeared, examine the ground on the right—there is a bag of silver next to the body. A little further along the side path, behind a fallen tree, there is another chest with silver hidden.
The Bridge and the First Battle
Silver glitters on the right side of the bridge near the cliff, and you can also see a chain — remember this place until you can reach it. Cross the bridge, but a barricade blocks your path. Hold down the aim button, point at the wooden obstacle, and throw your axe. Important to remember: the Leviathan axe returns to your hand when you press the triangle button.
After the bridge, you will see the deer again, but here Atreus will be attacked by draugr. It’s time to fight!
Fundamentals of the combat system
The Leviathan Axe allows you to alternate between light and heavy attacks. A heavy attack throws your enemy into the air—finish them off with light attacks before they fall. Kratos’ arsenal includes a retractable shield for blocking, as well as the ability to fight with your fists while the axe is in flight. Experiment: chop one enemy, throw the axe at another, strike with your fists, and call the weapon back.
After defeating the draugr, don’t rush forward. Return to where Atrey was aiming at the deer — behind the low log lies a body with a bag of silver.
Ruins and Hidden Treasures
In the round hall of the ruins, pick up the green health stone to restore your health. Look up—there is a huge bucket with a glowing mark hanging there. Throw your axe to knock it down and get some silver.
Atreus will head left after the deer, but first go down the side path to the right.
Values on the side track
- Chest with silver — at the beginning of the trail on the left
- Bag of silver — at the edge of the frozen waterfall, next to the corpse
To the left of the waterfall, you can see the chain. Go back and find the ledge by the campfire with the silver—from there, you can climb down the chain to the stream.
Two rabid wolves attack from below. They are fast: be ready to dodge or block, then counterattack with several strikes. Don’t get carried away with aggression and make sure the wolf doesn’t get behind you.
| Subject | Location |
|---|---|
| Coffin with silver | On the right after the battle with the wolves |
| Artifact No. 3 — Horse (Lost and Found Bureau set) | On the left in the ravine, look for the glow |
Norn’s Chest and Idunn’s Apple
Return to the ruins, face Atreus, and go to the right. Behind the barricade is a room with Norn’s golden chest. It is locked with three rune seals that must be broken.
Rune placement
- Rune “C” — to the right of the chest itself
- Rune “N” — in a small coffin to the left of the chest
- Rune “R” — turn around and search along the left wall behind the rocks and bushes by the stairs
Break all three, open the chest, and take the Idun apple. Three such apples increase Kratos’ maximum health. Sometimes, instead of an apple, you will find a horn of blood honey, which increases the rage meter.
The Temple and the Frozen Lake
Follow Atreus across the bridge to the gloomy temple. Ignore the treasures on the ice below for now—you’ll get to them later.
Upon entering the temple gates, you will notice the deer in the distance again. Jump over the gap and go down the stairs. Draugrs will appear in the open area near the far gate. Start the fight by throwing your axe, run up and punch, then recall your axe. Practice dodging and blocking — raising your shield at the right moment will stun the enemy.
Going out on the ice
After winning, check out and go through the unlocked door at the other end of the hall. You’ll run into wolves on the ice, and then draugrs. Dodge the wolves’ attacks and don’t hold back on your attacks so you don’t get bitten.
| Subject | Location |
|---|---|
| Silver on the ground | Scattered on the ice |
| Coffin with silver | On the ice |
| Artifact No. 4 — Viking toy (Lost and Found Bureau set) | On the right, opposite the large chest |
Collect all four artifacts from the Lost and Found set to receive bonus experience and sell them for silver.
Gate mechanism
Inside the temple, find the chain on one of the pillars in the center of the hall. Pull it to raise the gate in front of you and to the right. Let go to lower it. To lock the gate in place, look above the door: there is a glowing dot there. Throw the axe while holding the chain, and the gate will freeze in the open position.
Before leaving, check the area to the right—there is a coffin with silver. High to the right of the frozen gate hangs another silver offering.
Pass under the first gate, summon the axe — the rear gate will lower and the outer gate will rise.
Outside the temple
- The coffin with silver — to the left of the exit (Atreus will go to the right)
- Turn around and find the niche with the chain leading back to the temple
There is a red urn next to a black rock by the chain. Destroy it from a distance—it will explode, destroying the rock. Do not get too close, or you will catch fire.
| Subject | Location |
|---|---|
| Silver Offering | To the left of the locked gate |
| Chest with silver | Behind the gate. To open the passage, chop down the red urn hanging behind the bars with an axe |
The Sanctuary of the Yotuns
Climb the ladder from the chain. On the right side path, there is a chest with silver. Directly behind the wooden barricade is the sanctuary of the jotuns—open it to read the legend of Skoll and Hati, the giant wolves that chase the sun and moon.
Shooting a deer
Return outside and climb up to the platform overlooking the deer. Kratos will help Atreus aim: hold down L2 and point the right stick at the target. When the crosshairs turn red, press Square. Approach the fallen animal.
Boss: Daudi Kaupmadr (troll)
The troll has double health and can withstand many hits.
Combat tactics
When his club glows orange, the attack cannot be blocked. Dodge to the side and counterattack with several strikes, then retreat. Order Atreus to shoot to distract the troll, and strike it in the back.
The troll’s standard combo: a low swing, followed by a strike from above. Wait until the strike from above is complete, then attack with quick or heavy blows, step back, throw your axe, and command Atreus to shoot. If you stay too close for too long, the troll will knock you back.
After losing some health, the troll will start swinging its chain. It has a small radius, so step back and alternate between throwing your axe and shooting with Atreus. When the troll hits the ground with its weapon and starts gasping for air, run towards it (hold down the left stick) and attack until it recovers. When its health is low, lure the troll into breaking stone blocks — there may be healing items inside.
When the troll’s health is depleted, press R3 to finish it off.
Returning home
Find the glowing wall, place Atreus next to it, and follow him. Draugr will appear — it’s time to master finishing moves.
The mechanics of stunning
The stun meter increases with rapid successive strikes. Kratos’ fists and Atreus’ arrows are particularly effective. Heavy strikes that throw enemies into walls or trees also deal significant stun damage. When the meter is full, an R3 prompt will appear — grab and finish them off. For strong enemies with multiple health bars, finishing them off instantly removes one bar.
Hidden camera
Ahead is a large door sealed with an icy blue block. This is a hidden chamber—it cannot be opened yet. The location will be marked on the map for future return.
The Icy Enemy
Climb up the slope on the left. After fighting the draugr, a blue enemy will appear — the reaper. The Leviathan axe does almost no damage to him, but your fists work perfectly. The enemy can freeze you — don’t give him a break, use Atreus to accumulate stun and finish him off.
Break through the barrier and descend to the house. Atreus will run inside—follow him for a cutscene.
Boss: Stranger
A mysterious enemy with several health bars, fast and unpredictable.
First phase
He will strike first, then launch a rapid attack. His lunges can be blocked, and a timely block opens up the opportunity for a counterattack. Rely on dodges and blocks, then throw your enemy with a heavy blow and finish them off with light ones. A heavy attack also throws them into the trees.
When the stranger jumps back and prepares an ice wave, throw the axe at his face to interrupt him.
On the roof
With two health bars remaining, you will be thrown onto the roof of the house. Attack immediately, without giving your opponent a chance to recover. The fight drags on, but then the Spartan’s fury is activated.
The Fury of the Spartan
In this state, Kratos rapidly closes in on the enemy and unleashes a flurry of light attacks. If the enemy dodges or prepares a wave, use a heavy attack: Kratos will jump up and strike the area.
Attack until the rage runs out. Now you need to reduce the enemy’s health to about one bar. Block his combo with a shield to knock him back and continue the attack. When he tries to create ice waves, stun him or throw your axe.
The Final Battle
After falling off the cliff, climb up the rock while the stranger mocks you. At the top, you will be thrown to the other side of the gorge.
The enemy often dodges to the side before a combo—be ready to block. He also jumps and strikes your position: run to the side, turn around, and attack immediately after landing. Watch out for ice waves.
Once you have exhausted your health for the last time, you will complete the battle. All that remains is to slowly return home with Atreus, and the journey to the mountain will truly begin.
Summary of collectibles in this chapter
| Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Artifacts (Lost and Found set) | 4 |
| Norn’s Chest (Idun’s Apple) | 1 |
| Sanctuary of the Jötnar | 1 |
| Hidden Chamber (inaccessible) | 1 |
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