God of War (2018) didn't just reinvent Kratos. Santa Monica Studio hid clues to Atreus' true identity, slipped in Marvel references, and packed the adventure with clever callbacks to both the Greek saga and Norse mythology.

There are even hidden developer jokes and pop culture references. Here are the best Easter eggs, secrets, and references hidden throughout Kratos and Atreus' journey.

18. Atreus' real identity was hidden from the beginning

Kratos' house quietly spoiled the biggest twist long before the Jotunheim reveal. Four Elder Futhark runes carved into different roof beams spell LOKI when translated. That means Atreus' true identity was literally hanging above players from the opening chapter.

17. Kratos has his own Infinity Gauntlet

Shattered Gauntlet of Ages is an unmistakable nod to Marvel. It is earned during Sindri's Family Business quest. This relic resembles Thanos' Infinity Gauntlet, according to IGN.

16. Six enchantments mirror the Infinity Stones

The reference to the Infinity Gauntlet becomes clearer after players discover its hidden connection to six powerful enchantments scattered across the realms. Enchantments like Andvari's Soul and Njord's Temporal Stone closely parallel Marvel's Infinity Stones.

15. The Boat Captain refuses to stay dead

OG God of War fans will immediately recognize the Boat Captain's Key treasure map. It references the unlucky sailor doomed by Kratos during the Hydra battle in the first God of War.

14. Kratos is secretly called Farbauti

The murals in Jotunheim don't identify Kratos by his Greek name. Instead, they call him Farbauti, the father of Loki in Norse mythology.

13. The ending mural appears much earlier

The giant prophecy mural in Jotunheim appears long before the finale. During Kratos' first fight with Baldur, the Spartan slams him into a stone slab carrying the same artwork. Players eventually understand the reference once they reach the end.

12. Thor's arrival is hidden behind a secret ending

The rolling credits aren't actually the end. There is an extra scene after returning home and choosing to sleep. In this scene, Thor arrives during a violent thunderstorm. This teases Ragnarök, which eventually unfolds in the sequel.

11. Odin's vault hints at future mythologies

Mimir points out symbols linked to Egyptian, Celtic, and Japanese cultures inside Odin's Hidden Chamber. It's a subtle tease that other mythologies exist beyond Midgard. This also gives players a hint about where the series might travel next.

10. Ratatoskr joins the adventure

Ratatoskr isn't just a random magical ability. Atreus' Runic Summon comes straight from Norse mythology, where the talkative squirrel carries messages along Yggdrasil. In God of War, he sarcastically complains about fetching Health and Rage Stones.

9. Kratos repeats one of Zeus' final words

Before killing Baldur, Kratos quietly says, "The cycle ends here." This is the same line tied to his conflict with Zeus in the Greek saga. What Kratos wants to say here is that children should not inherit their parents' hatred instead of fueling it.

8. God of War III briefly returns

When Kratos relives his battle against Zeus in Helheim, the camera suddenly switches to first-person. That's a direct callback to the brutal finale of God of War III. In the last moments of that game, players watched the final punches against Zeus through Kratos' own eyes.

7. Atreus wears a piece of Kratos' past

Before receiving better clothes from Brok, Atreus wore a red-and-gold sash around his waist. It's actually made from Kratos' iconic loincloth from the original trilogy.

6. Kratos never abandoned his Greek armor

Even after settling in Midgard, Kratos still carries reminders of Greece. Beneath his newer clothing are the familiar red leather straps from his classic outfit. It shows he never truly left his homeland.

5. Atreus' tattoos reveal his upbringing

The markings on Atreus aren't just decorative. One translates to "Fast Hand." Another means "Calm Mind." Together, they reflect the qualities Faye hoped her son would embrace: skills as an archer and control over his emotions.

4. Freya's true title is hidden until the end

Freya's biggest secret comes to light only after players defeat every Valkyrie. The final challenge reveals that she was once their queen before Odin stripped away her wings.

3. Chaurli is a joke aimed at fans

Freya's giant turtle, Chaurli, isn't just another mythical creature. Before launch, many fans incorrectly believed Atreus would be named Charlie. Cory Barlog later referenced that rumor with Chaurli. Kratos' puzzled reaction makes the nod even funnier.

2. Atreus sneaks in a Marvel joke

After defeating the Frost and Ash Trolls in Tyr's Temple, Kratos boasts that he's "beaten bigger." Atreus immediately replies, "Puny troll." This is actually a playful twist on Hulk's famous "Puny God" line from The Avengers. It's an even smarter reference because Atreus is eventually revealed to be Loki.

1. Baldur hides one final insult players never see

One of the game's funniest secrets only surfaced after players used free-camera tools. During the opening boss fight, Baldur actually falls off the cliff with both middle fingers raised toward Kratos. Since the normal camera never follows him, this cheeky developer joke remained hidden for years.

Did we miss any of God of War's hidden secrets? Share your favorite Easter egg from the game in the comments.

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Written by

Nilendu Brahma

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav