Some of the most memorable moments in God of War aren't part of the main story at all. Across the franchise, optional quests have expanded the world, deepened its characters, and delivered rewards that often rival the campaign's biggest moments.

We present these NINE side quests ranked in order of where they stand in terms of being the best optional content pieces in the God of War franchise.

9. Scent of Survival - God of War Ragnarok (2022)

While the side-quest doesn't last long, it unlocks the Crater, the game's most content-rich optional area. After the main story, Kratos reunites with Freya in Vanaheim.

Helka, Freya's hound, takes them through terrain to find the Crater, a vast hidden region formed by a ginormous impact as if something large has crashed into the landscape there.

The Crater is the reward in Scent of Survival, and that makes the entire journey worthwhile.

8. Across the Realms - God of War Ragnarok (2022)

God of War games are almost entirely about battles and feuds, which is exactly what makes Across the Realms a beautiful Favor in God of War Ragnarok.

It involves Kratos getting inspired by a note to collect the ingredients required in the recipe to make a meal. This search takes you through Midgard, Vanaheim, Alfheim, and Svartalfheim.

The change of pace and the calmness of the Favor endears itself to the users, who also get a look into a softer side of Kratos, away from all violence and vengeance.

7. Fit for a King - God of War Ragnarok (2022)

Fit for a King is the culmination of the Berserker Gravestone storyline in God of War Ragnarok. Its beauty lies in the epic fight against King Hrolf Kraki, leader of the Berserkers.

While the 12 Berserkers you face earlier might seem like a trivial issue, this boss fight makes you realize the game was merely preparing you for the showdown with the leader.

Players who love combat-driven fights will love this sidequest.

6. Hail to the King - God of War (2018)

Hail to the King is the last Dwarven Favor and is the culmination of the storyline involving Brok and Sindri. It takes you to Konunsgard, the former Dwarven stronghold.

The quest explores the downfall of the Dwarven Kingdom, teaches the history of the Dwarves, and is the kind of Favor that leaves you not just with rewards but also a greater appreciation of the entire storyline.

5. Song of the Sands - God of War Ragnarok (2022)

Set in the Forbidden Sands of Alfheim, Song of the Sands follows the Secret of the Sands sidequest and takes you through the depths of Alfheim to free the second Hafgufa.

The beauty lies in the scenes after the two Hafgufas reunite. Their reunion is followed by the two harmonizing as the Sandstorm disappears and the skies clear.

4. Weight of Chains - God of War Ragnarok (2022)

Imagine realizing that the land you are standing on is actually a living mythical creature.

That is exactly what happens in Weight of Chains as Kratos realizes that the mysterious island they are standing on is a Lyngbakr, a giant whale from Norse mythology.

The Lyngbakr was chained to the seabed by Dwarves, and Kratos seeks to break those binding chains to free the giant whale. Kratos' compassion and emotional growth shine through as he decides to help the Lyngbakr without hesitation.

3. A Viking Funeral - God of War Ragnarok (2022)

A Viking Funeral in God of War Ragnarok entails Kratos and the other characters gathering at Sverd Sands in Svartalfheim to attend a Viking Funeral after the climactic final storyline.

It is a chance to look back, remember the fallen, and pay respects to the 'Gods of War', and provides the proper closure the game's main ending lacked.

2. God vs Queen - God of War (2018)

God vs Queen is the final favor in the Valkyrie storyline, and culminates in a showdown with the Valkyrie Queen Sigrun, one of the finest battles in the entire franchise.

Once Kratos defeats the eight corrupted Valkyries during his journey and places their helmets on their thrones at the Council of Valkyries, Sigrun appears and challenges Kratos.

Quite like the Fit for a King sidequest, the God vs Queen serves as a realization that the battles with the eight corrupted Valkyries were lessons designed by the game to prepare you for Sigrun.

1. The Crater (Vanaheim) - God of War Ragnarok (2022)

Inarguably the greatest optional content piece in the entire God of War franchise, The Crater is a region divided into three major parts - The Plains, The Jungles, and The Sinkholes.

The beauty of The Crater lies in the fact that this optional content is so massive it almost feels like an extra DLC or an expansion in itself.

The world-building is elite, the level design encourages, humors, and rewards a curious mind, and the area is filled with almost every activity you like in God of War Ragnarok.

Which particular sidequest did you enjoy playing from the entire God of War franchise?

Read more at Gaming Community by Max Level!

Written by

Abhisek Bajaj

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav