The very first God of War game from 2005 contained an elaborate set of hidden messages from Kratos, requiring players to beat the game on its highest difficulty and physically call a real-world phone number. Since then, Easter eggs, references, and secrets have been a consistent part of the God of War franchise.
2018’s God of War was no exception to this franchise tradition, even in spite of its more reserved tone and complex themes. One of God of War‘s most memorable secrets was its Shattered Gauntlet of Ages, which required players to find six gems scattered across the Nine Realms. This little secret side quest was a brilliant nod to the MCU’s Avengers: Infinity War, which released in theaters just one week after God of War‘s April 2018 launch. God of War Ragnarok continued to up the ante with its own Easter eggs, including a set of collectibles that deserve to find some kind of new life in the next God of War entry.
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The Next God of War Should Double Down on Ragnarok’s Referential Poems
God of War Ragnarok’s Kvasir Poems Were The Perfect Tribute
God of War Ragnarok is home to a variety of different upgrade materials, gear pieces, and collectibles, many of which are used to improve Kratos’ combat prowess. God of War Ragnarok‘s Kvasir poems, however, are a set of collectibles designed simply to make players smile.
There are 14 Kvasir poems in God of War Ragnarok, each one using old-timey flowery language to describe a well-known PlayStation franchise. “We Who Remain, Part the Second,” for instance, references The Last of Us Part 2, not just in its title but in the body of its verse, with lines mentioning a “bearded, cruel father” and his “surrogate daughter,” and a disease that “rots your body.”
Major PlayStation IP like Ratchet and Clank, Ghost of Tsushima, Death Stranding, Uncharted, and Bloodborne are all referenced in God of War Ragnarok‘s Kvasir poems, along with some often overlooked PlayStation titles like Concrete Genie, The Order 1886, Dreams, and Journey. What sets these poems apart from references to PlayStation IP in other games is just how well they’re integrated into God of War Ragnarok‘s gameplay and world, with Mimir even commenting on a few poems’ content.
How The Next God of War Can Put Its Own Spin on Ragnarok’s PlayStation Poems
It would be great to see God of War Ragnarok‘s Kvasir poems get carried forward into the next God of War game, but developer Santa Monica shouldn’t just reuse the same structure. Instead, the next God of War should put a fresh spin on its PlayStation IP Easter eggs, such as switching up the type of collectible players need to find.
Murals have become a major icon of the God of War series in recent years, and they would be a great way to reference some fellow PlayStation IPs, depicting simplified versions of iconic PlayStation mascots against a beautifully painted backdrop representing their respective game’s setting. A set of carved wooden or stone totems scattered across the world would also be a great way to reference PlayStation icons in the next God of War game.
If the next God of War wanted to go a step further with its PlayStation IP Easter egg, then it could include in-game combat challenges or puzzles themed around different franchises. For instance, one challenge could require players to juggle enemies and throw them into walls, simulating Spider-Man‘s combat.
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