Nine Realms

Lore & Background

The game takes place in mythical ancient Scandinavia in the realm of Midgard, which is inhabited by humans and other creatures. It is the same realm in which the Greek world existed. As more dangerous creatures began appearing, many humans fled. Other realms visited as part of the story include Alfheim, the mystical home of the light and dark elves; Helheim, the icy land of the dead; and Jötunheim, the mountainous land of the Giants. Optional explorable realms include Niflheim, a realm of poisonous fog with a maze-like structure of rewards; and the fire realm Muspelheim, featuring the six Trials of Muspelheim—completing each trial grants rewards and advances Kratos and Atreus closer to the top of a large volcano, facing off Göndul, one of the nine Valkyries. Access to Asgard, Vanaheim, and Svartalfheim has been blocked by Odin. At the center of the realms is Yggdrasil, which connects each realm. Travel to and from realms can be done by using the Bifröst from a root of Yggdrasil contained within Týr's Temple at the center of the Lake of the Nine. The temple was created by its namesake, Týr, a peaceful God of War who traveled to other lands and learned about their mythologies; it was told that Odin had him killed as he believed Týr was secretly aiding the Giants and would try to overthrow him.

In Their Own Story

Kratos and Atreus journey through Midgard and beyond, using the Bifröst from Týr's Temple to travel between realms. In Alfheim, they navigate the war between light and dark elves. In Helheim, they face the icy land of the dead. In Jötunheim, they seek the highest peak to scatter the ashes of Atreus's mother. Optional realms include Niflheim's poisonous fog maze and Muspelheim's six Trials, where they face the Valkyrie Göndul. The story reveals that Odin blocked access to Asgard, Vanaheim, and Svartalfheim, and that Týr was killed by Odin for allegedly aiding the Giants.

Reader's Guide

Players can explore six of the nine realms: Midgard, Alfheim, Helheim, Jötunheim, Niflheim, and Muspelheim. Travel between realms is done using the Bifröst from a root of Yggdrasil contained within Týr's Temple at the center of the Lake of the Nine. Niflheim is a realm of poisonous fog with a maze-like structure of rewards. Muspelheim features the six Trials of Muspelheim—completing each trial grants rewards and advances Kratos and Atreus closer to the top of a large volcano, where they face Göndul, one of the nine Valkyries. Access to Asgard, Vanaheim, and Svartalfheim is blocked by Odin. The game's setting is ancient Scandinavia in Midgard, which is the same realm in which the Greek world existed.

Did You Know?

• Six of the nine realms can be explored in God of War (2018): Midgard, Alfheim, Helheim, Jötunheim, Niflheim, and Muspelheim.
• Access to Asgard, Vanaheim, and Svartalfheim has been blocked by Odin.
• Travel between realms is done using the Bifröst from a root of Yggdrasil contained within Týr's Temple at the center of the Lake of the Nine.
• Niflheim is a realm of poisonous fog with a maze-like structure of rewards.
• Muspelheim features the six Trials of Muspelheim, where players face the Valkyrie Göndul.