God Of War Ragnarok Return Of The River Quest Walkthrough
Mastering the endgame content in God of War Ragnarok requires players to explore every hidden corner of the Nine Realms to uncover powerful upgrades. One of the most impactful optional missions you can undertake is the Return of the River Favour, which completely transforms the landscape of Vanaheim. Completing this quest opens up massive new areas for exploration, allowing you to track down legendary loot and challenging boss fights.
How to Unlock the Favour
To begin this specific quest, you must first complete the main story mission titled Creatures of Prophecy. Once Kratos secures his objectives in Vanaheim, you will follow a canine companion named Helka into a completely new sub-region known as The Crater. Entering this massive, dried-up valley will automatically trigger the quest as Mimir and Kratos realize the entire area is lacking water.
The lack of a proper water flow severely limits your movements, making it impossible to reach the higher cliffs or distant caves. Resolving this environmental issue requires finding a massive dam built by the Aesir forces nearby. Navigating to the southwestern edge of the valley will lead you directly to the base of this impressive structure.
Navigating the Dam Puzzles
Reaching the top of the dam requires climbing the scaffolding while fighting off multiple waves of aggressive Seidr warriors. Once you clear the area, you will find the main mechanism blocked by thick, glowing red vines that resist normal weapon attacks. You must utilize the Sigil Arrows fired by your companion to chain explosions from Kratos' Blades of Chaos to burn the overgrowth away.
After clearing the initial blockage, look for a heavy wooden barrier that prevents the massive floodgates from fully opening. You will need to position a well-placed explosive jar near the crack in the wall to completely shatter the obstruction. With the barrier destroyed, Kratos can interact with the large wheel mechanism to successfully release the trapped water.
Flooding the Crater Region
Releasing the gates triggers a beautiful cinematic sequence where roaring currents rush back into the dried-up riverbeds below. This sudden transformation immediately alters how you navigate the entire landscape by filling deep chasms with navigable water. You can now use the nearby boat to row across areas that were previously completely impassable on foot.
With the water fully restored, you gain access to two critical sub-regions known as The Jungle and The Sinkholes. These areas contain highly sought-after rewards, including dragon hunts, hidden Nornir chests, and the mystical Wishing Well. Completing this favor is widely considered an absolute necessity for players aiming to achieve one hundred percent completion in the game.