Alexis Kestler
God of War Ragnarök‘s massive world is filled with exciting challenges and rewarding favors to undertake. One of the most intricate comes in the late game – a favor called "The Broken Prison" in the icy realm of Niflheim. Unlocking its secrets requires skillful navigation of collapsing ruins, spear-swinging acrobatics, and unlocking clues about Kratos‘ mysterious past.
In this extensive guide, we‘ll provide a complete walkthrough for how to take on this favors, including detailed instructions, tips, and insights gleaned from hours of gameplay. Follow along to master the spear, clear the prison depths, and uncover an emotional narrative payoff.
Overview of Favors in God of War Ragnarök
Let‘s start with some background for context. God of War Ragnarök utilizes a "favor" system similar to side quests in other RPGs. These are optional activities that offer benefits like rare crafting materials, equipment upgrades, narrative reveals, and tests of your combat ability.
Favors become available as you progress through the main story campaign. They range from defeating powerful enemies to solving environmental puzzles to platforming challenges.
The Broken Prison favor specifically opens up after completing the main story mission "Forging Destiny" late in the game. It takes you to a new ruined location with its own gameplay mechanics.
Completing favors can provide a nice change of pace from core missions, while expanding your knowledge of the environment and characters. The Broken Prison is one of the most unique and rewarding favors, offering cool moments for spear mastery and story payoff.
Getting to The Broken Prison in Niflheim
The favor takes place in Niflheim, one of God of War Ragnarök‘s more expansive realms. It‘s a frosty land with frequent snowstorms and hardy enemies like Frost Phantoms.
Within northeast Niflheim lies the Aesir Prison Wreckage region. It contains the ruined remnants of a large prison that collapsed, with debris and cells scattered across multiple tiers.
To start the favor, navigate to the prison wreckage along the main eastern path through Niflheim. Then drop down into the ruins to begin your descent.
This sprawling prison provides the perfect stage for an environmental puzzle challenge requiring smart traversal. Next, we‘ll break down how to make your way through the exterior and interior levels.
Descending the Exterior of The Broken Prison
Your goal is to reach the very bottom platform of the collapsed prison. But first, you need to work your way down the multi-tiered exterior area.
This section requires expert use of the Draupnir Spear found in the first Wind Fissure. The spear allows you to swing across gaps while chains lower it between platforms.
Here are the steps to traverse the exterior:
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Enter the wreckage and throw the Draupnir Spear into the first Wind Fissure on your level. This creates an anchor point to swing from.
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Take a running leap off the edge and use R2 to swing from the embedded spear down to the next platform below.
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Look around for a chain hanging from above. Interact with it using R2 to drop the Draupnir Spear down one level.
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Hop down to the spear location and swing again from the fissure below. Repeat this process on further chains and fissures to gradually descend the exterior.
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When reaching the bottom level, look for a cracked wall on the nearby frozen platform. Throw your Leviathan Axe at it to reveal the prison interior.
Take it slow here – smart spear throws and timely chain activations are key. The prison holds many environmental clues to guide you. Use focus and precision while enjoying the acrobatic swinging.
Cracking the Frozen Platform Puzzle
Having reached the exterior base, it‘s time to start navigating the interior. But first, a quick puzzle needs solving.
On the frozen platform near the bottom level, look up to find a cracked wall. Throw your Leviathan Axe at it to break through and reveal a hidden chamber.
Drop down inside and squeeze through the opening. Here you‘ll find:
- A gate locked with runes that requires your Blades of Chaos to open
- A Nornir Chest behind the unlocked gate with useful rewards
- A Wind Fissure to plant your spear for upcoming traversal
The key is using your ax to smash the cracked wall, allowing access to the puzzle elements needed to proceed. Make sure to unlock the Nornir Chest before leaving to obtain an Idunn Apple for extended health.
Traversing the Interior via Spear Swinging
With the exterior and frozen platform behind you, it‘s time for the most challenging section – navigating the interior floors only using the Draupnir Spear.
The prison depths contain multiple floors connected by the spear in Wind Fissures. Chains also allow dropping the spear between levels. To reach the bottom, you must:
- Strategically throw the spear into fissures to create swinging points
- Utilize chains to reposition the spear at lower levels
- Carefully swing down from point to point via precise button presses
This traversal requires thinking in 3D space and mentally mapping the prison layout. Here are some tips for getting through this area:
- Create temporary fissure anchors as needed to scope out the layout before proceeding
- Don‘t hesitate to use chains again if you miss a throw or swing
- Light torches along the way for better visibility
- Cushion long falls by activating R3 sledgehammer slams
- Take breaks eating health stones if combat begins overwhelming you
With smart spear throws and well-timed swings, you‘ll descend safely through the interior to reach a cell-filled corridor – the final section.
Unlocking the Mysterious Bottom Cell
At last, after careful navigation of the exterior and interior, you‘ll come to a wide passage with rows of prison cells. Most lie empty…except for one sealed cell at the end.
Approach and interact with the door to begin a cutscene that provides narrative payoff. Inside waits an NPC with a complex connection to Kratos‘ past.
Their dialogue helps unravel the layered mysteries within God of War Ragnarök‘s epic story. Take time to appreciate this special moment!
Completing this lengthy, multi-stage favor tests your skills while granting an emotional story beat for invested fans. It represents God of War Ragnarök‘s superb level design and heartfelt writing.
Key Takeaways for The Broken Prison Favor
In summary, here are the core steps for successfully traversing The Broken Prison:
- Reach the Aesir Prison Wreckage in Niflheim after completing "Forging Destiny"
- Descend the exterior via spear swinging and chain lowering
- Break the cracked wall on the frozen platform using your axe
- Traverse the interior by throwing spears and swinging strategically
- Unlock the final cell and enjoy the narrative reveal
It‘s one of the game‘s most unique favors, blending traversal, combat, and storytelling into an icy Norse challenge. For those seeking 100% completion, it‘s deeply rewarding.
With this comprehensive guide, you now have all the knowledge needed to fully experience The Broken Prison favor. We hope these tips help in mastering its many mechanics! Let us know if you have any other questions arise exploring the Nine Realms.
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