Alexis Kestler
Adventuring with Kratos and Atreus in God of War Ragnarök will lead you to uncover various Favors scattered throughout the Nine Realms. These optional side activities provide valuable rewards and lore expansions outside of the main story. One such Favor located in the sprawling Jungle region is "Return of the River"—a quest focused on restoring the natural flow of water to a dried-up riverbed.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to complete the Return of the River Favor, including:
- The story behind the Jungle‘s river and why it needs restoring
- Helpful tips for defeating the area‘s tough Jungle Ogre mini-boss
- A full step-by-step walkthrough for opening the flood gates
- How to claim your rewards – including a legendary Berserker grave
- Additional recommendations for exploring the Jungle
After reading, you‘ll be an expert on tackling this intriguing favor and reaping all of its rewards!
The Legend Behind the Jungle‘s River
Before diving into the favor itself, it helps to understand the background of the Jungle‘s dried-up river that plays such a key role. According to legends among the native nature spirits of the Jungle, the river once flowed strong and steady, bringing life and nourishment throughout the region.
But after a great battle between warring factions left ruin in their wake, the river‘s precious waters were diverted and blocked by debris and destruction. With its critical water source cut off, the Jungle languished into a hazardous wasteland overrun with rampaging beasts and malicious monsters who relished the chaos.
Restoring the river‘s flow promises to revive the Jungle back to its former tranquil glory. So when Atreus learns of this legend from the spirits upon arriving in the area, he sees an opportunity for Kratos to help undo some of the damage caused by conflicts among gods and men. And so begins the favor appropriately named Return of the River.
Strategy for Defeating the Jungle Ogre
The first obstacle that stands in the way of starting the Return of the River favor is a massive Jungle Ogre who makes his home in the dried river basin.
This hulking ogre is extremely quick and aggressive. He‘ll attempt to tackle and grab you with rushed charges and slam attacks that deal heavy damage. It‘s critical to use speed and precision to gradually whittle down his health.
I recommend beginning the fight equipped with the Leviathan Axe and opening up with powerful ranged axe throws. When the ogre charges, dodge roll out of the way then quickly retaliate with close-range axe combos.
Once his health drops below 1/3rd, he‘ll become more reckless with his bull rush moves. Switch to the Blades of Chaos at this stage to excel at dodging his charges and punishing with fast blade combos at close range. The Blades‘ wide sweeps are great for hitting the ogre‘s massive torso and staggering him.
For runic attacks, focus on high stun options like Hel‘s Touch to keep the ogre briefly frozen so you can land extra hits. Use Spartan Rage as a last resort if you need time to recover health. With patience and by properly alternating your axe and blade attacks, the towering ogre will finally fall.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough for Unlocking the Flood Gates
After the ogre is slain, a short cutscene will play out indicating the Return of the River favor has begun. Your goal now is to locate a series of gates and wheels that will unleash the river water to flood and rejuvenate the dried basin when opened.
Here are the steps to open the flood gates:
Follow the Trail to the Dam
Consult your compass and track the objective marker leading northeast through winding jungle trails. You‘ll need to traverse across some chasms using the Blades‘ grappling ability. Eventually you‘ll reach a towering dam structure with ramps and platforms leading upwards.
Ascending the massive dam in the jungle
Scale the Dam to the Top
Leap across gaps and scale up the tiers of the dam using the Blades to grapple across footholds. Be ready to defeat some Nightmare Haunts lurking among the ruins. There are also some destructible wooden barriers you‘ll need to break through using axe throws or blade attacks.
Once you‘ve reached the topmost platform, look for a wheel mechanism to interact with on the left side. This will raise a massive sluice gate.
Spin the wheel to raise the sluice gate
Obtain the Draupnir Spear
Up ahead past the sluice gate you‘ll see a dead end with a Wind Fissure. Use the special Draupnir Spear found earlier in the Jungle to destroy the blue crystals and open the path. If you don‘t have it yet, backtrack to the Nidvellir Mine Winds to retrieve this vital legendary weapon.
The Draupnir Spear opens the Wind Fissure
Create a Hex Bubble Chain
Pass through the opened fissure into a corridor covered in red corrupted branches. You‘ll need to burn them away to progress. Look along the stone wall to spot clusters of Hex Bubbles you can enlarge.
Throw your Blades precisely to link the bubbles into a continuous chain running up the wall. Once they are connected, ignite them with Blazing Surge by throwing the Blades into the center Hex Bubble to trigger an explosive chain reaction.
Open the Final Flood Gate
With the branches cleared, climb up the path to reach the peak. A final massive wheel mechanism sits waiting to be turned, which will open the flood gates and unleash the river‘s restoring waters into the basin.
Interact with the wheel mechanism to watch a satisfying cutscene of gushing water cascading into the dried canyon below, completing the favor.
Claiming Your Rewards
You‘ll obtain the following rewards upon finishing Return of the River:
- Tempered Remnants – Upgrade material for armor crafting
- Bonded Leather – Upgrade material for axe/blade pommels
- Shattered Runes – Upgrade currency for skills
But the real prize is access to the legendary Berserker Gravestone tucked away in the southeast corner of the Jungle called The Sinkholes.
The Sinkholes Berserker Gravestone
Opening the gravestone requires 3 Berserker Gravestones, but it‘s well worth it. Inside lies the Bell‘s Chime heavy runic attack enchantment which boosts all runic damage by 10% while causing nearby enemies to take 20% more stagger.
This is an extremely useful enchantment for Kratos‘s Leviathan Axe or Blades of Chaos. Equipping it will allow you to obliterate high-level enemies with enhanced power.
More to Explore in the Jungle
The Jungle region of God of War Ragnarök contains other Favors to take on, like freeing spirits in In Service of Asgard or restoring a lost sanctuary in Freya‘s Missing Peace. I also recommend seeking out the Jungle‘s Legendary Chest, located on the cliffs northwest of the River Basin.
Inside this special chest lies Haunted Remains which are rare crafting materials needed for high level armor upgrades. Traversing through the Jungle will also lead you to mystic gateways letting you travel and explore the other Nine Realms.
So if you still need more to accomplish after the Return of the River favor, there‘s plenty more to be found in the Jungle‘s depths!
And that wraps up this complete guide on taking on the Return of the River Favor and restoring the Jungle‘s lifeline in God of War Ragnarök! Let me know if you have any other questions in your own legendary Norse journey with Kratos and Atreus. I‘m always happy to provide more tips and tricks. Glory to you!
