I think people occasionally exaggerate the mechanical applications of the water wheel. It was an ingenious invention for its time, but all it was really supposed to do was turn stuff. Even so, ancient mythological civilizations can’t seem to get enough of the thing, which is why the Mines in God of War Ragnarok are absolutely lousy with them. Here’s how to solve the Mine water wheel puzzles in God of War Ragnarok.
How to Solve Mine Water Wheel Puzzles in God of War Ragnarok
Midway through God of War Ragnarok’s story, while Kratos and Atreus are seeking out Tyr through the Mines of the Applecore, they find their way blocked by a series of mechanisms powered by water wheels. In order to open up a path forward, Kratos needs to find a way to get the right wheel turning.
Related: God of War Ragnarok: How Tall is Atreus?
There are three water wheel puzzles in total, each slightly more complex than the one before it. In general, though, the one major thing you want to remember is that Kratos can use the Leviathan Axe to freeze parts of the water wheel trough. This can be used to stop or redirect the flow of water.
Water Wheel Puzzle 1
The first puzzle is pretty straightforward: get the wheel turning, raise the crane to swing over the gap. First, look up to the top-right at the trough above the water wheel. There’ll be a blue crystal blocking the water flow, so have Atreus shoot it with a blue rune arrow to clear it away. Once the water starts flowing, through the Leviathan Axe at the trough right above the part that leads down to the wheel. This’ll redirect the water flow onto the water wheel, raising the crane.
Water Wheel Puzzle 2
From the starting point of the second puzzle, look at the water wheel to the left. Throw the Leviathan Axe at the trough right above it to redirect the water onto it. This’ll raise the crane, allowing you to swing over to the other side. Turn around and look at the trough where you just froze it; there’ll be a switch you can activate with the Blades of Chaos to keep the water flowing in the right direction without the Axe needing to stay. Swing back to the other side and use the Axe to freeze the trough on the right side so it flows into the far water wheel. Jump down the ledge to your right and climb the chain on the wall to find another switch above the far wheel, which you can activate with your Blades of Chaos. Finally, return to the far side of the gap and use the Axe to freeze the trough right above you. This’ll bring the lift down.
Water Wheel Puzzle 3
After clearing away the blue crystal and sliding down on the rope, you should enter a large room with several more water-wheel mechanisms. Turn around and head to your left over a small gap to find a wall that you can boost Atreus up. He’ll find a switch you can have him activate, but before that, freeze the trough under him so the water flows onto the wheel. Afterward, have Atreus throw the switch to dump some rocks that’ll keep the water flowing onto the wheel. Return to the center of the room and throw the Axe at the trough above the water wheel on your front right to redirect the flow and raise the crane. Swing over the gap, and you’re done.
Kinda makes you wonder how anyone was supposed to navigate this place without a magic freezing axe. Maybe the miners were just really good at jumping or something.
