(minimal spoilers please) Are there any permanently missable items, achievements, or other optional things?

[sumwun]

By "permanently missable", I mean I can't finish the game, reload the file saved right before (or after) the end, and go back to pick up everything I missed. If there are, are there any minimal-spoiler guides I can follow to make sure I do as much optional stuff as possible, or should I just not try to do this the first time I play the game?

[DGCmondo]

nothing is missable some of the collectables you cant get first time anyway as they would be locked until you progress more into the story so i would just complete the game then do all the collectables and mini bosses

[JorgeJunior]

Originally posted by sumwun:

...are there any minimal-spoiler guides I can follow to make sure I do as much optional stuff as possible, or should I just not try to do this the first time I play the game?

As our friend above said, there are no missable collectables. As for the guide, I think you don't need it. Just don't go straight to the main mission, do the side quests first. If it's too hard, come back later when you're stronger.

If you want, you can do everything before the final boss, meaning max out your gear, visit every area and defeat hidden enemies. If you want to do it, just pay attention to the dialogues. You'll have a hint when you're going to a point of no return. If the weapons are not maxed out, just don't proceed. Go explore a little more. 👍🏽

That's how I played it.
I could've completed things after the final boss, but, in my opinion, it would be only for achievements, and not part of the adventure, you know?! 👍🏽

[HRRoach]

The story is only a portion of the game. Many of the best armor is gained outside of the main story, but only unlocks during the story. If you can beat the valyrie's that is a good example. There are three dragons to set free. Easily missable. During the dwarven favors, Hail to the King is one favor that has a dragon to free. You can complete the favor and leave the dragon alone and miss the chance to free it. I don't recall what reward it gives you, likely you can bet you get a nice piece of skap slag!!!

[JorgeJunior]

Originally posted by HRRoach:

... You can complete the favor and leave the dragon alone and miss the chance to free it...

OK, now that OP knows about the dragons, I can mention them. 😕
If you're a curious explorer, finding them is not that hard.

You see something from afar, and go to investigate it. You don't see the dragon, but you can hear it, it's loud.
During a favor to a spirit, Atreus breaks something that reveals a climbable wall. A curious player would climb it.
As to Hail to the King, you don't see the dragon, but Atreus does, and he mentions it to Kratos. Even if you prefer to ignore Atreus, the map shows you're missing something in the area.

[HRRoach]

Originally posted by JorgeJunior:

Originally posted by HRRoach:

... You can complete the favor and leave the dragon alone and miss the chance to free it...

OK, now that OP knows about the dragons, I can mention them. 😕
If you're a curious explorer, finding them is not that hard.

You see something from afar, and go to investigate it. You don't see the dragon, but you can hear it, it's loud.
During a favor to a spirit, Atreus breaks something that reveals a climbable wall. A curious player would climb it.
As to Hail to the King, you don't see the dragon, but Atreus does, and he mentions it to Kratos. Even if you prefer to ignore Atreus, the map shows you're missing something in the area.

Yeah I was probably trying to say you can miss the dragon favors if you do not do the dwarven favors freeing them is a choice but you can do the dwarven missions whether you free them or not. Is that better?
You are right if you find the area, you won't miss the dragon.
It took me a while to open the big gates to go to one of them, and that was not a dwarven mission now I think about it it was a favor for a soul, otherwise I might not have opened those giant doors. There are also some areas you might miss while exploring the lake, One of those caverns is kind of hard to spot. But the game is pretty linear all in all there are not too many alternate paths to get places, hidden stuff is not too hard to find. Have fun I am playing it again for the 5th time. on ng+

[HRRoach]

What I really should have said is when the story is over you can still keep playing that game and also can carry all your stuff to new game + so it does not need to be fully played before you finish the story. You just hang out and travel around as much as you like after the story or play the story again with better and better gear