How to Play the God of War Games in Order

So you're diving into Kratos' world. Smart move. But where do you start?

The God of War franchise spans nearly two decades. Ten games. Two mythologies. One extremely angry Spartan. Whether you're here because of the Norse reboot or want to experience everything from the PS2 days, figuring out the best way to play these games needs some thought.

Here's the thing: there's no single "correct" order. Your choice depends on what you're after. Story continuity? Gameplay evolution? Or jumping straight into the best parts?

Release Order vs. Chronological Order

Let's break this down.

Release order follows how the games launched. You'll watch the series grow from hack-and-slash mayhem into something deeper. Combat systems refine. Graphics leap forward. Storytelling matures. There's value in seeing Santa Monica Studio's evolution, though you'll bounce around Kratos' timeline.

Chronological order tracks Kratos' life from start to finish. His journey makes more sense this way. No flashbacks. No prequels muddying the waters. But here's the catch: you'll start with Ascension, widely considered the weakest entry. Not exactly the best first impression.

The Chronological Path

Want to follow Kratos' story as it happened? This is your route.

God of War: Ascension (2013) kicks things off six months after Kratos murders his wife and daughter. Tricked by Ares, he's now imprisoned by the Furies for breaking his blood oath. The game's combat leans heavily into brutal action, though many fans find the narrative underwhelming compared to later entries.

Next comes God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008). Kratos serves the Olympian gods during his decade of servitude. The sun god Helios vanishes, plunging the world into darkness. In the Underworld, Kratos meets Persephone, who offers him a chance to reunite with his deceased daughter. The choice he faces: personal happiness or saving the world.

God of War (2005) arrives third chronologically. Three weeks before the opening scene, Athena assigns Kratos his final task as penance: kill Ares and save Athens from siege. The journey takes him to Hades where he claims Pandora's Box, defeats the God of War, and earns his freedom. Athena grants him the throne of Olympus. Kratos becomes the new God of War.

Ghost of Sparta (2010) slots between the first and second games. Kratos searches for his brother Deimos, believed dead. The PSP title explores Kratos' emotional core, revealing the pain and guilt that godhood couldn't erase. His final confrontation with Thanatos, the God of Death, ends with his brother's death and the complete destruction of the deity.

Then there's Betrayal (2007), a mobile side-scrolling game you'll struggle to play today. Kratos gets accused of murdering a fellow Olympian. It's canon, but honestly? Skip it unless you're a completionist. The game's impact on the overall narrative is minimal.

God of War II (2007) sees Zeus betray and strip Kratos of his godhood. Rescued by the Titans, he travels back in time to prevent Zeus from ever rising to power. The combat feels smoother than the original, with the Blades of Athena replacing the Blades of Chaos.

God of War III (2010) closes the Greek saga. Kratos storms Mount Olympus with the Titans, systematically destroying the gods. When the Titans betray him too, Kratos wipes them out. His final confrontation with Zeus brings a moment of self-forgiveness, setting up a new path forward.

Jump ahead to the Norse era. God of War (2018) drops Kratos in ancient Norway with a son named Atreus. His second wife Faye has died, leaving one final wish: spread her ashes at the highest peak of the nine realms. The journey transforms into a fight against Baldur, sent by Odin to prevent Ragnarök. This game ranked 4th in our list of the top 11 best video game storylines, and for good reason.

God of War Ragnarök (2022) concludes the Norse storyline. Kratos and Atreus face Thor and Odin as they try to prevent the prophesied end of the world. They fail to stop Ragnarök, but discover it only destroys Asgard. The nine realms unite in war against the Aesir gods.

Finally, God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (2023) serves as an epilogue. Released as free DLC, this roguelite mode sees Kratos enter Valhalla, confronting echoes of his past in increasingly difficult combat trials.

The Release Order Route

Here's the sequence most long-time fans experienced:

1. God of War (2005)
2. God of War II (2007)
3. God of War: Betrayal (2007)
4. God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)
5. God of War III (2010)
6. God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)
7. God of War: Ascension (2013)
8. God of War (2018)
9. God of War Ragnarök (2022)
10. God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (2023)

Playing this way lets you appreciate the technical and narrative growth. The prequel games fill in backstory without breaking momentum. You'll understand why the 2018 reboot felt so fresh after Ascension stumbled.

The Newcomer's Path

Just getting started? Here's a controversial take: begin with God of War (2018).

The Norse reboot was designed as an entry point. You'll get enough backstory through dialogue and environmental storytelling. The game introduces an older, wearier Kratos trying to be a better father than he was a god. Starting here lets you experience the series at its best before deciding whether to explore the Greek era.

After finishing the 2018 game and Ragnarök, backtrack to the original God of War. See where Kratos came from. The gameplay feels dated compared to modern entries, but the pure rage and spectacle still holds up. Then play through the rest of the Greek saga in release order.

This approach keeps you engaged. You're not slogging through Ascension's weaker narrative when you're fresh. You've already fallen in love with the character before seeing his worst moments.

What About Skippable Games?

Two entries won't hurt you if you miss them.

God of War: Betrayal is nearly impossible to play today anyway. Originally a Java ME mobile game, it's considered the series low point. You'd need emulation on Android or PC to even attempt it. The story's impact is negligible.

A Call from the Wilds (2018) was a text-based Facebook game promoting the Norse reboot. It's been delisted. You're not missing anything critical.

If you're struggling with Ascension, consider watching a recap on YouTube instead. The game has spectacular action sequences, but the story and multiplayer focus didn't resonate with many fans.

Platform Availability

Most God of War games were PlayStation exclusives for years. That changed recently.

The 2018 game launched on Steam and Epic Games Store on 14 January 2022. God of War Ragnarök followed on 19 September 2024, including the Valhalla DLC. Both PC versions support 4K resolution, unlocked frame rates, ultrawide displays, and Nvidia DLSS.

The Greek-era games remain locked to PlayStation hardware. You'll need a PS2, PS3, or PS4/PS5 (through backwards compatibility) to play them. Several collections bundle the older titles together, making them easier to access.

Sony cancelled a live-service God of War game in January 2025. Bluepoint Games was developing the project after working on Ragnarök, but it never saw release.

The Verdict

Your best approach depends entirely on your priorities.

For narrative completionists: chronological order gives you Kratos' full arc. Accept that you're starting with the weakest game.

For gameplay enthusiasts: release order shows the series' evolution. You'll appreciate each game's improvements over its predecessor.

For newcomers: start with God of War (2018). Jump to Ragnarök. Then decide if you want to explore the Greek mythology era.

The God of War series has sold over 66 million copies worldwide. It's PlayStation's most profitable first-party brand. There's a reason these games resonate. Pick your order and experience why.

A television adaptation of the Norse era is currently in development for Amazon Prime Video, with Ronald D. Moore leading production. Filming should begin in 2026.

Whether you're here for brutal combat, mythological spectacle, or surprisingly deep father-son dynamics, there's never been a better time to start this journey. Grab your axe. The realms are waiting.