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God of War Games in Order
All eight main God of War games in order, covering Kratos's Greek saga (2005-2013) and his Norse saga (2018-2022), in both release order and full in-universe chronological order.
God of War Games in Order โ complete list
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Why this order?
God of War splits cleanly into two sagas, and which order you pick depends on whether you care about release history or Kratos's life story. The release order is the simplest way in: start with the 2005 original on PS2, work through God of War II and the spin-offs, finish the Greek arc with God of War: Ascension (2013), then jump to the Norse reboot God of War (2018) and its sequel God of War Ragnarok (2022). This is how players experienced the series and how the storytelling craft visibly evolves.
Chronological order untangles the Greek prequels, which were released out of sequence. In-universe, God of War: Ascension comes first even though it shipped last in 2013, followed by Chains of Olympus, the original God of War, Ghost of Sparta, then God of War II and III. The Norse games always sit at the end: God of War (2018) is a soft reboot and direct sequel, not a remake, picking up years after Kratos flees Greece, with Ragnarok closing the Norse arc.
For most newcomers, release order is the better experience because the gameplay and presentation improve dramatically over time, and the 2018 entry was deliberately designed as an accessible jumping-on point. You do not need to play the older Greek games to follow it, though they enrich Kratos's backstory and his guilt-driven rage.
If you want the cleanest narrative throughline, use chronological order. Either way the two Norse games must be played in release order, since Ragnarok continues directly from 2018. Fans of myth-heavy action series may also enjoy comparing it to franchises like Assassin's Creed and Devil May Cry, which share its blend of combat and folklore.
Timeline 2005โ2022
Every entry plotted by release year โ see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
- PlayStation 5 (PS Store)
- PlayStation 4
- Steam (God of War 2018 & Ragnarok on PC)
- Epic Games Store (PC)
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
How many God of War games are there?
There are eight main God of War games: six in the Greek saga (2005-2013) and two in the Norse saga, God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok (2022).
What order should I watch God of War in?
For most players, release order is best: start with the 2005 original and finish with Ragnarok. For story order, begin with Ascension and end with the two Norse games.
Is God of War (2018) a remake or a sequel?
It is a soft reboot and a direct sequel, not a remake. It continues Kratos's story years after the Greek saga, relocating him to the world of Norse mythology.
Do I need to play the Greek games before God of War (2018)?
No. The 2018 game was designed as an accessible jumping-on point. Playing the Greek saga adds depth to Kratos's backstory but is not required to follow the Norse arc.
Why is Ascension first in chronological order if it came out last?
Ascension released in 2013 but is set earliest in Kratos's life, before the events of the original 2005 game, making it the chronological starting point of the Greek saga.
Are the PSP games worth playing?
Yes. Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta are full-fledged entries that fill key gaps in Kratos's Greek story and were later released on PS3 in HD collections.
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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