God of War Games In Order 2025: Complete Playing Guide

As someone who has followed Kratos’s journey from his vengeful origins in Greek mythology to his redemptive path in Norse realms, I understand why new players often feel overwhelmed by the God of War series. With nearly 20 years of history spanning multiple platforms and two distinct mythological sagas, figuring out the right order to play these games can be confusing.

The best order to play God of War games depends on your goals: for story continuity, play in chronological order starting with Ascension (2013); for the best gameplay experience, play in release order starting with the original God of War (2005); or for newcomers, start with God of War (2018) then explore the series based on your interests.

After spending countless hours playing through this legendary PlayStation franchise across different consoles, I’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the series. Whether you’re a newcomer drawn in by the 2018 reboot or a completionist wanting to experience every Kratos adventure, this guide will help you choose the perfect playing order for your journey.

In this guide, you’ll discover both chronological and release order options, learn which games are essential versus skippable, understand platform availability, and get specific recommendations based on your playing style and time constraints.

Quick Reference: Which Order Should You Choose?

Before diving into detailed game descriptions, here’s your immediate answer based on player type:

Complete Chronological Order (Story Timeline)

Playing in chronological order means following the story’s timeline, not the release dates. This approach provides the best story continuity but requires dealing with significant gameplay evolution between early and later games.

Based on my experience playing through the entire series chronologically, here’s the complete story timeline with each game’s significance:

1. God of War: Ascension (2013) – Set six months after Kratos accidentally kills his wife and daughter. This prequel shows Kratos breaking his blood oath to Ares and beginning his journey of revenge against the Greek gods. Estimated playtime: 10-12 hours.
2. God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008) – Takes place between Ascension and the original game. Kratos serves the gods while still haunted by his past. This PSP gem reveals Kratos’s relationship with his daughter Calliope. Estimated playtime: 8-10 hours.
3. God of War (2005) – The original game that started it all. Kratos seeks revenge against Ares for tricking him into killing his family. This game establishes the core Greek saga and introduces Kratos’s iconic Blades of Chaos. Estimated playtime: 9-11 hours.
4. God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010) – Set between God of War 1 and 2, this PSP entry explores Kratos’s relationship with his brother Deimos and reveals more of his Spartan origins. It’s emotionally powerful and crucial for understanding Kratos’s character. Estimated playtime: 8-10 hours.
5. God of War II (2007) – Kratos, now God of War, is betrayed by Zeus. This sequel expands the scope significantly and features some of the most epic moments in the entire series. Estimated playtime: 12-15 hours.
6. God of War: Betrayal (2007) – A mobile game set between God of War 2 and 3. While non-essential, it fills in some story gaps. Note: This game is no longer available and can be skipped without missing major plot points.
7. God of War III (2010) – The epic conclusion to the Greek saga. Kratos finally gets his revenge against Zeus and the Olympian gods. This game features some of the most intense boss battles in gaming history. Estimated playtime: 12-15 hours.
8. God of War (2018) – The soft reboot that jumps to Norse mythology. Many years after the Greek saga, a now-older Kratos lives in Midgard with his son Atreus. This game reimagines the series with over-the-shoulder camera and deeper character development. Estimated playtime: 25-35 hours.
9. God of War Ragnarök (2022) – Direct sequel to the 2018 game, continuing Kratos and Atreus’s journey through the Norse realms as Ragnarök approaches. This conclusion to the Norse saga expands on everything that made the 2018 game great. Estimated playtime: 30-40 hours.
10. God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (2023) – Free DLC epilogue that provides additional roguelite-style content after the main story. It’s optional but offers meaningful character development for Kratos. Estimated playtime: 10-15 hours.

Release Date Order (When Games Actually Came Out)

Playing in release order means experiencing the games as they were originally released. This approach shows how the series evolved mechanically and technologically, which can be fascinating for gaming enthusiasts.

1. God of War (2005) – PS2
2. God of War II (2007) – PS2
3. God of War: Betrayal (2007) – Mobile (discontinued)
4. God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008) – PSP
5. God of War III (2010) – PS3
6. God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010) – PSP
7. God of War: Ascension (2013) – PS3
8. God of War (2018) – PS4 (also on PC and PS5)
9. God of War Ragnarök (2022) – PS4/PS5
10. God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (2023) – PS4/PS5 (free DLC)

Having played through the series both ways, I found that release order provides a better appreciation for how Santa Monica Studio evolved the combat system, graphics, and storytelling techniques over nearly two decades. However, the story can feel slightly less coherent this way.

Recommended Playing Orders for Different Players

For Complete Newcomers: The 2018 First Approach

If you’ve never played a God of War game before, I recommend starting with God of War (2018). This soft reboot was designed to be accessible to new players while still satisfying longtime fans. The game explains enough of Kratos’s backstory without requiring knowledge of previous titles.

After completing the 2018 game and Ragnarök, you can decide whether to explore the Greek saga based on your interest. Many players I’ve spoken with found this approach less intimidating and more enjoyable than diving into the older games with dated mechanics.

For Story Enthusiasts: The Chronological Path

If you prioritize story continuity above all else, chronological order is your best bet. Start with Ascension and work your way through the timeline. This approach ensures you understand every character motivation and plot development in sequence.

Be prepared for significant gameplay differences between the older and newer games. The Greek saga features more button-mashing combat and linear level design, while the Norse games offer deeper mechanics and semi-open worlds. I found this contrast jarring at first but ultimately rewarding for understanding Kratos’s full character arc.

For Gameplay Purists: The Release Order Experience

Players who appreciate game design evolution should play in release order. This approach lets you experience the gradual improvements in combat, graphics, and storytelling techniques that Santa Monica Studio implemented over the years.

You’ll notice how each game built upon its predecessor’s successes and learned from its failures. The progression from the simple hack-and-slash of the original to the sophisticated combat system of Ragnarök is genuinely impressive when experienced chronologically.

For Time-Constrained Players: The Essential Games

If you don’t have 100+ hours to invest in the entire series, focus on these essential games: God of War (2018), God of War Ragnarök, God of War (2005), and God of War III. This selection gives you the complete story arcs of both the Greek and Norse sagas.

This approach takes approximately 60-70 hours total and provides the most meaningful story beats without spending time on less crucial entries. I’ve guided several friends through this curated path, and they all felt satisfied with their understanding of Kratos’s journey.

Where to Play Each Game: Platform Availability Guide

One of the biggest challenges for new players is accessing older games. Here’s where you can play each game in the series:

For players without older PlayStation consoles, PlayStation Now offers streaming access to most Greek saga games. However, I recommend the collection versions on PS3 or the remastered versions on PS4 for the best experience.

Essential vs. Skippable Games

Not all God of War games are created equal. Based on community consensus and my personal experience, here’s how the games stack up in terms of importance:

Essential Games (Must Play)

• God of War (2018) & Ragnarök: The Norse saga represents the pinnacle of the series, with refined gameplay and deeper storytelling.
• God of War (2005): The original that established the franchise formula and Kratos’s backstory.
• God of War III: Epic conclusion to the Greek saga with unforgettable set pieces.

Highly Recommended

• Ghost of Sparta: Excellent character development for Kratos and crucial backstory.
• God of War II: Expands the Greek saga significantly and improves on the original.
• Chains of Olympus: Emotional story that reveals Kratos’s softer side.

Optional/Skippable

• Ascension: Prequel that doesn’t significantly impact the main story. Skip if you’re not enjoying the combat.
• Betrayal: Mobile game that’s no longer available and adds minimal story value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Recommendations

After guiding dozens of friends through the God of War series and experiencing every entry multiple times myself, here are my final recommendations based on different player profiles:

Best Overall Experience: Start with God of War (2018), then play Ragnarök. If you’re hooked, go back and play the Greek saga in release order (2005, II, Chains, III, Ghost, Ascension). This approach gives you the best gameplay experience first while preserving story reveals.

Best Story Experience: Play chronologically from Ascension through Valhalla. Be prepared for gameplay evolution, but you’ll understand every character motivation and story beat in perfect sequence.

Best Time Investment: Focus on the four essential games: God of War (2018), Ragnarök, the original God of War (2005), and God of War III. This gives you both complete saga experiences in about 60-70 hours.

The God of War series represents one of gaming’s greatest character arcs, following Kratos from a mindless vessel of revenge to a thoughtful father grappling with his past. Whatever order you choose, you’re in for an unforgettable journey through two distinct mythological worlds.

For players interested in similar mythology-based action games, our Hades 2 beginner’s guide offers insights into another excellent game inspired by ancient mythology. If you’re playing on PC, check our system requirements guide to ensure your setup can handle demanding games like God of War.