God of War Games in Order: Play the Series Chronologically and by Release Date

God of War is a massive series with over seven major titles and three side games. Playing God of War games in order is the best way to experience Kratos’ journey, character development, and relationships.

Getting to all God of War games in order of release date protects the players from any spoilers for the following games. The player can choose whether they value a chronological story or a spoiler-free experience.

If players want to follow the story as it happens, they can enjoy the God of War games in chronological order. The long game list includes prequels and side stories that are considered canon to the narrative. With God of War Ragnarok (and its Valhalla DLC) coming soon to PC, players might want to start their journey of vengeance and redemption soon.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. God of War Games in Order of Release Date
3. God of War Games in Chronological Order
4. Full list of God of War Games in Detail
5. The Bottom Line
6. FAQs
7. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. God of War Games in Order of Release Date
3. God of War Games in Chronological Order
Show Full Guide
4. Full list of God of War Games in Detail
5. The Bottom Line
6. FAQs
7. References

God of War Games in Order of Release Date

God of War Games in Chronological Order

Playing all God of War games in order of release is excellent, but sometimes going with the timeline order is better. Players seeking the God of War games in chronological order can follow this list:

Full list of God of War Games in Detail

God of War (2005)

The opening sequence of Kratos jumping off a cliff sets the tone of God of War from the get-go. A flashback then fills in the blanks for the players and explains Kratos’ predicament. Athena tasked Kratos with killing the Greek God of War, Aries. The Spartan army Captain takes a long journey to find Pandora’s Box and use it to slay the God of War.

After his dramatic plunge into the Aegean Sea, Athena takes him out and places him on a throne. This completes Kratos’ 10-year-long ascension to become the God of War. The first game tackles how Kratos entered God’s servitude and explores how he got the iconic Blades of Chaos.

God of War 2 (2007)

God of War 2 is the next mainline entry if you are playing the God of War games in order of release. The title puts Kratos against Zeus, the God of sky and thunder in Greek Mythology. With Kratos rampaging in Olympus and rejecting Athena’s request for peace, Zeus comes to the battlefield to take on the God of War.

Another vital character from Greek mythology, Gaia, guides Kratos. The mother of Titans and Earth provides Kratos with a way of changing the past and saving his life. The story explores Kratos’ true nature and bloodline.

God of War: Betrayal (2007)

Playing this game will be tricky, even if you are set on experiencing every God of War game. That’s because God of War: Betrayal is a 2D side-scrolling game released on older Java-based phones. While a primitive pre-smartphone mobile title, it’s still in the God of War canon.

Despite technological limitations, the side-scrolling God of War retains all the elements of home console releases. Combo-focused combat, puzzles, and platforming are all present in the game. Unfortunately, unless you’ve got an old Java phone in a drawer somewhere, your only chance to play is to emulate the software, which can be frustrating to get working.

God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)

God of War: Chains of Olympus is a PlayStation Portable (PSP) title set halfway through Kartos’s 10-year service to the gods. The game is set five years before the events of the original and tasks Kratos with saving Helios, the Titan God of the Sun, who is imprisoned in the Underworld.

God of War: Chains of Olympus is the first title to play if you take on God of War PSP games in order. Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld, is the main antagonist in God of War: Chains of Olympus. She entices Kratos with a chance of seeing his daughter again, but Kratos chooses duty over his desires.

God of War 3 (2010)

God of War 3 takes place right after the events of the second game. Kratos’ war with the Olympians and Zeus continues in God of War III. He is betrayed once again and is sent to the Underworld. An old ally aids him in getting back and taking down Zeus for the last time.

Kratos fights through Titans and Gods to reach the showdown with Zeus. After the battle, Kratos makes a sacrifice and gives hope to humankind, capping off the original trilogy. It was originally released for the PS3, but can now be played on the PS4 thanks to the excellent God of War 3 Remastered available physically and digitally through the PlayStation Store.

God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)

If you’re planning on completing the God of War PSP games in order, you’ll have the brutal pleasure of Ghost of Sparta, which nests between the first and second console games. The title refers to Kratos’ pale white appearance, a curse from an Oracle that binds the ashes of his wife and child to his skin permanently.

The story follows Kratos traveling to Atlantis to meet his mother and brother, Deimos. Ghost of Sparta has Kratos reunite with his brother and take on the God of Death, Thanatos. It’s a full-length adventure that takes some bold risks on the formula, thanks to excellent level design and leading boss fights which put some of the earlier series entries to shame.

God of War: Ascension (2013)

God of War: Ascension is the first game on the list of all God of War games in chronological order. The seventh game in the series takes place 10 years before the events of the first game and explores how Kratos went from being a Spartan army Captain to the titular God of War.

We see Kratos making the fateful deal with Ares which results in the deaths of his wife and daughter in horrific fashion, as the arrogant Spartan is humbled and given his (seemingly) unending quest for vengeance. The combat was the best seen in the hack-and-slash genre at the time, with savage combos, and was a true showcase of the PS3’s technical power. However, it paled in comparison to God of War 3’s scale, leading to it being less fondly remembered by gamers.

God of War: A Call from the Wilds (2018)

God of War: A Call from the Wilds is a prequel to 2018’s soft reboot of the series. The text-based game can only be played through Facebook Messenger. It focuses on Atreus and his relationship with his mother, Faye.

The game takes Atreus, Kratos’ son, through a journey of learning archery, deciphering runes, and coming to grips with his powers. Unfortunately, the game is no longer available on Facebook. However, full playthroughs are available on YouTube for fans. It’s hardly an essential piece of the God of War timeline, but it’s worth experiencing at least once to get the full lore.

God of War (2018)

The PlayStation 4 soft-reboot of the series has an aged Kratos living an isolated life with his somewhat distant son. After the demise of his wife Faye, Kratos aims to train his son Atreus to be self-sufficient until an unexpected visitor shakes his life up. It’s a more meaningful experience with an emphasis on storytelling which may not please older franchise diehards but has been adopted by newer gamers.

The game has Kratos navigate his feelings, bond with Atreus, and ultimately reveal the truth to his son. God of War (2018) shifts gears to Norse mythology and features gods like Magni, Modi, and Baldur.

The new combat system is slow but impactful, giving players a satisfying experience in contrast to the previous spectacle fighter titles. The harder difficulty also means players cannot hack and slash like older God of War games. The soft reboot makes weapon combos and timing more critical than button mashing.

God of War Ragnarok (2022)

God of War Ragnarok takes place a few years after the events of God of War (2018). Atreus is now older and can help Kratos more during fights. He struggles with his identity, and when Odin decides to use Atreus for his own goals, Kratos steps in.

Plenty of characters from the PS4 game make a return in Ragnarok. Atreus is now playable for the first time, fully using his new powers and identity. The goal this time around is to travel the nine realms, defeat the Asgardians, and get through Ragnarok. It’s the most recent game in the franchise to date, and the end of the current timeline, at least for now.

The Bottom Line

There you have it! Every God of War game in order and ready to offer you hundreds of hours of gameplay. Do you accept the challenge before the next chapter comes along?

Your main tools are a PlayStation and a PSP, but don’t forget to dig out an old Java-based phone if you are a completionist!

FAQs