God of War is perhaps one of the most recognizable series on PlayStation because to its two Norse-set blockbusters. God of War, a PlayStation 2 game, gained popularity thanks to its outstanding action gameplay, captivating story of divine retribution, and iconic protagonist, the Spartan demigod Kratos. A decade and a half later, God of War has developed into one of the most influential action-adventure series in gaming history, combining ever-more-deft action with richer history and a more compelling storyline, driven by a more mature and sympathetic Kratos.
We’ve put together this series timeline for people who want to play (or repeat) God of War Ragnarok from the beginning because it has earned a spot in the pantheon of all-time greats.
What Is the Number of God of War Games?
Ten God of War games have been released by Sony: two for portable consoles, one for mobile devices, six for home consoles, and one text-adventure game for Facebook Messenger.
God of War: Mimir’s Vision, the game’s second mobile release, is not included here because it merely gives players background information about the God of War universe rather than contributing to the continuing story. Despite its humorous inclusion in the God of War mythos, PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is likewise not included in this chronology.
Though this list solely includes video games, there are also a number of God of War storylines that are told in novels and comic books.
Which God of War Game Is Best to Start with?
Though God of War: Ascension was officially the first game in the series chronologically, you should really start with God of War (2018). Playable on PC as well as PS4 and PS5, it’s accessible to all platforms. It’s a fantastic place for someone who has never seen the series before to start.
The God of War Games arranged chronologically
The characters, settings, and plot points of each game are somewhat revealed in these synopses.
1. God of War: Ascension (2013)
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Ascension, the first God of War game in terms of chronology but the eighth in terms of release date, is a revenge story that delves into Kratos’s early years as he transitions from a Spartan demigod into the God of War.
Ascension occurs several months after the Greek God of War Ares tricked Kratos into murdering his wife and daughter (more on this under the original God of War part below). Because of his trauma over the killings, Kratos breaks his promise to Ares, which initiates the saga of Ascension. Kratos must destroy the three opposing Furies in the game in order to break free from his pledge because Ares uses them to exact revenge.As the narrative comes to a close, Kratos is still suffering from sadness and has left his Spartan home behind.
2. God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)
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God of War: Chains of Olympus, a PSP game, tells the story of Kratos’s next adventure. Olympus is set halfway through Kratos’s ten-year (five-year prelude to God of War) duty to the gods, which, upon completion, will release him from the agonizing flashbacks of his past.
The primary plot is Kratos being sent by Athena to save Helios, the Titan God of the Sun, from the underworld. He meets Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, who serves as the main adversary of the game, there. When Kratos gets the chance to see his daughter again, Persephone gives him a difficult time dealing with the cataclysmic consequences of their reunion and his duty to give Helios back to the gods.
3. God of War (2005)
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The first God of War game opens with Kratos giving in to his sadness and plunging from a cliff into the Aegean Sea. It is set around ten years after Ascension. We go back three weeks to find out what pushed the Spartan over the edge before he ever reaches the water.
As Kratos’ time as a deity draws to a conclusion, Athena gives him one last mission: vanquish Ares and break the siege of Athens. As his prize, the promise of pardon for his previous crimes, Kratos sets out to seize Pandora’s Box and eliminate Ares. After going through all of hell and back for the mission, Kratos finally faces the God of War. As we witnessed in the game’s introduction, Kratos jumps off the bluff, triumphant but yet burdened by his past. His ten-year journey to become the God of War is completed when Athena plungs him out of the river and offers him a throne on Olympus.
Through cut sequences, a narrator shares important background information regarding Kratos’s life throughout the game. In the past, Kratos was regarded as a noble captain in the Spartan army. He was about to perish and lose to a vast horde of barbarians when he surrendered himself to Ares in exchange for the win. After responding to the summons, Ares vanquished the barbarians and used the Blades of Chaos to fuse Kratos’ arms into his own.
4. God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)
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The second PSP game in the series, Ghost of Sparta, is set in between God of War and God of War 2. The term “Kratos” alludes to the character’s ghostly appearance, which was caused by an oracle’s curse that adhered the ashes of Kratos’ wife and child to his skin.
Ghost of Sparta brings two family storylines to a satisfying conclusion: When Kratos goes to Atlantis, he meets his brother Deimos, who has been missing for a long time because the gods took him away when he was a toddler in order to stop Olympus from fulfilling its prophecy of destruction.
In the last scene, Kratos and his brother are reunited and engage in combat with Thanatos, the Greek God of Death. Even though Kratos prevails, it’s yet another unhappy conclusion. As the credits start to roll, Kratos is even more frustrated and enraged with the other Olympians.
5. God of War: Betrayal (2007)
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The official God of War canon now includes this mobile 2D sidescroller, according to Bruno Velazquez, the director of animation at Sony Santa Monica. The gods, enraged by Kratos’s appetite for blood, try to put an end to his most recent victory by enlisting the help of Argos, a multi-eyed giant who works for Hera, Queen of the Gods. To further sour Kratos’ connection with Olympus, he is set up as the murderer of Argos by an anonymous assassin. Later, in an attempt to stop Kratos from destroying anything further, Zeus sends a message. Kratos responds violently, disobeying the other gods once more. In God of War 2, betrayal leaves players with the following warning, which foreshadows future events: “Soon, the fury of Zeus would rain down upon [Kratos].”
God of War: Betrayal was not available on contemporary mobile stores when it was released in 2007, predating the popularity of smartphones. It can be ignored without repercussions, but in order to play it, one must use a Java emulator.
6. God of War 2 (2007)
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Zeus, the King of Olympus, squares up against Kratos in God of War 2. After years of going on a rampage that has earned him rejection from society, Kratos ignores Athena’s request for peace and carries on inflicting destruction across Greece. The last straw for Olympus is when Zeus arrives on the battlefield and murders Kratos.
Mother of the Titans and Earth, Gaia, becomes a new ally for Kratos. She gives Kratos the ability to change history and preserve his own life. Kratos travels to the Underworld and then, upon obeying Gaia’s instructions, finds the Sisters of Fate. Following additional carnage, Kratos reclaims the Loom of Fate and goes back to his death scene. Another Olympian steps in front of Kratos’s blade, foiling his plot to kill Zeus. This is where Kratos and the rest of us find out who his real parents are. Kratos enlists the Titans of the past in his next battle by using the power of the Loom.Returning to the present, God of War 3 is initiated when Kratos leads the Titans in an attack on Mount Olympus.
7. God of War 3 (2010)
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God of War 3, which picks up right after the events of the previous game, puts an end to Kratos’ Greek saga and settles his conflict with Zeus and the Olympians.
A disastrous conflict breaks out between Kratos and the Titans and the Olympians. After having his faith betrayed once more, Kratos enters the Underworld once more. There, Kratos joins forces with a former comrade to finally vanquish Zeus. Upon returning to Earth, Kratos encounters the fury of both Titans and Gods, launching him on a spectacular murderous rampage that culminates in a fight with Zeus.
With the world in ruins, Kratos vows to stop taking revenge and offers a sacrifice to give humanity hope.
8. God of War: A Call from the Wilds (2018)
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The Facebook Messenger text-adventure God of War: A Call from the Wids was made available prior to the 2018 film God of War. Atreus, the son of Kratos, is introduced in this about thirty-minute narrative, which also gives some history on his extrasensory powers and adds some color to his relationships with Kratos and his mother Faye. The story takes place when Faye is still alive, some time before God of War (2018).
Similar to God of War: Betrayal, A Call from the Wilds appears to be unplayable at this point, but it’s still a story that may be ignored in the end. For those interested in experiencing it, full playthroughs are available on YouTube.
9. God of War (2018)
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God of War, which takes place several years after God of War 3, follows Kratos as he travels from Greece to the Norse kingdom of Midgard, where he now resides with his son Atreus. In order to carry out Faye’s final request, Kratos and Atreus intend to scatter her ashes from the summit of the tallest mountain in the Nine Realms.
It’s not an easy trek; the two traverse several realms, meeting both allies and enemies from Norse mythology, such as Baldur, Freya, the sons of Thor, Magni and Modi, the only surviving giant Jörmungandr, and Mimir. Along the journey, Kratos battles parenthood and the secrets he refuses to reveal to Atreus regarding his background and Atreus’s true identity.
The Nine Realms embark on their journey after which they arrive in Fimbulwinter, a three-year period that precedes Ragnarök, the end of the world.
10. God of War Ragnarok (2022)
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The latest and most narratively dense God of War game, God of War: Ragnarok, takes place three years after God of War (2018) and takes place as the Nine Realms approach the end of Fimbulwinter and the start of Ragnarök.
Atreus, who explores his recently acquired identities and powers, receives more attention than Kratos, however many characters from 2018 are back, along with newcomers like the All-Father Odin and his son Thor. The story is still centered on the adventures of Kratos and Atreus. You will travel through all nine worlds as Kratos and Atreus on personal identification missions as well as a larger mission to fight the Asgards and survive Ragnarok.
While we won’t reveal the plot, Ragnarok offers the possibility of further God of War tales. But if you’ve already completed the game, you can play the God of War Ragnorok New Game Plus mode.
How to Play God of War Games Based on When They’re Released
- God of War (2005)
- God of War 2 (2007)
- God of War: Betrayal (2007)
- God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)
- God of War 3 (2010)
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)
- God of War: Ascension (2013)
- God of War: A Call from the Wilds (2018)
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarok (2022)
What Happens to God of War Next?
Although Sony has not officially revealed a new God of War game, we anticipate more in the God of War series given the positive reviews and strong sales of God of War (2018) and Ragnarok. Sony has revealed that Ragnarok will launch on the PC on September 19, 2024.
A number of future video game adaptations are in the works, including a God of War TV series. The live-action series is being developed for the streaming service Amazon Prime Video, and it will adapt the God of War story from 2018. Executive producer Cory Barlog, who directed the game, is joined by showrunner Rafe Judkins (The Wheel of Time).