Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteFor a first playthrough, start with God of War (2005), then play God of War II, God of War III, God of War (2018), and God of War Ragnarök. This release-oriented route preserves the order in which the main story’s reveals reached players. Add the Greek-era prequels if you want more of Kratos’ past, and play Valhalla after Ragnarök as an optional epilogue. The chronological order is a separate option—not a prerequisite for understanding the main arc.
Which God of War game should a beginner play first?
Choose God of War (2005) if you want to follow Kratos from the start of his Greek story and then experience the shift to Norse mythology in release order. The series also has a second game titled God of War: the 2018 PS4/PC release. Including the year avoids a common mix-up.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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God of War Ragnarök - PlayStation 4 | $28.89 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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God of War | $23.68 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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God of War: Saga - Dual Pack | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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God Of War | $19.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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God of War Hits - PlayStation 4 | $18.95 | Buy on Amazon |
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If the Norse setting is what interests you, starting with God of War (2018) is also a reasonable entry point. It begins the Norse saga, not the franchise’s release history. The 2018 game and Ragnarök center on Kratos’ relationship with his son, Atreus. PlayStation Creative Director Cory Barlog described Atreus as “the humanity that Kratos lost” and a reminder that “there is a different way.” PlayStation’s series page presents the official game and platform information.
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Recommended order for a first playthrough
- God of War (2005)
- God of War II (2007)
- God of War III (2010)
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarök (2022)
- God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (2023; optional epilogue)
This is a practical route through the central story, not a claim that every title is a numbered mainline sequel. Valhalla takes place after Ragnarök. PlayStation describes it as a digital add-on: it is free DLC for PS4 and PS5 owners of Ragnarök, and is included with the PC purchase of the game. Check the store listing for current availability in your region.
#1 Best Overall
- Feel your journey through the Norse realms, made possible by immersive haptic feedback and adaptive trigger functionality.
- Take advantage of multidirectional 3D Audio; hear enemies approaching from any direction. (3D audio with stereo headphones (analog or USB))
- Bask in the beautiful worlds you travel through, brought to life by precise art direction and arresting attention to detail.
- Switch between full 4K resolution at a targeted 30 frames per second, or dynamic resolution upscaled to 4K at a targeted 60fps. (4K resolution requires a compatible 4K TV or display)
Release order for the expanded story
For more of the Greek-era story, add the prequels and side entries in their original release sequence. This route gives you the main games and the released Greek entries without treating every title as essential homework.
- God of War (2005)
- God of War II (2007)
- God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)
- God of War III (2010)
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)
- God of War: Ascension (2013)
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarök (2022)
- God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (2023; optional DLC)
The earlier Greek games span several generations of PlayStation hardware. Their original releases were on PS2, PSP, and PS3, so do not assume every original version is natively playable on a current console. Check the platform and edition available where you live before planning a full-series run. PlayStation lists the modern Norse games for PlayStation and PC; its PC listings name Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Rank #2
Chronological order of the released story games
If you prefer Kratos’ events in in-world order, the released story chronology is:
- God of War Sons of Sparta (2026)
- God of War: Ascension (2013)
- God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)
- God of War (2005)
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)
- God of War II (2007)
- God of War III (2010)
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarök (2022)
- God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (2023 DLC)
This is an editorial arrangement by story placement, not release date. PlayStation confirms that Sons of Sparta is a prequel and that Valhalla follows Ragnarök; the ordering of the Greek-era entries follows a chronology guide current through September 22, 2026. You do not need to begin with Sons of Sparta to understand the broader series.
Rank #3
- Includes
- God of War collections 1 and 2
- God of War 3
- God of War Collection (Chain of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta)
What changed between the Greek and Norse games?
The earlier entries draw on Greek mythology, while God of War (2018) and Ragnarök move Kratos into a Norse setting. The newer games put his relationship with Atreus at the heart of the story. That shift is one reason the 2018 title works as a new starting point for players chiefly interested in the Norse saga, even though it is not first in the overall timeline.
Recent releases and what is not playable yet
God of War Sons of Sparta released for PS5 on February 12, 2026, and PlayStation describes it as a prequel to the series. That makes it the earliest released story game in the chronology above, but not the recommended first game for most newcomers.
Rank #4
- Physical combat over the shoulder free camera brings the action closer than ever combat in God of war is up close frenetic and unflinching. Kratos' Axes powerful, magic and multi faceted is a brutal weapon as well as a versatile tool for exploration
- Midgard and beyond: Set within the untamed forests, mountains, and realms of Norse lore, God of war features a distinctly new setting with its own pantheon of creatures, monsters, and gods
- Vicious, physical combat with an over the shoulder free camera that brings the player closer to the action than ever before
As of October 4, 2026, PlayStation lists God of War Laufey for PS5 with a February 16, 2027 release date. It is upcoming, so it does not belong in a playable order yet. PlayStation’s page uses a count of 10 main entries that includes Laufey; that is not a count of games already available to play. This guide covers released story games and labels Valhalla separately as DLC.
Do you need to play every game?
No. For a manageable introduction, play the 2005 original and the two Greek numbered sequels, then continue with the 2018 game and Ragnarök. Choose the expanded release route if you want additional Greek-era context, or chronology if following events in-world matters more to you than preserving release order. Optional mobile or social entries and comics are outside these beginner routes.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Physical combat over the shoulder free camera brings the action closer than ever combat in God of war is up close frenetic and unflinching. Kratos' Axes powerful, magic and multi faceted is a brutal weapon as well as a versatile tool for exploration
- Midgard and beyond: Set within the untamed forests, mountains, and realms of Norse lore, God of war features a distinctly new setting with its own pantheon of creatures, monsters, and gods
- Vicious, physical combat with an over the shoulder free camera that brings the player closer to the action than ever before
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