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Play God of War (2018) first, then God of War Ragnarök. Ragnarök is the sequel and final chapter of the Norse saga, so the 2018 game provides the intended story setup. You do not need to play every earlier, Greek-era God of War game to follow this pair.
Why play God of War (2018) before Ragnarök?
The two games form a continuous Norse story. Santa Monica Studio describes Ragnarök as “the sequel to God of War (2018) and the final chapter of the Norse saga” in its September 2024 PlayStation.Blog announcement. Starting with the 2018 game gives you the story lead-in before the sequel continues it.
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God of War Ragnarök - PlayStation 5 | $37.95 | Buy on Amazon |
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God of War Ragnarök | $31.95 | Buy on Amazon |
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God Of War Ragnarok | Launch Edition | PS5 Game (PlayStation 5) | Brand NEW | PS6 PS5 Upgrade Soon | $46.33 | Buy on Amazon |
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PlayStation God of War Ragnarök Kratos 10-Inch Collector Plush | $12.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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God of War Ragnarök (PS5) | $37.02 | Buy on Amazon |
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The recommended order is simply God of War (2018), then God of War Ragnarök. This is the order for the Norse pair, not a requirement to work through the franchise’s older games first.
Can you play Ragnarök without playing the 2018 game?
You can choose to start with Ragnarök if that is the game you have access to, but doing so means starting with a sequel rather than the beginning of this Norse story. Playing the 2018 entry first is the clearer choice if you want the intended narrative context. The available first-party information establishes that continuity; it does not establish that one game is objectively better or compare their difficulty, pacing, or combat.
#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)
How long does it take to play both games?
Sony’s franchise FAQ gives the following estimated playtimes. They are publisher estimates, not guaranteed durations; your time will vary with play style and how much optional content you pursue.
| Game | Publisher’s estimated time | What the estimate covers |
|---|---|---|
| God of War (2018) | 20–25 hours | Main story |
| God of War (2018) | 40–50 hours | Completionist run |
| God of War Ragnarök | Up to 40 hours | Main story and a selection of side quests |
| God of War Ragnarök | 55–60 hours | Seeing everything |
These figures come from PlayStation’s franchise page. If you plan to pursue completionist content in both, budget substantially more time than for the main stories alone.
Rank #2
Where can you play them?
PlayStation lists both games for PS4, PS5, and PC, with the PC editions available through Steam and the Epic Games Store. The original God of War released in 2018 as a PS4 game; Ragnarök released on November 9, 2022, for PS4 and PS5. Editions and availability can vary by region, so check the local store listing before buying.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRagnarök arrived on PC on September 19, 2024. Sony’s PC announcement describes features including unlocked frame rates, optional 4K on compatible hardware, upscaling support, and 21:9 and 32:9 display support. These are vendor-described features, not a guarantee of performance on any particular PC. The PC release also includes Valhalla and post-launch updates, according to Sony’s announcement.
Rank #3
- Those who break fate: Atreus seeks knowledge to help him understand the prophecy of "Loki" and what role he is to play in Ragnarök. Kratos must decide whether he will be chained by the fear of repeating his mistakes or break free of his past to be the father Atreus needs.
- Weapons of war : The Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos and Guardian Shield return alongside a host of new abilities for both Kratos and Atreus. As they take on gods and monsters from across the Nine Realms, Kratos's deadly Spartan skills will be tested like never before as he fights to protect his family.
- Explore the realms :Journey to dangerous and stunning landscapes and face a wide variety of enemy creatures, monsters and Norse gods as Kratos and Atreus search for answers and allies.
- Please note that this item is not for sale to people under the age of 18. By placing an order for this product, you declare that you are 18 years of age or older. This item must be used responsibly and appropriately.
When should you play Valhalla?
God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla is additional content to play after Ragnarök, not a replacement for the 2018 story. PlayStation says it is free for PS4 and PS5 owners and included with the PC game purchase. Check the relevant regional store and edition details for your platform.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- OFFICIAL PLAYSTATION PLUSH: From the hit PS5 games, Kratos is made in the image of the legendary God of War, now available in collector plush form
- PREMIUM 10-INCH PLUSHIE: Spartan Kratos comes crafted with embroidered details and soft, premium materials. Kratos’ infamous scarring and tattoos mirror his in-game counterpart
- DISTINCTIVE TEXTURES: With a textured beard, fluffy eyebrows and more, Kratos is ready to save the day. The lovable Ghost of Sparta is equipped with arm guards and other amazing details from the game.
- GIFTS FOR GAMERS: Our action figures & plush toys make the ideal birthday gifts, stocking stuffers, & gamer gifts for fans. Collect all your favorites from God of War & other franchises on the PS5 console
- TOYS & GAMES FOR ALL: Presented by Spin Master, the creators of kids toys for boys & toys for girls who love collectibles, toy figures & playsets. Ideal holiday gift, for all ages
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
