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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For a first playthrough, use release order: God of War (2005) → God of War II → God of War: Chains of Olympus → God of War III → God of War: Ghost of Sparta → God of War: Ascension → God of War (2018) → God of War Ragnarök. Play Ragnarök: Valhalla afterward as optional downloadable content. This is editorial guidance rather than an official rule, but it preserves the order in which the series introduced its story and eras.
Release order: the best route for most players
Release order is the clearest way to experience the franchise for the first time. It follows the sequence in which the Greek-era games were published, then moves into the Norse-era entries. That means major changes in setting, presentation and storytelling arrive in the same progression experienced by the original audience.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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God of War Ragnarök - PlayStation 5 | $37.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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God of War Ragnarök | $31.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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God of War Ragnarök Launch Edition - PlayStation 5 | $27.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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God of War Ragnarök (PS5) | $37.02 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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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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The table uses the years and original-platform labels listed by PlayStation. For the two newer games, it also identifies the PC storefronts that PlayStation explicitly confirms.
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| # | Game | First listed release | Original or confirmed platforms | How it fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | God of War | 2005 | PlayStation 2 | Beginning of the principal release-order route |
| 2 | God of War II | 2007 | PlayStation 2 | Second main Greek-era release |
| 3 | God of War: Chains of Olympus | 2008 | PlayStation Portable | Portable prequel entry released between the first two console sequels |
| 4 | God of War III | 2010 | PlayStation 3 | Greek-era console continuation |
| 5 | God of War: Ghost of Sparta | 2010 | PlayStation Portable | Portable release that follows God of War in the character timeline |
| 6 | God of War: Ascension | 2013 | PlayStation 3 | Prequel released after the other Greek-era titles in this route |
| 7 | God of War | 2018 | PlayStation 4; PC via Steam and Epic Games Store | Beginning of the Norse-era release sequence |
| 8 | God of War Ragnarök | 2022 | PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4; PC via Steam and Epic Games Store | Sequel to the 2018 game |
| Optional | God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla | Post-Ragnarök DLC | PS4 and PS5 through PlayStation Store; included with the PC game purchase | Play after the Ragnarök campaign |
The years in the table are release years, not necessarily exact launch dates. The older entries were originally released for PS2, PSP or PS3, and a listing of those original systems does not prove that a particular game is currently backward-compatible, streamable or sold in every 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)
1. God of War (2005)
Start with the game that introduced the series on PlayStation 2. It establishes the Greek-era foundation and gives the later entries the context they assume. If you are playing on current hardware, do not infer availability from the original PS2 listing alone; verify the catalog, remaster, streaming option or other legitimate access method offered in your country.
2. God of War II
The 2007 PS2 sequel is next in release order. Keeping it here lets you see how the series developed immediately after its debut rather than jumping to a later prequel whose story was published years afterward.
3. God of War: Chains of Olympus
This 2008 PSP game is a pre-God of War (2005) story, according to PlayStation Blog material. It appears third in the recommended route because release order prioritizes the order in which players originally received the games, not strict character chronology.
4. God of War III
The 2010 PS3 release continues the Greek-era sequence. Playing it before the other 2010 portable entry follows the franchise’s listed release progression: God of War III is listed before Ghost of Sparta.
Rank #2
5. God of War: Ghost of Sparta
Also released in 2010 for PSP, Ghost of Sparta has an important chronological distinction: official PlayStation material describes it as beginning after God of War (2005). Its placement in release order still comes after God of War III, because that is how the games were published.
6. God of War: Ascension
Ascension launched for PS3 in 2013. An official interview calls it a prequel and places it in an earlier period of Kratos’s life, but the game was released after the other Greek-era titles listed above. For a first run, leave it in its 2013 position so the prequel material arrives after the original arc has been introduced.
7. God of War (2018)
The 2018 entry moves the release-order route into the Norse era. PlayStation confirms it for PS4 and for PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. On PC, this is the first principal game in the sequence with an explicitly confirmed native storefront release in the supplied platform information.
8. God of War Ragnarök
Released in 2022, Ragnarök is listed for both PS5 and PS4 and is also confirmed for Steam and the Epic Games Store. Play it after the 2018 game; starting here would skip the entry that establishes the Norse-era status quo.
Rank #3
- Launch Edition includes in-game downloadable content Kratos Risen Snow Armor & Atreus Risen Snow Tunic (Cosmetic)
- 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)
Optional: God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla
Valhalla is downloadable content rather than a separate numbered mainline game. PlayStation describes it as taking place after the events of Ragnarök. It is free DLC for owners of the PS4 or PS5 game through PlayStation Store, and it is included with the PC game purchase. Treat it as a post-game follow-up, not as an additional step between the numbered releases.
Chronological order: what is established and what is not
Chronological order is more complicated than release order because several Greek-era games are prequels. The official material available for this guide establishes three relationships:
- God of War: Ascension is a prequel set in an earlier period of Kratos’s life.
- God of War: Chains of Olympus takes place before God of War (2005).
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta begins after God of War (2005).
That evidence does not establish whether Ascension comes before or after Chains of Olympus. It also does not provide a complete, authoritative chronology for every game and spin-off. Presenting a single exact timeline for all entries would therefore imply more certainty than the available official descriptions support.
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If you care more about character chronology than publication history, begin with Ascension and Chains of Olympus in either order. Both are established as pre-God of War (2005) stories, but their order relative to each other is not fixed here. Continue to God of War (2005), then play Ghost of Sparta, whose opening is explicitly described as occurring after that game.
Rank #4
For the remaining Greek-era titles, use the release sequence unless you have a separately verified chronology for the specific edition or spin-off you intend to play. This hybrid approach avoids inventing an order for the two unresolved prequels while still respecting the one post-2005 relationship that is documented.
Where the newer prequel belongs
God of War Sons of Sparta is a newer side-scrolling action platformer and prequel. PlayStation lists its PS5 release as February 12, 2026 and describes it as the earliest point in the franchise timeline. Because it was released long after the classic Greek-era games, treat it as an optional newer prequel rather than silently inserting it into the original release-order list.
Which God of War games are on PC?
PlayStation explicitly confirms only two entries from this sequence for PC: God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök. Both are identified through Steam and the Epic Games Store. This does not establish native PC releases for the PS2, PSP or PS3 games.
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| PC question | What is confirmed | What you should verify |
|---|---|---|
| Can I buy God of War (2018) on PC? | Yes. PlayStation identifies Steam and the Epic Games Store. | Store region, edition, system requirements and current price. |
| Can I buy God of War Ragnarök on PC? | Yes. PlayStation identifies Steam and the Epic Games Store. | Store region, edition, system requirements and whether the purchase includes the content you want. |
| Are the older Greek-era games confirmed for native PC release? | No native PC release is established by the platform information used here. | Do not assume that a PS2, PSP or PS3 listing means a PC port, emulator package, stream or current storefront version exists. |
A practical PC route
- Play the older Greek-era games only through a legitimate version that is available for your region and hardware. Their original platform labels are PS2, PSP and PS3; check current catalog and compatibility information before buying or subscribing.
- Install God of War (2018) from Steam or the Epic Games Store once you reach the Norse-era portion of the route.
- Finish the 2018 game before starting Ragnarök so the sequel is not your first exposure to that era.
- Launch Valhalla after the Ragnarök campaign. On PC, the DLC is included with the game purchase according to PlayStation’s listing.
A PC-only playthrough therefore cannot be assumed to cover the complete release-order sequence through officially confirmed native PC editions. If the Greek-era games are unavailable on your setup, begin with the 2018 release and understand that you are starting at the Norse-era transition rather than at the franchise’s beginning.
Best Value
- 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.
Playing on PlayStation
PlayStation’s series listing identifies the original systems for the older releases and the current systems for the Norse-era games. God of War (2018) is listed for PS4. God of War Ragnarök is listed for both PS5 and PS4. The earlier entries are identified as PS2, PSP and PS3 releases.
Those labels answer where a game originally appeared, not whether it is available today on your specific console. Backward compatibility, streaming, remasters, digital storefront catalogs and regional licensing can differ. Before planning a full marathon, check the PlayStation Store or the relevant official catalog for your country and console generation.
If you own a PS4
The listed PS4 entries are God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök. The latter’s Valhalla DLC is also described as free for owners of the PS4 or PS5 game through PlayStation Store. Access to the earlier Greek-era titles requires confirming how, or whether, each one is offered on the PS4 ecosystem in your region.
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If you own a PS5
The listed PS5 entries are God of War Ragnarök and the newer God of War Sons of Sparta. The 2018 game is listed as a PS4 release, so verify the edition or compatibility option available to you before assuming a PS5-specific version. The original PS2, PSP and PS3 labels still do not by themselves guarantee current PS5 access.
Where the upcoming and optional entries fit
God of War Sons of Sparta
PlayStation lists Sons of Sparta as released for PS5 on February 12, 2026. It is described as a side-scrolling action platformer and a prequel, and the franchise coverage places it at the earliest point in the timeline. It is best treated as an optional prequel for readers who want the newest addition after completing the principal release-order route, or as the opening game for a chronology experiment.
God of War Laufey
The same official series page lists God of War Laufey as an upcoming PS5 release dated February 16, 2027. On October 13, 2026, that date is still in the future, so it should not be counted as a playable entry in a current order guide. Recheck the release date and availability when you are ready to play; an announced date can change.
Which order should you choose?
| Your situation | Recommended route | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| First time with the franchise | Release order, beginning with God of War (2005) | Preserves the series’ introduction and presentation changes. |
| You want the documented character chronology | Ascension and Chains of Olympus first in either order, then God of War (2005), then Ghost of Sparta; use release order for unresolved portions. | Uses only the relationships established by official descriptions. |
| You have only a PC | Play the confirmed PC releases: God of War (2018), then Ragnarök, followed by Valhalla. | These are the two entries explicitly confirmed for Steam and Epic Games Store. |
| You have PS4 or PS5 and want the newest games | God of War (2018) → Ragnarök → Valhalla | Matches the listed Norse-era sequence and post-Ragnarök DLC placement. |
| You want every available prequel | Complete the release-order route, then add Sons of Sparta as an optional newer prequel. | Keeps the established route intact while including the 2026 addition. |
Common order and access mistakes
- Starting with Ragnarök: It is a sequel to the 2018 game, so use the earlier Norse-era entry first when possible.
- Calling chronological order official: The confirmed descriptions establish several relationships but do not settle every prequel’s position.
- Putting Valhalla between numbered games: It is post-Ragnarök DLC, not a separate mainline chapter.
- Assuming every PlayStation game has a PC port: The confirmed PC list covers the 2018 game and Ragnarök, not the older PS2, PSP and PS3 releases.
- Assuming an original-platform label guarantees current access: Check your country, console generation and current catalog before purchasing.
- Treating an announced game as available: Laufey is listed for February 16, 2027, so verify its status after that date.
For most readers, the answer remains straightforward: follow the eight principal releases from 2005 through 2022, add Valhalla after Ragnarök, and use the chronology notes only if you specifically want to rearrange the prequels.
Quick Recap
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