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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →If you want to understand the current God of War story—and be ready for the announced next chapter—play God of War (2018), then God of War Ragnarök. Ragnarök: Valhalla is a free, optional epilogue-style DLC for after Ragnarök. You do not need to work through every older Greek-era game first. As of October 13, 2026, PlayStation’s US listing identifies God of War Sons of Sparta as the latest released title and God of War Laufey as the next upcoming chapter, currently dated February 16, 2027.
When is the next God of War game coming out?
PlayStation’s current US God of War overview lists God of War Laufey for PS5 with a release date of February 16, 2027. The announcement describes it as the next chapter of the saga and says Faye—also known as Laufey—will be a playable protagonist for the first time in the franchise. The story follows her after her death. These are announced details, and the date or platforms could change; the current listing does not establish final technical requirements, editions, or availability in every region. Check PlayStation’s US series overview for the latest listing.
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There is a useful distinction in the word “next.” God of War Sons of Sparta, a side-scrolling prequel about a young Kratos, was released February 12, 2026, and is the latest released title shown on the same US overview. Laufey is the next upcoming chapter listed there. So, if you mean the newest game you can play, that is Sons of Sparta; if you mean the next announced chapter in the saga, that is Laufey.
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- 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)
What order should I play God of War in?
For the Norse story, use this order:
- God of War (2018): Begins the modern Norse arc, following Kratos and his son Atreus.
- God of War Ragnarök (2022): The direct follow-up, continuing their story. It was released on November 9, 2022.
- God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (optional): Play after finishing Ragnarök. This free DLC gives Kratos a reflective, roguelite-inspired journey set after the game’s events.
This is a practical recommendation based on the games’ official descriptions, not a publisher-mandated order. Valhalla is additional post-game content, not a substitute for Ragnarök or a prerequisite for the announced Laufey. PlayStation says it is available to PS4 and PS5 owners through the PlayStation Store and included with the PC purchase of Ragnarök. Store terms and availability can vary by region, so check your local listing.
The earlier games tell the Greek-era history of Kratos, but they are not essential preparation for understanding the central father-and-son story in the 2018 game and Ragnarök. The official pages establish the Norse games’ continuity; they do not say that any particular older title is required before Laufey. Treat the two-game order as a way to understand the modern arc, not as a guarantee about every detail of the upcoming game.
If by “order” you mean every franchise release rather than the story you need for the Norse arc, the answer is broader: the catalog includes Greek-era main entries, portable titles, later Norse games, DLC, and newer spin-offs. A complete chronology is not necessary to prepare for the 2018-to-Ragnarök story, and there is no single prerequisite list in the cited official material. Start with the two modern games unless exploring the older history is itself part of what you want.
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Do I need to play God of War (2018) before Ragnarök?
It is strongly preferable if you care about the story. Ragnarök follows the relationship and events established in the 2018 game, so beginning with the sequel means meeting Kratos and Atreus after their bond, conflicts, and journey have already developed. Starting with Ragnarök is still possible if you only want to play the newer title, but you will miss the context that gives the sequel’s choices their weight.
If you have limited time, the 2018 game’s main story is the most efficient preparation. PlayStation estimates about 20–25 hours for its main story, and around 40–50 hours for a completionist run. These are publisher estimates, not guarantees; your pace and how much optional content you pursue will affect the total. The PlayStation FAQ does not state a publication year for these estimates. See PlayStation’s God of War FAQ.
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You also do not have to turn preparation into a completionist checklist. The estimate for a completionist run is roughly twice the main-story estimate, so finishing the main story is a reasonable route if your priority is reaching Ragnarök with the central setup in place. The figures are a planning aid, not a promise about how long your particular playthrough will take.
How long do the Norse games take?
Use PlayStation’s numbers as planning ranges rather than deadlines. The publisher estimates up to 40 hours for Ragnarök’s main story and selected side quests, and 55–60 hours to see everything. The FAQ does not define exactly what “everything” includes, and individual playtimes vary. A player focused on the main plot can finish sooner than someone exploring optional areas and activities.
| Game or content | PlayStation estimate | What the estimate covers |
|---|---|---|
| God of War (2018) | About 20–25 hours | Main story |
| God of War (2018) | About 40–50 hours | Completionist run |
| God of War Ragnarök | Up to 40 hours | Main story and selected side quests |
| God of War Ragnarök | 55–60 hours | Seeing everything, as described in the FAQ |
Both games also offer New Game+. PlayStation describes it as a way to replay the story with additional gameplay options available from the start. The official Ragnarök page lists new progression paths, an expanded Niflheim Arena, enemy adjustments, and a black-and-white render mode for New Game+. That mode is for a replay, not a separate story chapter you need to complete before moving on.
In PlayStation’s wording, once you finish the game you can start a New Game+ save to experience the story again with more gameplay options available from the beginning. That makes it a replay option for people who want another run, rather than part of the recommended first-time sequence. It is not included in the playtime ranges as a separate required step.
How do the Greek-era games fit in?
The franchise began with God of War on PS2 in 2005. Its earlier history follows Kratos through Greek mythology and includes main entries and portable games such as God of War II, Chains of Olympus, God of War III, Ghost of Sparta, and Ascension. The 2018 game shifts the setting to Norse mythology and introduces Atreus as a central character; Ragnarök continues their journey.
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- 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.
You can think of the older games as background rather than homework. They explain Kratos’s past and the Greek-era version of the character, which can add meaning to his different life in the Norse games. But a newcomer can follow the modern arc without having played every earlier installment. If you are especially interested in Kratos’s history, explore the Greek games separately and check the availability and compatibility of each title for your region and device.
Sons of Sparta also returns to the Greek roots, but in a different format: it is a side-scrolling prequel about young Kratos, rather than another installment in the Norse father-and-son story. Laufey, by contrast, shifts the protagonist focus to Faye. PlayStation has not established that either the Greek-era catalog or Sons of Sparta is mandatory preparation for that upcoming story.
The useful comparison is therefore about continuity, protagonist, format, and platform—not a simple ranking of which titles count. The 2018 game and Ragnarök form the recommended Norse action-adventure arc, with Kratos and Atreus at its center. Valhalla is downloadable post-game content focused on Kratos. Sons of Sparta is a Greek-rooted side-scrolling prequel about young Kratos. The announced Laufey is the upcoming Faye-led chapter. Those differences help identify the right starting point for your interest without implying that every entry is required.
Which game should you choose based on what you want?
| Your goal | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Follow the current Norse story from its beginning | God of War (2018), then Ragnarök | The second game is the direct continuation of the first. |
| Continue after finishing Ragnarök | Valhalla | Optional free DLC set after the game, focused on Kratos. |
| Play the latest released title in the current US listing | Sons of Sparta | Released February 12, 2026; a Greek-rooted side-scrolling prequel about young Kratos. |
| Prepare for the next announced chapter | Start with the Norse arc: 2018, then Ragnarök | This gives context for the modern saga, without implying that older titles are required for Laufey. |
The table separates story continuity from release status: the latest released game is not necessarily the next chapter in the Norse arc. Choose based on whether you want chronological context for the modern story, an optional post-game experience, a Greek-era prequel, or preparation for an announced release.
There is no price comparison here because the official material used for this guide does not provide current prices or edition details. If you plan to buy, compare the current PS4, PS5, or PC listings in your region, and verify the edition before checkout. For a physical purchase tied directly to the recommended order, Ragnarök for PS4 or PS5 is a straightforward option; the 2018 game’s physical PS4 edition is another possible starting point. Check that the listing matches your console and current store terms.
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Where can you play the recommended games?
PlayStation’s US overview lists God of War (2018) and Ragnarök for PS4, PS5, and PC. For PC, it names Steam and the Epic Games Store. The exact edition, regional availability, and store terms should be checked on the relevant platform page before purchase. The older catalog spans PS2, PS3, and PSP, so do not assume every entry is currently available or compatible with your device.
For the upcoming Laufey, the current US listing gives PS5 as its platform. It does not establish final technical requirements or regional release details. Confirm those closer to release rather than relying on an announcement’s early platform information.
Valhalla has a different purchase arrangement from a standalone game: the official FAQ says it is free DLC for PS4 and PS5 owners through PlayStation Store and included with the PC purchase of Ragnarök. If you are on PC, check that the listing and purchase are for the game version applicable to you; if you are on console, check the local PlayStation Store page. Store availability and terms can vary by region. No official listing establishes a need for a special peripheral, subscription, or PC maintenance product to follow this play order.
What to know before starting
- You can start with the 2018 game. It is the beginning of the modern Norse arc; the older Greek-era games are optional context for this path.
- Play Ragnarök second. It continues the story of Kratos and Atreus and is the natural next step after the 2018 title.
- Save Valhalla for afterward. It is free post-game DLC, not a replacement for the sequel.
- Check which “next” you mean. The current US PlayStation listing shows Sons of Sparta as released and Laufey as upcoming.
- Recheck release and platform details. Laufey is currently listed for PS5 on February 16, 2027; announced information can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next God of War game coming out?
PlayStation’s current US listing dates God of War Laufey for PS5 to February 16, 2027. That is an announced date and may change; check the official listing again closer to release.
What is the latest released God of War game?
As of October 13, 2026, the current US PlayStation overview lists God of War Sons of Sparta, released February 12, 2026, as the latest released title. It is a side-scrolling Greek-rooted prequel about young Kratos. Laufey is the next upcoming chapter listed.
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Do I need to play the old Greek God of War games first?
No. The recommended preparation for the modern Norse story is God of War (2018) followed by God of War Ragnarök. The Greek-era games add background about Kratos, but the official material does not identify them as required preparation for the Norse arc or Laufey.
Is God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla free?
PlayStation says Valhalla is free DLC for PS4 and PS5 owners through PlayStation Store, and is included with the PC purchase of Ragnarök. Check your regional store for the current listing and terms.
How long does it take to play the two Norse games?
PlayStation estimates about 20–25 hours for the 2018 game’s main story and up to 40 hours for Ragnarök’s main story with selected side quests. More extensive playthrough estimates are about 40–50 hours for a completionist run of the first game and 55–60 hours to see everything in Ragnarök. These are estimates, not guarantees.
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The Bottom Line
For the modern Norse story, play God of War (2018) and then God of War Ragnarök; add the free Valhalla DLC afterward if you want more. You can skip the Greek-era games unless you want Kratos’s earlier history. As of October 13, 2026, Sons of Sparta is the latest released title in PlayStation’s US listing, while Laufey is the next announced chapter, currently dated February 16, 2027 for PS5.
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