In Which Order Should You Play God of War Games

Quick Links

• All God Of War Games In The Series

• Most Popular Orders To Play The God Of War Games

• Best Order To Play The God Of War Games

• Alternate Order To Play God Of War Games

Embarking on the epic journey of the God of War series can be both thrilling and daunting for newcomers. With a saga that spans the Greek and Norse mythologies, choosing where to start can feel like a Herculean task. Fans often debate the best approach, with some advocating for a deep dive into the Norse Saga right away, while others insist on experiencing the Greek Saga first. This guide is designed to help you navigate the series, ensuring you capture every epic moment of Kratos' saga.

All God Of War Games In The Series

The God of War series boasts ten games, but only eight are crucial for understanding Kratos' full story. You can skip God of War: Betrayal (2007), a mobile game with minimal impact on the overarching narrative, and God of War: A Call from the Wilds (2018), a text-based adventure on Facebook, without missing out on significant plot points. Here's the essential list:

1. God of War 1
2. God of War 2
3. God of War 3
4. God of War: Chains of Olympus
5. God of War: Ghost of Sparta
6. God of War: Ascension
7. God of War (2018)
8. God of War Ragnarok

Most Popular Orders To Play The God Of War Games

When approaching a long-running series like God of War, you have two primary paths: release order or chronological order. Given the series' prequels, which path you choose can significantly impact your experience.

Release Order

Opting for release order means playing the games as they were released, which is how many long-time fans experienced the series. However, keep in mind that some titles, like Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta, may not match the production quality of the main trilogy. This order showcases the evolution of gameplay and design over time.

The release order is:

1. God of War 1 (2005)
2. God of War 2 (2007)
3. God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)
4. God of War 3 (2010)
5. God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)
6. God of War: Ascension (2013)
7. God of War (2018)
8. God of War Ragnarok (2022)
9. God of War Ragnarök Valhalla Mode (2023)

Chronological Order

If the story is your main focus, chronological order is the way to go. Be prepared for some variation in graphics and gameplay quality as you move through the series. The first game in this order is often considered the weakest, so don't let it deter you from the rest of the series.

The chronological order is:

1. God of War: Ascension
2. God of War: Chains of Olympus
3. God of War 1
4. God of War: Ghost of Sparta
5. God of War 2
6. God of War 3
7. God of War (2018)
8. God of War Ragnarok
9. God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla (Free DLC)

Best Order To Play The God Of War Games

While opinions vary, the following order balances narrative and gameplay, ensuring a smooth and engaging experience for new players:

1. God of War 1
2. God of War: Chains of Olympus
3. God of War: Ghost of Sparta
4. God of War 2
5. God of War 3
6. God of War: Ascension
7. God of War (2018)
8. God of War Ragnarok
9. God of War Ragnarok Valhalla Mode

Begin with the original God of War, then delve into its prequels, Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta. Follow with God of War 2 and 3, which should be played back-to-back due to their continuous storyline. After completing the Greek Saga with Ascension, transition to the Norse Saga with God of War (2018), Ragnarok, and the Valhalla DLC.

If Ascension feels underwhelming, consider skipping it and catching up on its story via a YouTube recap. However, its action-packed sequences are worth experiencing if you can.

Alternate Order To Play God Of War Games

If the older games feel dated, there's an alternative approach: start with the Norse Saga before exploring the Greek Saga. While this might be controversial among fans, it offers a fresh perspective and can enhance the mystery of Kratos' past.

The alternate order is:

1. God of War (2018)
2. God of War Ragnarok
3. God of War Ragnarok Valhalla Mode
4. God of War: Ascension
5. God of War: Chains of Olympus
6. God of War 1
7. God of War: Ghost of Sparta
8. God of War 2
9. God of War 3