PlayStation's God of War franchise has sprawled across two decades and nearly a dozen releases, leaving newcomers and lapsed players wondering where to dive in. The series began as a brutal action game on the PS2 and has evolved into one of gaming's most celebrated sagas, complete with Norse mythology, a shifting tone, and a father-son story that rivals cinema.
Sony has released 11 God of War games across home consoles, handhelds, mobile devices, and even Facebook Messenger, with a twelfth title, God of War Laufey, announced but not yet dated. For players wanting to experience the full arc, understanding the distinction between release order and chronological order is essential.
Where to Start as a New Player
Despite its 2018 release date, God of War (2018) serves as the ideal entry point for anyone picking up the series fresh. Available on PS4, PS5, and PC, this game successfully introduces Kratos and his son Atreus without requiring knowledge of the previous 10 games. The narrative shifts focus from Greek mythology to the Norse realms, and the aging Spartan has become a different man: more contemplative, more paternal, more human.
Those determined to experience Kratos's complete journey from the beginning will need patience. The actual chronological start is God of War Sons of Sparta, a 2026 PS5 exclusive that hasn't released yet. It will serve as a prequel, following a young Kratos and his brother Deimos through brutal Spartan training in a retro Metroidvania style.
The earliest playable game chronologically is God of War: Ascension (2013), which explores Kratos's early transformation into the God of War after a horrific betrayal by Ares leaves him traumatized. The story follows Kratos as he battles the Furies, three divine beings tasked with punishing oath-breakers, in an attempt to free himself from servitude.
Next in the timeline comes God of War: Chains of Olympus, a PSP title that takes place midway through Kratos's ten-year service to the gods. Sent to rescue Helios from the underworld, Kratos encounters Persephone and faces a choice that could reunite him with his dead daughter. The game explores the weight of divine promises and the cost of hope.
The 2005 original God of War follows roughly ten years later. Nearing the end of his servitude, Kratos receives his final task from Athena: defeat the god Ares and save Athens. The game becomes his ascension to becoming the God of War himself, though victory brings him no peace.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta arrives next, taking place between the first and second games. This PSP adventure sees Kratos seeking closure with his mortal mother and his long-lost brother Deimos, kidnapped by the gods to prevent a prophecy. The reunion proves bittersweet as Kratos grows only more enraged with Olympus.
God of War: Betrayal, a 2007 mobile sidescroller, fits into this timeline as well. In it, Kratos is framed for killing a giant while the gods attempt to contain his rampage. The game is officially canon but difficult to access today without emulation, making it skippable for most players.
God of War 2 shifts the conflict toward Zeus himself. Kratos's years of destruction have exhausted Olympus's patience, and Zeus descends to end him. With help from Gaia, the Titan mother, Kratos rewrites fate and recruits the Titans to march on Mount Olympus, setting up the final chapter of the Greek saga.
God of War 3 concludes Kratos's Greek mythology arc directly. The Titan invasion of Mount Olympus erupts into catastrophic warfare. Kratos descends into the underworld one final time, teams with an old ally, and faces Zeus in a showdown that ends with him sacrificing himself to release hope to humanity. The world lies in ruin.
A brief Facebook Messenger text adventure called God of War: A Call from the Wilds introduces Atreus and provides backstory on his mother Faye before the 2018 game. It's a minor entry that's no longer readily available but can be found through YouTube playthroughs.
God of War (2018) jumps many years forward, transporting Kratos to the Norse Nine Realms. Now a father to Atreus, Kratos and his son travel to spread Faye's ashes from the highest peak, an objective that becomes entangled with prophecy, identity, and the approach of Ragnarok. The game emphasizes character development and narrative depth while modernizing the combat system.
God of War Ragnarok, released in 2022, takes place three years later as Ragnarok itself begins. The game balances Kratos's story with Atreus's coming-of-age, introducing Odin and Thor while maintaining focus on the relationship between father and son against an apocalyptic backdrop.
For players short on time or patience, the two most recent games tell a complete, self-contained story that stands apart from the Greek mythology saga. Starting with 2018's God of War and finishing with Ragnarok provides a satisfying narrative arc without requiring a decade of homework.
Author Emily Chen: "The franchise has done something remarkable: it evolved without abandoning its roots, and it proved an aging action hero with a kid could carry a story just as powerfully as a younger avenger of old."
Comments