God of War's Norse-set masterpieces have solidified its status as one of PlayStation's most iconic franchises. Originating during the PS2 era, the God of War series has become synonymous with exceptional action gameplay, a compelling narrative of divine vengeance, and the unforgettable protagonist, Kratos. Over the past 20 years, the franchise has evolved into a seminal action-adventure series, seamlessly blending refined action with deeper lore and a more poignant narrative, centered around an older, more empathetic Kratos.
With God of War Ragnarok earning its place among the greatest games ever, we've crafted this comprehensive timeline for fans looking to experience (or re-experience) the series from its inception.
Jump to:
- How to play chronologically
- How to play by release date
- How Many God of War Games Are There?
Sony has released 10 God of War games in the series — six on home consoles, two on portable consoles, one on mobile, and one text-adventure on Facebook Messenger.
God of War: The Complete Playlist
Here's every single God of War release since the dawn of the gods. See All!
God of War [2005]Santa Monica Studio
God of War IISanta Monica Studio
God of War: BetrayalSony Online Entertainment
God of War: Chains of OlympusReady At Dawn Studios
God of War CollectionBluepoint Games
God of War IIISanta Monica Studio
God of War: Ghost of SpartaReady At Dawn Studios
God of War OriginsReady At Dawn Studios
God of War SagaSCE Studios Santa Monica
God of War: AscensionSanta Monica Studio
We're excluding its second mobile release, God of War: Mimir’s Vision, as this AR game doesn’t contribute to the ongoing narrative but instead provides background lore from the world of God of War. We're also excluding PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale in this chronology, despite its comical inclusion in the God of War canon.
There are several God of War stories told through novels and comics as well, though this list only includes games.
Which God of War Game Should You Play First?
Although technically the first game in the series chronologically was God of War: Ascension, realistically, you'll probably want to start with God of War (2018). Not only is it available on both PS4 and PS5, but you can also play it on PC. It's an excellent entry point for anyone new to the series.
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God of War Games in Chronological Order
These blurbs contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats.
God of War: Ascension (2013)
Ascension, the seventh God of War game by release date but the first chronologically, delves into the early days of Kratos's transformation from a Spartan demigod into the God of War.
Ascension is set months after Kratos was tricked into killing his wife and daughter by the Greek God of War Ares (more on this in the original God of War section below). Traumatized by the killings, Kratos refuses to honor his oath to Ares, sparking the events of Ascension. Ares seeks revenge through the game's antagonistic Furies, three beings tasked with punishing betrayal, whom Kratos must defeat to free himself from his oath. The story concludes with Kratos leaving his Spartan home, still haunted by his grief.
Available on: PS3 | IGN’s God of War: Ascension Review
God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)
Kratos’s next adventure unfolds in the PSP game, God of War: Chains of Olympus. Set halfway through Kratos’s ten-year servitude to the gods (five years before God of War), this servitude promises to relieve him from the tormenting visions of his past.
The main storyline involves Kratos rescuing Helios, the Titan God of the Sun, from the underworld at Athena's request. There, he encounters the game’s primary antagonist, Persephone, Queen of the Underworld. Persephone offers Kratos a chance to reunite with his daughter, and Kratos grapples with the apocalyptic consequences of this reunion and his promise to return Helios to the gods.
Available on: PS3 (Origins Collection), PSP | IGN’s God of War: Chains of Olympus Review
God of War (2005)
Set roughly 10 years after Ascension, the first God of War game opens with Kratos succumbing to his grief and jumping off a cliff into the Aegean Sea. Before he hits the water, we flash back three weeks to uncover what drove the Spartan to the edge.
Nearing the end of his servitude to the gods, Kratos is tasked by Athena to defeat Ares and save Athens from his siege. With the promise of forgiveness for his past atrocities as his reward, Kratos embarks on a quest to obtain Pandora’s Box and kill Ares. His journey takes him to hell and back, culminating in a confrontation with Ares. Despite his victory, Kratos remains haunted by his past, leading him to jump off the bluff as seen in the game’s opening. Athena rescues him from the water and offers him a throne on Olympus, marking his complete transformation into the God of War.
Throughout the game, a narrator provides crucial backstory about Kratos’s life through cut scenes. Kratos once served as a revered captain in the Spartan army. On the brink of death and defeat against a massive barbarian force, he offered himself to Ares in exchange for victory. Ares answered, defeated the barbarians, and claimed Kratos as his servant, fusing his arms with the Blades of Chaos.
Available on: PS3 (God of War Collection), PS2 | IGN’s God of War Review
God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)
Ghost of Sparta, the series’ second PSP game, takes place between God of War and God of War 2. The subtitle references the nickname given to Kratos due to his pale-white appearance, a result of an oracle’s curse that bound the ashes of his wife and child to his skin.
Ghost of Sparta provides closure to two familial narrative threads: Kratos travels to Atlantis where he encounters his mortal mother and his long-lost brother Deimos, who was kidnapped by the gods during childhood to prevent the fulfillment of Olympus’s prophesized demise.
The climax sees Kratos and his brother reunited, battling the Greek God of Death, Thanatos. Despite their victory, it’s another sorrowful ending for Kratos. By the time the credits roll, Kratos has grown even more weary and furious with the Olympians.
Available on: PS3 (Origins Collection), PSP | IGN’s God of War: Ghost of Sparta Review
God of War: Betrayal (2007)
This mobile 2D sidescroller is officially part of the God of War canon, according to Sony Santa Monica animation director Bruno Velazquez. The gods, displeased with Kratos’s bloodlust, attempt to stop his latest conquest with Argos, a many-eyed giant that serves Hera, Queen of the Gods. Kratos is framed for the killing of Argos by an unidentified assassin in an attempt to further fracture his relationship with Olympus. Later, Zeus sends a messenger to put an end to Kratos’s continued destruction. Kratos responds with violence, once again defying the gods. Betrayal leaves players with this message, setting up the events of God of War 2: “Soon, the fury of Zeus would rain down upon [Kratos].”
God of War: Betrayal was released in 2007, before the rise of smartphones, and isn’t available on modern mobile storefronts. It can be skipped without consequence, but those who want to play it will need to use a Java emulator.
Available on: N/A (previously available on mobile) | IGN’s God of War: Betrayal Review
God of War 2 (2007)
God of War 2 pits Kratos against Zeus, the King of Olympus. Kratos, already ostracized due to his yearslong rampage, rejects Athena’s plea for peace and continues wreaking havoc throughout Greece. This is the final straw for Olympus; Zeus descends to the battlefield and kills Kratos.
Kratos finds a new ally in Gaia, the mother of Titans and Earth. She provides Kratos with a way to rewrite the past and save his own life. After a trip to the Underworld, Kratos follows Gaia’s instructions, leading him to the Sisters of Fate. After more bloodshed, Kratos takes control of the Loom of Fate and returns to the scene of his death. Kratos’s plan to kill Zeus is thwarted when another Olympian steps in front of his blade. It’s here that we (and Kratos) learn about his true parentage. Kratos uses the power of the Loom to recruit the Titans of the past to his future war. Back in the present, Kratos leads the Titans in an assault on Mount Olympus, setting up God of War 3.
Available on: PS3 (God of War Collection), PS2 | IGN’s God of War 2 Review
God of War 3 (2010)
Taking place directly after the previous game, God of War 3 concludes Kratos’ Greek saga and resolves his war with Zeus and the Olympians.
Kratos and the Titans battle the Olympians with catastrophic effects. Kratos (once again) has his trust betrayed and (once again) descends into the Underworld. There, Kratos teams up with an old ally to take down Zeus once and for all. Back on Earth, Kratos faces the wrath of Titans and Gods alike, leading him on an epic killing spree toward a final showdown with Zeus.
Kratos declares an end to his vengeance, and with the world in ruin, makes a sacrifice to release hope to mankind.
Available on: PS4 (Remastered), PS3 | IGN’s God of War 3 Review
God of War: A Call from the Wilds (2018)
God of War: A Call from the Wilds is a Facebook Messenger text-adventure released ahead of 2018’s God of War. The ~30-minute story introduces Kratos's son Atreus and provides background on the character's extrasensory abilities, while adding flavor to his relationships with Kratos and his mother, Faye. The story is set sometime before God of War 2018 when Faye is still alive.
A Call from the Wilds is no longer playable, but like God of War: Betrayal, this story can ultimately be skipped. Those interested can find complete playthroughs on YouTube.
Available on: N/A (previously available on Facebook Messenger)
God of War (2018)
Set many years after God of War 3, 2018’s God of War transports Kratos from Greece to the Norse realm of Midgard, where he now resides with his son, Atreus. Kratos and Atreus plan to fulfill Faye’s dying wish: to have her ashes spread from the top of the highest peak in the Nine Realms.
Their journey is far from straightforward; the duo travel through multiple realms, encountering friends and foes from Norse mythology, including Baldur, Freya, Thor’s sons Magni and Modi, the last living giant Jörmungandr, and Mimir. Along the way, Kratos grapples with fatherhood and the truths he keeps hidden from Atreus — about his past and Atreus’s identity.
Following their adventure, the Nine Realms enter Fimbulwinter, a three-year-long precursor to Ragnarök, the end of the world.
Available on: PS5, PS4 | IGN’s God of War 2018 Review
God of War Ragnarok (2022)
Given the recent release of Ragnarok, this plot synopsis is intentionally vague to avoid spoilers.
God of War: Ragnarok, the most recent and story-rich installment in the God of War series, is set three years after 2018’s God of War, as the Nine Realms near the end of Fimbulwinter and the beginning of Ragnarök.
Many characters return from 2018, alongside newcomers such as the All-Father Odin and his son Thor, but the focus remains on the adventures of Kratos and Atreus, with a greater emphasis on the latter, who explores his newly discovered identities and powers. As Kratos and Atreus, you’ll traverse all nine realms and the Realm Between Realms on personal quests of identity and a greater quest to defeat the Asgards and survive Ragnarok.
We won’t spoil the journey, but Ragnarok leaves the door open for future God of War stories. Though you can play the God of War Ragnarok New Game Plus mode if you've already finished the game.
Available on: PS5, PS4 | IGN’s God of War Ragnarok Review
How to Play the God of War Games By Release Date
- God of War (2005)
- God of War 2 (2007)
- God of War: Betrayal (2007)
- God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)
- God of War 3 (2010)
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)
- God of War: Ascension (2013)
- God of War: A Call from the Wilds (2018)
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarok (2022)
What’s Next for God of War?
Sony has yet to announce another God of War game, though given the critical and commercial success of God of War (2018) and Ragnarok, future entries in the series are anticipated. The most recent development is God of War: Ragnarok arriving on PC, and we've compiled a guide to everything you need to know about the PC port.
A God of War TV series is also in the works, joining a host of upcoming video game adaptations. The live-action show, in development for Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service, will adapt the story of 2018’s God of War. Production hit a snag in 2024 following the departure of showrunner Rafe Judkins and executive producers Hawk Ostby and Mark Fergus.
Looking for more in-order guides like this? Take a look at these other chronological adventures:
- Assassin's Creed Games in Order
- Halo Games in Order
- Batman Arkham Games in Order
- Resident Evil Games in Order
- Pokemon Games in Order
