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For your first playthrough, start with God of War (2005), then play God of War II, God of War III, God of War (2018), and God of War Ragnarök. This release-oriented route follows the Greek story before the Norse saga and preserves the order audiences first encountered the games. Add Ragnarök: Valhalla afterward if you want its optional epilogue. You do not need to play every prequel to understand the central arc.
Which God of War game should a beginner play first?
Start with the 2005 God of War if you want to follow Kratos from the beginning of his Greek story. The 2018 God of War is a different game: it begins the Norse saga, not the series’ release history. To avoid confusion, this guide uses the year whenever it refers to either game.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
God of War Ragnarök - PlayStation 4 | $28.89 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
God of War | $23.45 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
God of War: Saga - Dual Pack | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
God Of War | $22.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
God of War Hits - PlayStation 4 | $19.50 | Buy on Amazon |
If you are mainly interested in the Norse story, you can start with God of War (2018) and continue with God of War Ragnarök. The earlier Greek games provide context for Kratos, but the Norse games shift setting and focus to his relationship with his son, Atreus.
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Recommended order for a first playthrough
- God of War (2005)
- God of War II (2007)
- God of War III (2010)
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarök (2022)
- God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (2023), optional post-game epilogue
This is a practical route through the main story, not a claim that every game is a numbered sequel. The first three games carry Kratos through the Greek arc; the 2018 game and Ragnarök move him into the Norse setting. PlayStation describes Valhalla as a digital add-on set after Ragnarök, so save it for last.
#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)
Release-oriented order with the Greek-era side stories
For more of Kratos’ Greek-era story, add the prequels and side entries to the route. This order keeps them in release sequence rather than moving backward and forward through the timeline:
- God of War (2005)
- God of War II (2007)
- God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)
- God of War III (2010)
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)
- God of War: Ascension (2013)
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarök (2022)
- God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (2023), optional DLC
The added Greek games broaden the story but are not prerequisites for following the main arc. If your priority is a manageable introduction, use the shorter route first.
Rank #2
Story chronology for released games
Chronological order follows the events in Kratos’ life rather than the order players got the games. It is a valid alternative, but it changes the sequence of reveals compared with release order. PlayStation identifies Sons of Sparta as a prequel to the series; the placement of the Greek and Norse entries below follows a secondary timeline guide current through September 22, 2026.
Recommended Free Tools
- God of War Sons of Sparta (2026)
- God of War: Ascension (2013)
- God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)
- God of War (2005)
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)
- God of War II (2007)
- God of War III (2010)
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarök (2022)
- God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (2023), DLC
Sons of Sparta released for PS5 on February 12, 2026. Its position at the start of this list does not make it the best starting point for a beginner: release order remains the easier way to experience the series’ progression and reveals.
Rank #3
- Includes
- God of War collections 1 and 2
- God of War 3
- God of War Collection (Chain of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta)
Do you need to play every God of War game?
No. The 2005 original, the Greek trilogy, and the two Norse games give you a substantial route through Kratos’ central story. The portable and other Greek-era entries add chapters, but they are optional for a newcomer. Valhalla is also optional; treat it as an epilogue after Ragnarök, not as a game to play before it.
Optional mobile or social games and comics are outside these game routes. They are not needed to follow the listed story games.
Rank #4
- Physical combat over the shoulder free camera brings the action closer than ever combat in God of war is up close frenetic and unflinching. Kratos' Axes powerful, magic and multi faceted is a brutal weapon as well as a versatile tool for exploration
- Midgard and beyond: Set within the untamed forests, mountains, and realms of Norse lore, God of war features a distinctly new setting with its own pantheon of creatures, monsters, and gods
- Vicious, physical combat with an over the shoulder free camera that brings the player closer to the action than ever before
Platforms and access to the older games
The games span several hardware generations, so the chronological or completionist route may take more effort to access than the modern Norse pair. PlayStation’s series page lists Sons of Sparta for PS5; Ragnarök for PS4 and PS5; God of War (2018) for PS4; Ascension and God of War III for PS3; Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta for PSP; and the 2005 original and God of War II for PS2. Those are the original platform listings; they do not establish that every older game is natively playable on a current console.
PlayStation also lists the 2018 game and Ragnarök for PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. Availability can vary by platform and catalog, so check the current store listing for the version you plan to play.
Best Value
- Physical combat over the shoulder free camera brings the action closer than ever combat in God of war is up close frenetic and unflinching. Kratos' Axes powerful, magic and multi faceted is a brutal weapon as well as a versatile tool for exploration
- Midgard and beyond: Set within the untamed forests, mountains, and realms of Norse lore, God of war features a distinctly new setting with its own pantheon of creatures, monsters, and gods
- Vicious, physical combat with an over the shoulder free camera that brings the player closer to the action than ever before
Valhalla is free downloadable content for PS4 and PS5 owners of Ragnarök; it is included with the PC purchase of the game. PlayStation lists Standard and Digital Deluxe editions of Sons of Sparta for PS5; the Deluxe edition includes digital in-game items, an artbook, and a soundtrack.
What about upcoming God of War games?
Upcoming releases do not belong in a playable order. As of October 4, 2026, PlayStation lists God of War Laufey for PS5 with a February 16, 2027 release date. The page’s stated count of 10 main entries includes Laufey, so it is not a count of games already available to play. This guide’s chronology covers released story games and labels Valhalla separately as DLC.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
