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For the fullest context before God of War Laufey, play God of War (2018), then God of War Ragnarök. PlayStation recommends those two Norse-saga games for a deeper appreciation of Laufey’s world and characters. They are not required, though: PlayStation says Laufey can be enjoyed as a standalone game, so you can also start there without playing earlier entries.
Which God of War games should you play first?
The right choice depends on how much story context you want and how much time you have:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
God of War Ragnarök - PlayStation 4 | $28.89 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
God of War Hits - PlayStation 4 | $19.50 | 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 III: Remastered (PS4) | $21.49 | Buy on Amazon |
- For the recommended story preparation: Play God of War (2018), followed by God of War Ragnarök. This is the pair PlayStation names for fuller appreciation of Laufey’s world and characters.
- If you have time for just one older game: Choose Ragnarök for a closer connection to the current Norse saga. That is a practical recommendation based on its place in the sequence, not a separate PlayStation ranking; the character arc begins in the 2018 game.
- If you want more Norse-saga material afterward: Play Ragnarök: Valhalla after Ragnarök. It is optional downloadable content, not one of the two full games in PlayStation’s recommended preparation pair.
- If you want a fresh start or have no time for backstory: Start with God of War Laufey. PlayStation describes it as playable standalone.
PlayStation’s US series page lists God of War Laufey as a single-player, story-driven action-adventure starring Laufey, also known as Faye. As of October 4, 2026, the page lists a February 16, 2027 release on PS5; release dates and platform details can change, so check the official PlayStation series page for current information.
Do you need to play God of War (2018) before Ragnarök?
You do not need to treat the 2018 game as a requirement to begin Ragnarök, but playing it first gives you the start of the Norse-saga character arc and follows the story sequence. For preparation that matches PlayStation’s guidance for Laufey, play both games in this order: God of War (2018), then God of War Ragnarök.
#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)
How much time should you set aside?
PlayStation’s official FAQ gives estimates rather than guarantees and encourages players to go at their own pace. Main-story play and completionist play are different commitments:
| Game or play style | PlayStation estimate |
|---|---|
| God of War (2018), main story | Around 20–25 hours total, depending on difficulty |
| God of War (2018), completionist run | Around 40–50 hours |
| God of War Ragnarök, main story plus a selection of side quests | Up to 40 hours |
| God of War Ragnarök, seeing everything | 55–60 hours |
These figures come from PlayStation’s undated series FAQ, accessed October 4, 2026. They should not be added together as a guaranteed total: difficulty, playstyle, and what counts as “everything” affect the time required.
Rank #2
- 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
Where can you play the games?
PlayStation lists both God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök for PS4, PS5, and PC. God of War Laufey is listed for PS5. Check the platform and edition details before buying, since availability can vary by version and storefront.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteRagnarök: Valhalla is available to PS4 and PS5 owners of Ragnarök through PlayStation Store, and is included with the PC game, according to PlayStation. It takes place after Ragnarök, making it optional post-game material rather than a separate starting point.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Beautifully rendered at 1080p and running at 60 frames per second, God of War III Remastered is ready for the next generation
- The brand new photo mode will allow players to freeze the jaw-dropping action to edit, save and share photos.
- God of War III Remastered shows off realistic muscle contours, detailed facial expressions and new heightened levels of brutality and gore
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
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)
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.
