Best Order to Play God of War Games Revealed

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

If you're new to the God of War series and considering delving into its expansive world, you might be wondering where to start. With over half a dozen games spanning the Greek Saga and the Norse Saga, choosing a starting point can be daunting. Fans often debate the best approach—some advocate diving straight into the Norse Saga, while others insist on experiencing the Greek games first. This guide will help you navigate the best order to experience the God of War series, ensuring you don't miss out on any epic moments.

All God Of War Games In The Series

There are 10 God of War games in total, but only eight are essential for a complete experience. Two titles, God of War: Betrayal (2007), a mobile game with limited narrative impact, and God of War: A Call from the Wilds (2018), a text adventure on Facebook, can be skipped without missing significant story or gameplay. The remaining games are crucial for understanding Kratos' full journey.

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 playing a long-running series like God of War, you have two primary approaches: release order or chronological order. Several titles serve as prequels to the main trilogy, prompting questions about the optimal experience for diving into these acclaimed games.

Release Order

Playing in release order is straightforward: follow the order in which the games were launched. This method is how many long-time fans experienced the series. Note that titles like Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta may not match the production quality of the main trilogy. Playing in release order also showcases the evolution of gameplay mechanics and design improvements over time.

The release order is as follows:

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 you prioritize the story, playing in chronological order is the best approach. Be prepared for variations in graphic quality and gameplay as you jump between games. The initial game in this order is often considered the weakest, so don't judge the entire franchise based on your first experience.

The chronological order is as follows:

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

There's no universal order that suits every fan, but the sequence below balances narrative and gameplay to prevent new players from feeling overwhelmed. We recommend playing the God of War games in the following order:

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 play its prequel, Chains of Olympus, followed by Ghost of Sparta. Next, play God of War 2 and God of War 3 consecutively, as the third game picks up immediately after the second. After completing God of War 3, play Ascension to finish the Greek Saga. Then, proceed to God of War (2018), followed by Ragnarok, and finish with the Valhalla DLC in Ragnarok.

God of War: Ascension is often considered the weakest in the series. If you're not enjoying it, consider skipping it and watching a recap on YouTube. However, Ascension does feature impressive action sequences, so it's worth trying to push through if possible.

Alternate Order To Play God Of War Games

While the older God of War games are classics, their age might not appeal to everyone. An alternative approach is to start with the Norse Saga before tackling the Greek Saga. Though some fans might find this controversial, it has its merits. The Norse games offer improved combat, higher production values, and stunning visuals. Additionally, not knowing the Greek context can add an intriguing layer of mystery to both God of War (2018) and Kratos' tragic past.

The alternate order to play the God of War games is as follows:

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