In Which Order Should You Play God of War Games

Embark on the Epic Journey of Kratos: The Ultimate God of War Game Order Guide

New to the God of War franchise and unsure where to begin? This guide navigates the complexities of the Greek and Norse sagas, offering optimal play orders to maximize your enjoyment. With numerous titles, choosing a starting point can be daunting. This guide helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensures you experience the epic story in its best possible light.

All God of War Games (Essential Titles Only):

While ten God of War games exist, only eight are crucial to the overarching narrative. God of War: Betrayal (mobile) and God of War: A Call from the Wilds (Facebook) are safely skippable. The essential games are:

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 Ragnarök

Popular Play Orders:

Two primary approaches exist: release order and chronological order.

Release Order:

This follows the original game release sequence. While offering a historical perspective on the series' evolution, note that some prequels (like Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta) may not match the polish of the main trilogy.

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 Ragnarök (2022)
9. God of War Ragnarök Valhalla Mode (2023)

Chronological Order:

This prioritizes narrative flow. However, be aware of potential gameplay inconsistencies between titles. The starting game is generally considered the weakest.

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 Ragnarök
9. God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (Free DLC)

Recommended Play Order (Balancing Story and Gameplay):

This order considers both narrative coherence and gameplay experience, preventing early burnout.

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 Ragnarök
9. God of War Ragnarök Valhalla Mode

Note: Ascension is often considered the weakest entry. Consider a YouTube summary if you find it less enjoyable.

Alternative Play Order (Norse Saga First):

For players prioritizing modern gameplay and visuals, starting with the Norse Saga adds intrigue and mystery. This approach might be considered unconventional by some fans.

1. God of War (2018)
2. God of War Ragnarök
3. God of War Ragnarök 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

Choose the order that best suits your preferences and enjoy the thrilling journey of Kratos!