In Which Order Should You Play God of War Games

This guide explores the optimal order for playing the God of War games, catering to both newcomers and seasoned fans. The series, encompassing both the Greek and Norse sagas, presents a diverse range of gameplay and narrative experiences.

Essential Games (Excluding Spin-offs):

The core God of War experience consists of eight games, excluding the mobile title God of War: Betrayal and the Facebook game God of War: A Call from the Wilds.

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 launch sequence, providing a historical perspective on the series' evolution. However, note that the quality and gameplay mechanics vary across titles.

  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 continuity, but be aware of potential inconsistencies in gameplay and graphical fidelity between games.

  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:

This balanced approach considers both narrative flow 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 (Consider skipping if the gameplay feels dated; watch a recap online)
7. God of War (2018)
8. God of War Ragnarök
9. God of War Ragnarök Valhalla Mode

Alternative Play Order (Norse Saga First):

This order prioritizes the modern, improved gameplay of the Norse Saga before tackling the older Greek Saga titles. While unconventional, it offers a smoother introduction to the series' mechanics.

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

Ultimately, the best order depends on individual preferences. This guide provides various options to help you embark on your Kratos adventure.