Started in 2005, the God of War series has followed Kratos through Greek and Norse mythology for more than two decades. The franchise includes mainline games, prequels, portable titles, a mobile game, and newer releases, which can make it confusing to know how to play all God of War games on PC and console in order, including God of War: Sons of Sparta (2026) and God of War: Laufey (2027).
This guide makes it simple by covering both ways to play the series. You can follow the chronological order to experience Kratos’ story from the beginning, or use the God of War release order to play the games as they were originally released. This guide covers both and explains how to play God of War games in the right order.
God of War Games in Order: Quick Overview
- First Game Release: God of War (2005)
- Latest Released Game: God of War: Sons of Sparta (2026), God of War: Laufey (2027)
- Main Greek Saga: God of War, God of War II, God of War III
- Norse Saga: God of War, God of War Ragnarök
- Prequels: Ascension, Chains of Olympus, Ghost of Sparta, Sons of Sparta
- Mobile Game: God of War: Betrayal
- Free DLC: God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla
- Main Platforms: PlayStation, PSP, PC
How Many God of War Games Are There? PC, Console, and Other Games
The God of War series has been released across PlayStation consoles, PC, portable devices, and other platforms. Here is a simple breakdown of the God of War games list by platform.
God of War PC Games
Here are the main God of War games on PC:
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarök
God of War Console Games
These are the main God of War games on PlayStation:
- PS2: God of War, God of War II
- PSP: God of War: Chains of Olympus, God of War: Ghost of Sparta
- PS3: God of War III, God of War: Ascension
- PS4: God of War (2018), God of War Ragnarök
- PS5: God of War Ragnarök, God of War: Sons of Sparta, God of War: Laufey
Other Releases
- Mobile: God of War: Betrayal
- Facebook Messenger: God of War: A Call from the Wilds
- DLC: God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla
How to Play All God of War Games in Chronological Order
Chronological order follows the events of Kratos’ life rather than the order in which the games were released. With Sons of Sparta now available, the God of War timeline starts with Kratos’ childhood and then moves through the Greek and Norse stories. This is the God of War games’ chronological order:
1. God of War: Sons of Sparta (2026)
God of War: Sons of Sparta is the earliest game in the God of War timeline. It follows a young Kratos and his brother Deimos during their Spartan training. The game takes place before Kratos becomes the servant of Ares and before the events of the original God of War game. It is also different from the traditional games because it uses a 2D action-platformer style.
2. God of War: Ascension (2013)
God of War: Ascension takes place after Kratos has been tricked by Ares into killing his wife and daughter. Kratos is now trying to break his blood oath to Ares. The Furies hunt him down, forcing Kratos into another battle against the forces of Greek mythology.
3. God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)
Next up in the chronological order, we have Chains of Olympus, which takes place during Kratos’ years serving the Greek gods. Here, Kratos is sent on a mission connected to Helios and the Underworld. The game shows more of Kratos’ life before the events of the original God of War.
4. God of War (2005)
The original God of War follows Kratos as he attempts to end his service to the gods and defeat Ares. After being haunted by his past, Kratos is given a chance to defeat the God of War. His journey eventually leads to him taking Ares’ place as the new God of War. Making this one of the most crucial games in the God of War timeline.
5. God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)
Ghost of Sparta takes place after the original GOW. Kratos is now the God of War but continues to struggle with memories of his past. He begins searching for his brother Deimos, taking him deeper into the secrets surrounding his family.
6. God of War: Betrayal (2007)
God of War: Betrayal was released as a mobile game for Java-based phones. The story takes place between Ghost of Sparta and God of War 2. It follows Kratos during his time as the God of War and adds a short chapter to the Greek saga.
7. God of War 2 (2007)
God of War 2 continues Kratos’ story after he becomes the God of War. Kratos becomes involved in a conflict with Zeus and the other gods of Olympus. His journey leads him toward the Titans and sets up the events of God of War 3.
8. God of War 3 (2010)
God of War 3 brings the Greek saga toward its conclusion. Here, Kratos joins the Titans in their war against Olympus and faces many of the major gods of Greek mythology. The game focuses on his final revenge against Zeus and the gods who betrayed him. Making this another very important title if you’re playing the God of War games in chronological order.
9. God of War: A Call from the Wilds (2018)
God of War: A Call from the Wilds is a short Facebook Messenger text adventure that takes place before the events of God of War (2018). It follows Atreus on one of his early adventures while his mother, Faye, is still alive. The story gives more background on Atreus, his abilities, and his relationship with his parents.
For the God of War chronological order, it serves as a side story, so it is not essential to the main God of War timeline, but it can be included for a more complete story.
10. God of War (2018)
The 2018 God of War begins a new chapter for Kratos. Years after the Greek saga, Kratos is living in Midgard with his son Atreus. After the death of Atreus’ mother, the two begin a journey that takes them across the Norse realms. The game also reveals more about Kratos’ past and introduces important Norse characters.
11. God of War: Laufey (2027)
God of War: Laufey takes place after Faye’s death and begins around the same point as the opening of God of War (2018). After her funeral, Faye awakens in the Everywhen, the afterlife of the gods. She discovers that the plans she made to protect Kratos and Atreus are now at risk, forcing her to begin a new journey of her own.
Because the game starts alongside the events that set up God of War (2018), it is best placed between God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök in a chronological play order. However, the full timeline and how much of the story overlaps with the 2018 game have not been completely revealed yet.
12. God of War Ragnarök + Valhalla (DLC) (2022)
As the final game in the God of War games in order, God of War Ragnarök continues the story of Kratos and Atreus several years after God of War (2018). Fimbulwinter has arrived, and the pair are drawn into the events leading to Ragnarök. The game continues their Norse journey and lets players explore all Nine Realms.
God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla takes place after the events of Ragnarök. It acts as an epilogue to Kratos’ Norse story, sending him on a new journey through the mysterious realm of Valhalla. Unlike the main games, Valhalla is a free DLC for God of War Ragnarök.
How to Play All God of War Games in Order of Release Date
If you are playing the God of War series for the first time, the God of War release order is generally the easiest way to experience the story and gameplay as the games originally evolved. Here is the full God of War games list in release order:
- God of War – 2005
- God of War II – 2007
- God of War: Betrayal – 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: A Call from the Wilds – 2018
- God of War – 2018
- God of War Ragnarök – 2022
- God of War: Sons of Sparta – 2026
- God of War: Laufey – 2027
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God of War Games in Order: FAQs
Q. How many God of War games are there?
A. There are 11 major God of War releases when the mobile game and Valhalla are counted separately. The latest released game is God of War: Sons of Sparta.
Q. What is the first God of War game?
A. The first God of War game released was the original God of War in 2005 for PlayStation 2.
Q. What is the chronological order of God of War games?
A. The story starts with Sons of Sparta, followed by Ascension, Chains of Olympus, God of War, Ghost of Sparta, Betrayal, God of War II, God of War III, God of War (2018), Ragnarök, and Valhalla.
Q. What is the best order to play God of War?
A. Release order is recommended for first-time players. It lets you experience the series as it was originally developed.
Q. Can you play God of War games on PC?
A. Yes. God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök are available on PC. The older Greek-era games remain tied mainly to PlayStation platforms.
Q. Is God of War: Sons of Sparta a prequel?
A. Yes. Sons of Sparta is a prequel that follows a young Kratos and his brother Deimos before the main Greek saga.
Q. Is God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla a full game?
A. No. Valhalla is a free DLC expansion for God of War Ragnarök. It takes place after the main story.
Q. Do I need to play the old God of War games before God of War 2018?
A. No. God of War (2018) can be played as a starting point, although playing the older games gives you more context about Kratos and his past.
Q. Is God of War 2018 a remake of the original?
A. No. God of War (2018) is a new game and a continuation of Kratos’ story, not a remake of the 2005 game.
