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Diving into the God of War series can be both thrilling and daunting, especially for newcomers. With a saga that spans both the Greek and Norse mythologies, deciding where to start can feel overwhelming. Fans often have strong opinions on the best approach — some advocate starting with the Norse Saga, while others argue that you must begin with the Greek games to truly appreciate the full journey of Kratos. This guide will help you navigate the best way to experience this epic series without missing any of its pivotal moments.
All God Of War Games In The Series
The God of War series comprises 10 games, but only eight are essential for the full narrative experience. You can safely skip God of War: Betrayal (2007), a mobile game with limited impact on the storyline, and God of War: A Call from the Wilds (2018), a text-based adventure on Facebook. Here are the key games that chart Kratos' epic journey:
- God of War 1
- God of War 2
- God of War 3
- God of War: Chains of Olympus
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta
- God of War: Ascension
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarok
Most Popular Orders To Play The God Of War Games
When tackling a series as extensive as God of War, you have two primary approaches: release order or chronological order. Both methods have their merits, especially given the series' prequels.
Release Order
Playing in release order is the simplest way to experience the evolution of the series. This method allows you to see how gameplay mechanics and design have evolved over time. However, keep in mind that some titles like Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta may not match the production quality of the main trilogy.
The release order is as follows:
- God of War 1 (2005)
- God of War 2 (2007)
- God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)
- God of War 3 (2010)
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)
- God of War: Ascension (2013)
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarok (2022)
- God of War Ragnarök Valhalla Mode (2023)
Chronological Order
If the story is your main focus, the chronological order is the way to go. Be aware that jumping between games can lead to some graphical and gameplay inconsistencies. The series' starting point is often seen as the weakest, so it's best not to judge the entire franchise based on your first game.
The chronological order is as follows:
- God of War: Ascension
- God of War: Chains of Olympus
- God of War 1
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta
- God of War 2
- God of War 3
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarok
- God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla (Free DLC)
Best Order To Play The God Of War Games
While opinions vary, the following order strikes a balance between narrative flow and gameplay quality, ensuring a comprehensive yet enjoyable journey:
- God of War 1
- God of War: Chains of Olympus
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta
- God of War 2
- God of War 3
- God of War: Ascension
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarok
- God of War Ragnarok Valhalla Mode
Begin with the original God of War, then delve into its prequels, Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta. Follow with God of War 2 and God of War 3, which should be played back-to-back due to their connected storylines. After completing God of War 3, tackle Ascension to round out the Greek Saga. Then, move to the Norse Saga with God of War (2018), followed by Ragnarok and its Valhalla DLC.
Note that God of War: Ascension is considered the weakest entry. If it's not to your liking, consider skipping it and catching up via a YouTube recap, although it does offer some thrilling action sequences.
Alternate Order To Play God Of War Games
If the older games feel dated, you might prefer an alternative approach that starts with the Norse Saga before exploring the Greek Saga. While controversial, this method offers a fresh perspective on Kratos' journey, with the added mystery of his past.
The alternate order is as follows:
- God of War (2018)
- God of War Ragnarok
- God of War Ragnarok Valhalla Mode
- God of War: Ascension
- God of War: Chains of Olympus
- God of War 1
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta
- God of War 2
- God of War 3
