"Optimal Play Order for God of War Series 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

Diving into the expansive world of the God of War series can be daunting for newcomers, with over half a dozen games spanning the Greek and Norse Sagas. Deciding where to start can indeed feel overwhelming. Fans often debate whether to skip the Greek games and jump straight into the Norse Saga, or if that's akin to missing out on essential lore. This guide will help you navigate the best order to experience the God of War series, ensuring you capture all the epic moments along the way.

All God Of War Games In The Series

The God of War series boasts 10 games, though only eight are crucial for understanding Kratos' journey. You can skip God of War: Betrayal (2007), a mobile game with minimal narrative impact, and God of War: A Call from the Wilds (2018), a text-based adventure on Facebook, without missing out on significant story elements. Here's the list of essential games:

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 embarking on the God of War series, you have two primary approaches: release order or chronological order. Given that several titles are prequels to the main trilogy, choosing the right method can enhance your experience with these critically acclaimed games.

Release Order

Opting for the release order is straightforward: play the games in the sequence they were released. This approach mirrors the journey of long-time fans and showcases the evolution of gameplay mechanics and design. However, be aware 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:

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're more interested in the narrative flow, the chronological order is your best bet. Be prepared for some variation in graphic and gameplay quality as you move between games. The first game in this order is often considered the weakest, so keep an open mind as you progress.

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

While there's no universal agreement on the perfect order, the following sequence balances narrative and gameplay to prevent new players from feeling overwhelmed. We recommend playing the God of War games in this 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 dive into its prequels, Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta. Follow this with God of War 2 and 3, which should be played consecutively as the third game directly follows the second. After completing God of War 3, tackle Ascension to wrap up the Greek Saga. Then, move on to the Norse Saga with God of War (2018), Ragnarok, and the Valhalla DLC.

Note that God of War: Ascension is often seen as the weakest link. If it's not to your liking, consider skipping it and catching up on its story via a YouTube recap. However, its over-the-top action might still be worth experiencing.

Alternate Order To Play God Of War Games

If the older games feel dated, there's an alternative approach: start with the Norse Saga before exploring the Greek Saga. While some fans might find this order sacrilegious, it offers a fresh perspective. The Norse games boast improved combat, higher production values, and stunning visuals. Not knowing the Greek context can add an intriguing layer of mystery to Kratos' past and the narratives of God of War (2018) and Ragnarok.

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