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, spanning Greek and Norse sagas, offers multiple approaches, each with its own merits.

Essential God of War Games

While ten 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) can be safely omitted. The core eight 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: Release vs. Chronological

Two primary approaches exist: release order and chronological order.

Release Order: This follows the games' original release dates, offering a glimpse into the evolution of gameplay mechanics. However, the quality varies, with some prequels falling short of the main trilogy.

The release order is:

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, but involves gameplay inconsistencies across titles. The initial game is generally considered the weakest.

The chronological order is:

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 order balances narrative coherence and gameplay experience:

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

This approach strategically interweaves prequels with the main storyline, ensuring a smoother progression. Ascension, while the weakest, is included for narrative completeness; however, a YouTube summary is a viable alternative if desired.

Alternate Play Order: Norse Saga First

This unconventional approach starts with the Norse Saga, prioritizing modern gameplay and visuals. The lack of prior Greek context adds intrigue.

The alternate order is:

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 options to suit various playstyles and priorities.