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Release & story order

God of War timeline

God of War from Kratos' Greek vengeance through Norse fatherhood—US release dates, chronological order (Ascension and PSP prequels before the 2005 original), and why many players start at God of War (2018).

Updated June 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Santa Monica Studio and partners shipped each chapter. The Greek trilogy landed on PS2/PS3, PSP prequels filled gaps, Ascension arrived last in Greece, then a soft reboot in 2018 and Ragnarök in 2022 closed the Norse arc.

  • Norse-only newcomers → God of War (2018) then Ragnarök—linear, modern polish; Greek backstory in optional flashbacks
  • Full saga → Release order (GoW 2005 through Ragnarök) for how the franchise evolved mechanically
  • Chronological lore binge → Story order (Ascension → Chains → GoW → Ghost → GoW II → GoW III → 2018 → Ragnarök)
  • Recommended Greek path → GoW I → Chains → Ghost → GoW II → GoW III → Ascension, then Norse duo—explained in the questions below
Story order tips

Kratos' life in fiction—Ascension and Chains of Olympus before the 2005 original, Ghost of Sparta between GoW I and II, then III, then a gap to Midgard in 2018 and Ragnarök ~3 years later. Release order differs sharply: Ascension and PSP games shipped years after the games they precede in story.

  • Greek block: Ascension (earliest) → Chains of Olympus → God of War (2005) → Ghost of Sparta → God of War II → God of War III
  • Norse block: God of War (2018) → Ragnarök (~3 years later)—play back-to-back
  • Ascension is story-first but release-last in Greece—weak gameplay reputation; Story order front-loads it
  • On Story order, some entries are hidden to avoid spoilers—click to reveal them, or turn on Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. God of War

    God of War

    PlayStation 2ActionMainline

    Original Greek epic—Kratos vs Ares.

    Overview
    Cinematic hack-and-slash on PS2—Blades of Chaos, QTE finishers, and rage-fueled anti-hero Kratos.
    In-game setting
    Kratos serves the gods, opens Pandora's Temple, and claims the throne of Ares.
    Should you play it?
    Third in story order after Ascension and Chains—release order starting point for the Greek saga.
    Release date
    North America launch March 22, 2005. Remastered on PS3 (Collection) and PS Vita.
  2. God of War II

    God of War II

    PlayStation 2ActionMainline

    Kratos vs Zeus—opens with Titan betrayal.

    Overview
    Expanded scale—riding Pegasus, the Island of Creation, and the Loom of Fate.
    In-game setting
    Picks up after Kratos is the new God of War; Zeus strips his power and Kratos climbs from Hades.
    Should you play it?
    Play immediately after Ghost of Sparta in story order—not right after GoW I.
    Release date
    North America launch March 13, 2007. PS3 remaster in Collection.
  3. God of War: Chains of Olympus

    God of War: Chains of Olympus

    PlayStation PortablePlayStation 3ActionMainline

    PSP prequel—Helios in the underworld.

    Overview
    Ready at Dawn handheld entry—set during Kratos' decade serving Olympus.
    In-game setting
    Story ~5 years before GoW (2005); Attica and Persephone's plot.
    Should you play it?
    Third by release date, second in story order—major chronology gap vs Story order.
    Release date
    North America launch March 4, 2008. Bundled in Origins Collection on PS3.
  4. God of War III

    God of War III

    PlayStation 3ActionMainline

    Olympus assault—Greek saga climax.

    Overview
    Scale peak on PS3—Gaia's back, Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus finales.
    In-game setting
    Continues directly from GoW II's cliffhanger—Titans climb Mount Olympus.
    Should you play it?
    End of Greek main arc before the 2018 reboot.
    Release date
    North America launch March 16, 2010. Remastered on PS4.
  5. God of War: Ghost of Sparta

    God of War: Ghost of Sparta

    PlayStation PortablePlayStation 3ActionMainline

    PSP—Kratos searches for Deimos.

    Overview
    Second Ready at Dawn PSP entry—Atlantis and Thanatos.
    In-game setting
    Story between GoW I and GoW II—brother Deimos and mother Callisto.
    Should you play it?
    Release after GoW III same year but fourth in story order—explained in the questions below.
    Release date
    North America launch November 2, 2010. Origins Collection on PS3.
  6. God of War: Ascension

    God of War: Ascension

    PlayStation 3ActionMainline

    Prequel—Kratos vs the Furies.

    Overview
    Only mainline with multiplayer; World Weapon mechanic—story earliest in Greece.
    In-game setting
    Six months after Kratos broke his blood oath to Ares—before Chains and GoW (2005).
    Should you play it?
    Release-last Greek game but story-first—often saved for hybrid play paths.
    Release date
    North America launch March 12, 2013. Last Greek-era home console entry before reboot.
  7. God of War

    God of War

    PlayStation 4PCAction RPGMainline

    Norse reboot—Kratos and Atreus.

    Overview
    Over-the-shoulder camera, Leviathan Axe, and father-son story in Midgard.
    In-game setting
    Years after GoW III—Kratos hides in Scandinavia; Baldur and the journey to Jötunheim.
    Should you play it?
    Best entry for Norse-only players—explained in the questions below.
    Release date
    PlayStation 4 launch April 20, 2018. PC (Steam) January 14, 2022.
  8. God of War Ragnarök

    God of War Ragnarök

    PlayStation 4PlayStation 5PCAction RPGMainline

    Nine Realms—Fimbulwinter and Ragnarök.

    Overview
    All Norse realms playable—Odin, Thor, Angrboda, and prophecy payoff.
    In-game setting
    ~3 years after 2018—Atreus' identity and Kratos' redemption arc conclude.
    Should you play it?
    Play immediately after God of War (2018). Valhalla DLC is separate—FAQ.
    Release date
    Console launch November 9, 2022. PC September 19, 2024.

FAQ

Release vs chronological order, Greek prequel placement, PSP side stories, Norse saga, and optional mobile or DLC.

Release order

Release order follows US launch dates (2005–2022)—how the franchise evolved from PS2 spectacle to Norse RPG. Story order follows Kratos' fiction: Ascension and Chains of Olympus predate God of War (2005), Ghost of Sparta sits between GoW I and II, then III, then the Midgard reboot and Ragnarök. Ascension shipped last in Greece (2013) but is story-first—expect whiplash if you play Story order literally.

Norse-only → God of War (2018) then Ragnarök (linear, best modern polish). Full canon → release order from GoW (2005) or hybrid Greek path (GoW I → Chains → Ghost → GoW II → GoW III → Ascension) before Norse. Chronological purists → Story order—start with Ascension if you want every beat, but gameplay is weakest there.

Story order

God of War: Ascension (2013) was the final Greek-era console game—a prequel set six months after Kratos killed his family, before Chains of Olympus and God of War (2005). Sony shipped it after GoW III to extend the franchise. Story order front-loads it; hybrid guides often save it until after GoW III when you already care about Kratos.

Optional & spin-offs

Collections & DLC

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.