God of War Games: Optimal Play Order for Maximum Immersion

This guide explores the optimal way to experience the God of War series, catering to both newcomers and seasoned fans. The series boasts a rich history, spanning the Greek and Norse sagas, making the ideal playing order a subject of much debate.

Essential God of War Games

While ten God of War 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 Playthrough Orders

Two primary approaches exist: release order and chronological order.

Release Order: This mirrors the games' original launch sequence, offering a historical perspective on the series' evolution. However, note that some earlier titles (like Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta) may not match the polish of the main trilogy.

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 continuity, but be prepared for inconsistencies in gameplay and graphics across different titles. The starting game is generally considered the weakest.

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 flow and gameplay experience, preventing player fatigue.

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 places prequels before their main entries, ensuring a smoother transition. Ascension, often considered the weakest, can be skipped with a YouTube summary if needed, though it does contain impressive action sequences.

Alternate Play Order: Norse Saga First

For players prioritizing modern gameplay and visuals, this order begins with the Norse Saga. While potentially controversial among longtime fans, it offers a compelling alternative.

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