GameTimeline

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 August 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

    God of War (2005) unleashes Kratos on the Greek pantheon—blades, rage, and cinematic set pieces on PS2.

    Overview
    Fixed-camera spectacle combat and QTEs that defined mid-2000s PlayStation action prestige. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Athens siege arc. Story tab places Ascension/Chains earlier chronologically. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Greek saga start on Release. HD collections help on later PlayStations. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US March 22, 2005 on PlayStation 2. Later HD ports on PS3/Vita collections.
  2. God of War II

    God of War II

    PlayStation 2ActionMainline

    God of War II continues Kratos’s war on Olympus—time travel set pieces and larger boss spectacles.

    Overview
    Expands traversal toys and myth cameos while escalating the anti-god revenge plot. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Leads into God of War III. PSP titles interleave on Story. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Direct sequel—play after God of War (2005). Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US March 13, 2007 on PS2; HD collections later. Prefer modern digital editions when older editions are awkward to run.
  3. God of War: Chains of Olympus

    God of War: Chains of Olympus

    PlayStation PortablePlayStation 3ActionMainline

    God of War: Chains of Olympus is a PSP prequel—Kratos serves the gods years before the 2005 game.

    Overview
    Handheld Greek campaign with surprisingly cinematic production for PSP hardware. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Persian/Underworld handheld arc. Fine before GoW on lore order. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Optional on Release; early on Story (~5 years before GoW). Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US March 4, 2008 on PSP; PS3 remaster in HD collections.
  4. God of War III

    God of War III

    PlayStation 3ActionMainline

    God of War III is the Greek climax—Kratos tears through Olympus on PS3-scale spectacle.

    Overview
    Remastered later on PS4; peak fixed-camera carnage before the 2018 reboot soft reset. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Olympus finale. Norse era begins afterward with God of War (2018). Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Caps the Greek path. Play after GoW II (and ideally the PSP bridging tales). Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US March 16, 2010 on PS3; Remastered on PS4 July 2015.
  5. God of War: Ghost of Sparta

    God of War: Ghost of Sparta

    PlayStation PortablePlayStation 3ActionMainline

    God of War: Ghost of Sparta explores Kratos’s brother Deimos—PSP story between GoW and GoW II.

    Overview
    Handheld character piece deepening Spartan trauma with Atlantis set pieces. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Deimos arc. Skip only if you want strict mainline numbered games. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Optional but enriching. Story placement after GoW (2005). Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US November 2, 2010 on PSP; PS3 HD collection later. Prefer modern digital editions when older editions are awkward to run.
  6. God of War: Ascension

    God of War: Ascension

    PlayStation 3ActionMainline

    God of War: Ascension is the earliest Greek tale—Kratos bound by blood oath before the numbered revenge.

    Overview
    Prequel multiplayer experiments plus a shorter single-player myth about the Furies. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Earliest Greek fiction here. Then Chains → GoW on chronology. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    First on Story; late on Release (2013). Optional for Norse-only players. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US March 12, 2013 on PlayStation 3.
  7. God of War

    God of War

    PlayStation 4PCAction RPGMainline

    God of War (2018) soft-reboots Kratos in Midgard—axe combat, Atreus, and a single-shot camera journey.

    Overview
    Over-the-shoulder RPG-action reinvention that won critical acclaim and a new audience. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Wildwoods to Jötunheim arc. Required before Ragnarök. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Norse entry—playable without Greek games, richer with them. Leads to Ragnarök. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US April 20, 2018 on PS4; PC January 14, 2022.
  8. God of War Ragnarök

    God of War Ragnarök

    PlayStation 4PlayStation 5PCAction RPGMainline

    God of War Ragnarök continues Midgard’s end—Fimbulwinter, realm travel, and Atreus coming of age.

    Overview
    Larger companion toolkit and denser realm hubs on the 2018 combat foundation. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel ~three years later in fiction. Valhalla DLC optional post-game. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Current Norse end as of 2026. Play after God of War (2018). Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US November 9, 2022 on PS4/PS5; 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.