The God of War franchise has seven games currently available, with God of War: Ragnarok coming soon, but what is the chronological order of each game?
God of War has seven games currently available for purchase, with God of War: Ragnarok releasing at some point this year, but the series doesn't progress in a strictly chronological order. As a god, Kratos has lived a long and painful life filled with loss and manipulation. His harsh upbringing and rage created countless stories throughout Greek mythology, creating a twisted tale in Ancient Greece's canon. With the latest game coming soon, some fans may want to understand how Kratos earned his legend as a battle-hardened, immortal warrior.
God of War follows Kratos' life story, a former Spartan General who once pledged allegiance to the Olympian Gods. Raised from birth to become a fearless warrior, Kratos has endured countless betrayals at the gods' hands, leaving him embittered and distrusting. While the games' releases don't follow a chronological order, players who've played the franchise from beginning to end can likely piece together Kratos' story. Though most of the series takes place in Ancient Greece and features prominent figures from Greek mythology, the series recently shifted to Norse mythology and could explore other cultures like Egyptian or Aztec in the future.
As a hack-and-slash, action-adventure game, God of War features bloody battles against with vicious monsters and powerful gods. Kratos' hardened personality stems from years of trauma and bloodshed, and his reluctance to use the Chaos Blades in 2018's God of War is understandable given his past. While the latest game in the franchise provides a fresh starting point for many new fans, Kratos' heart-wrenching tale began far before Atreus' birth and justifies his grim outlook on the gods.
God Of War: Ascension Explores Kratos' Early Days
Despite not being created first, players going through the series chronologically should begin with God of War: Ascension. The game takes place six months after Kratos unintentionally killed his first wife and daughter under Ares' orders. Distraught by his actions, God of War's Kratos becomes a recluse and vows to never fight for the gods again. Unfortunately, Ares deems his service necessary and sends the Furies to capture the renegade Spartan. The Furies torture Kratos with visions of his past and try to tempt him back to Ares' side. Kratos escapes with the help of Orkos (son of the Furies and Ares) and manages to free himself from Ares' rule. Despite his newfound freedom, Kratos still succumbs to the service of the Olympian gods in later games.
God Of War: Chains Of Olympus Follows Kratos' Olympus Days
God of War: Chains of Olympus takes place five years into Kratos' decade of servitude to the Olympians. On a mission to defend Attica from the Persian Armies, Greece falls victim to an attack from Morpheus, the God of Dreams. Kratos is ordered to find Helios, whose missing light forced the Olympians into slumber and covered the world. Promised relief from his nightmares, Kratos continues his rampage through the Underworld to find Atlas and free Helios. After discovering the perpetrator behind God of War: Chains of Olympus' plot is Persephone, the pair battle, and Kratos fulfills his duty by returning the sun god to the sky and restoring balance to the world. Unfortunately, the battle leaves him weak, and the gods abandon him on the Suicide Bluffs.
God Of War Began The Franchise's Legacy
God of War explores multiple chapters in Kratos' life, including how he came to serve Ares. Before his association with the gods, Kratos enjoyed a seasoned career as a Spartan general, eventually amassing an army of thousands. Unfortunately, they were no match for a barbarian horde that wiped out Kratos' entire force. He prayed for Ares to grant him strength but succumbed to a bloodlust that murdered his wife and daughter. Players undergo Kratos' time of mourning and service to the other Olympian gods. Finally, he receives a chance to overthrow Ares and obtain his throne, making Kratos the new God of War for the Greek pantheon.
God Of War: Ghost Of Sparta Is A Family Tale
After inheriting Ares' throne and role, God of War: Ghost of Sparta reveals that Kratos' mother and long-lost brother, Deimos, are still alive. In Kratos' childhood, it's revealed that Zeus learned that a Marked Child would kill him and sent Ares and Athena to kill Deimos for his scars. Unfortunately, the pair took the wrong brother and left Kratos behind, sowing the seeds of their own destruction. When Kratos pursues the remnants of his family, Athena directs him to Atlantis, where his mother resides. Though he is ultimately unable to save his mother, she directs him to the Underworld, where Deimos is held captive by Thanatos, the God of Death. Though Kratos eventually frees his brother, he succumbs to his wounds and leaves Kratos with the aftermath of the Olympians' betrayal. Vowing vengeance, Kratos returns to Olympus.
God Of War II Sends Kratos To The Underworld
Finished with serving Olympus, God of War 2 explores Kratos' rebellion against the gods. Following the deaths of his mother and brother, Kratos turns his Spartan army to Rhodes to try and conquer Greece. Despite Athena's warnings that she cannot hold Olympus off forever and likely won't survive the outcome. As predicted, Zeus soon moves against Kratos, stealing his godly powers and killing his son. God of War 2 allies Kratos with the Titans, who seek vengeance against the Olympians for locking them away. Unfortunately, Kratos is stopped by Athena before he can kill Zeus, extending the Great War into the next game.
God Of War III Finished The Greek Chapter Of Kratos' Life
God of War 3 finally gave Kratos vengeance against the Olympians that had betrayed and tortured him. After his father had tried to kill him, Kratos sought vengeance against Zeus and the Olympian gods. Players cut their way through Mount Olympus alongside the Titans, killing indomitable gods and monsters alike. Like most chapters of Kratos' life, the Titans soon betray their "leader" and cast him to the River Styx. With the help of Athena, Kratos regains his weapons and powers and fights to escape the Underworld a second time. Players face villains from previous games, finally defeating Hades, Helios, Hermes, Aphrodite, Hera, and more. God of War 3 finally allows Kratos to kill Zeus and Gaia in bloody combat (with the help of Pandora's Box). After releasing Hope to humanity, Kratos collapses to the Earth, mirroring his suicide attempt from past games.
God Of War (2018) Created New Beginnings
Despite sharing a name with a previous God of War game, 2018's God of War explores a new mythology for the first time. After defeating the Olympian gods and flooding his homelands, Kratos drifted to the Norselands, where he met a woman named Faye and sired a son named Atreus. The pair spent over a decade together until Faye's death from unknown circumstances. To honor her last request, Kratos and Atreus embark on a journey to spread her ashes from the highest peak in the realms. However, the father-son duo draws powerful Aesir gods' attention, resulting in a hunt across the Nine Realms.
God Of War: Ragnarok Explores Another Doomsday
God of War: Ragnarok is the only game on this list that hasn't been released, but is scheduled to release at some point during 2022. As Fimbulwinter draws to a close, Kratos and Atreus anticipate the arrival of Ragnarok, the prophesied end of the world. As Atreus struggles to learn more about his identity as Loki, the father-son duo is pursued by Freya and Thor. After killing God of War's Modi, Magni, and Baldur, the Aesir will likely hunt players for the game's entirety or until Freya and Thor are killed. Kratos and Atreus set out across the frozen world searching for Tyr, the Norse God of War who's believed to be dead, in hopes that he can stop Ragnarok and offer the pair aid.
It's unknown when Kratos' story will come to an end, though if 2018's God of War is to be believed, he may perish during Ragnarok. Santa Monica Studios already confirmed that Kratos' journey through Norse mythology would end with God of War: Ragnarok, meaning the god could explore other mythologies or retire from the protagonist role and leave Atreus to take the series. God of War: Ragnarok should release in 2022, but Santa Monica Studios hasn't confirmed a release date yet.
Next: God Of War's Slow Opening Hides The Game's True Brilliance
