God of War Timeline, Explained

God of War is an action-adventure series that adapts Greek and later Norse mythology into its stories and worlds. It follows the protagonist Kratos, demigod son of Zeus and Callisto, and his journey from Ancient Greece to the Nine Realms. In that way, you’ll find that all ten entries that have been released so far are related in some way. Specifically, consecutive entries have been making fan-favorite call-backs to previous games. 

Besides call backs, though, every new game has been sharing some kind of connection to previous games that can be aligned into some sort of chronological order. More interestingly, the chronological order hasn’t always followed the right timeline, with some games taking us back in time, and others way ahead into the future. And so, it can be confusing for gamers wanting to begin their journey into the series and play the games in the right order. 

Below, we highlight all ten God of War entries released so far based on the right timeline that you should play them in to understand the story better. 

Do note that some games have been excluded from the timeline. Specifically, God of War: Mimir’s Vision, an AR experience dedicated to bringing God of War’s world to yours, including immersing in the lands of Midgard and reveling in the stories of the legends of Norse mythology. That, as well as PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, a four-player platform fighter, where players battle each other and control characters from Sony franchises, including God of War. Here’s God of War timeline explained.

10. God of War Ragnarok (2022)

The latest God of War Ragnarok also happens to be the most recent in the timeline. It takes place after God of War (2018), three years later, to be specific. God of War (2018) concludes with setting in motion Fimbulwinter, which is three harsh winters without any intervening summers. It’s prophesied to be the prelude for the end of the world, otherwise known as Ragnarok. 

God of War Ragnarok tells quite a gripping story of the complicated relationship between father and son. It follows Kratos and his teenage son, Atreus, as they survive in the cold and prepare for the bloodbath that is to come. Against Kratos’ own wishes to avoid the war and amid Atreus’ journey of self-discovery, the father-son duo are forced to traverse the Nine Realms, fighting against the Norse gods in an attempt to stop Ragnarok and save the world.

9. God of War: A Call from the Wilds (2018)

Although God of War: A Call from the Wilds isn’t playable anymore, it was still an eye-opener into Atreus’ early life. It was a short text-based game released on Facebook Messenger that can still be found in YouTube playthroughs. You can think of it as a prequel to God of War (2018), when Atreus was still a child and his mother, Faye, was still alive. 

Atreus is just beginning to find his place in the Norse wilds. He’s grappling with his new abilities. Further, the game explores the relationship between mother and son. 

9. God of War (2018)

It’s been an unknown number of years since God of War III (2010). Kratos is a father now to Atreus and resides in the Norse realms. However, Faye has passed away. Hence, God of War (2018)’s themes of dealing with loss and grief, as well as Kratos learning to be a father. 

In the game, Kratos and Atreus journey across the Nine Realms to fulfill Faye’s wishes of spreading her ashes atop the highest peak in the Nine Realms. Their journey, though, isn’t without a hiccup or two. They run into familiar and new faces and battle against foes from Norse mythology. Toward the end, Fimbulwinter begins; the last sure sign of Ragnarok.  

7. God of War III (2010)

God of War III takes place right after the events in God of War II. It serves as the final chapter in the God of War trilogy. The storyline has always been a path to vengeance against Zeus and Olympus. And, Kratos is at center stage, constantly betrayed, and resorting to wreaking havoc throughout Ancient Greece. 

Kratos faces several betrayals by Zeus, King of the Olympian gods, who he learns is his father. It’s been a bloodbath all through the trilogy, the Great War, as it were, and God of War III serves as the final chapter where Kratos leads the Titans on Mount Olympus to defeat Zeus once and for all. 

6. God of War II (2007)

Thirteen years after the events in God of War (2005), God of War II begins with Kratos seated on Ares’ throne. However, conflict still resides between the gods. And, Kratos hasn’t let go of his desire to conquer Ancient Greece. 

But Zeus has had enough of Kratos’ blood rage. So, he strips his son of his powers. In retaliation, Kratos, once again, goes on a path of vengeance, killing foes and familiar Greek gods, and making his way to Mount Olympus.

5. God of War: Betrayal (2007)

God of War: Betrayal is an oddball. Unlike the other PlayStation entries on this list, Betrayal was a 2D sidescroller developed for cell phones. While the story here isn’t as profound, it features Kratos’ quest to conquer Ancient Greece. However, his quest takes a different turn when he’s framed for killing Argos, a mysterious creature sent to kill him.

Kratos follows the assassin responsible for killing Argos to learn its identity and who sent it. Onward, the story doesn’t quite add new lore or depth to the God of War timeline. I mean, besides what we already know of Kratos’ unquenchable bloodlust. It’s still worth mentioning, though, even though it’s now no longer playable.

4. God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)

Another game that takes a different turn from Kratos’ bloodlust is God of War: Ghost of Sparta. We find Kratos reigning on Ares’ throne but haunted by visions from his mortal past. 

Kratos decides to explore his origins in Atlantis, discovering his mother Callisto and brother Deimos, who is trapped in the Domain of Death. Naturally, he embarks on the journey to free his brother from the god of death, Thanatos. 

3. God of War (2005)

God of War (2005) may be the first entry in the series. However, it takes place ten years after God of War: Ascension (2013). Its storyline is pretty neat, evidently meant to be a one-and-done entry. But the entry was so successful that there ended up being a whole franchise of nine more titles. Anyway, we kick off with Kratos jumping off a cliff into the Aegean Sea.

It poses questions about why he’s resorted to killing himself, questions that are answered in a flashback three weeks before. As a Spartan warrior, Kratos is sent on his last mission by the Greek gods to kill Ares, the God of War. While the mission itself is a treacherous one, it’s the key to overcoming Kratos’ own endless nightmares and eventually becoming the greatest warrior in all of Sparta.

Still, his hauntings are too severe, and he jumps into the Aegean Sea. Athena then pulls Kratos out of the water and offers him a throne on Olympus: the God of War is born.

2. God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)

Dialing it back in time, Kratos was a Spartan warrior serving Ares, the true God of War. However, he renounced his servitude to Ares after he tricked him into killing his wife and daughter and wandered the earth serving the Greek gods.

For ten years, God of War: Chains of Olympus explores Kratos’ life serving the gods. He had to complete several tasks in order to gain freedom from his haunting past.

1. God of War: Ascension (2013)

And finally, the beginning of God of War’s timeline resides with God of War: Ascension. It’s the true origin story of Kratos’ life. The specific timeline is six months after Ares has tricked you into killing your own wife and daughter. As a result, you’ve renounced your service to Ares. But you are still haunted by your past. 

It’s the story of the early days of Kratos tapping into his bloodlust and vengeance. You see him transform from a Spartan demigod into the God of War. Your rage is aimed at the antagonists, the Furies. Killing them will free you from your oath to Ares. In the end, you leave Sparta to start a new life in service to the Greek gods.