When it comes to action-packed adventures that blend epic storytelling with brutal combat, few games do it better than God of War.

This legendary franchise has taken players on unforgettable journeys through mythological worlds, with a certain grumpy, axe-wielding Spartan at the center of it all. From the fiery depths of ancient Greece to the icy realms of Norse mythology, Kratos has hacked, slashed, and growled his way into gaming history. But how did this angry anti-hero become the icon we know today?

It all started in 2005 when Kratos first unleashed his rage upon the gods of Olympus. Over the years, he’s evolved not only as a warrior but also as a character, shifting from a god-killer driven by vengeance to a father grappling with his past mistakes. Each game in the series brings its own flavor of mythological madness, with massive boss fights, cinematic storytelling, and more than a few jaw-dropping moments. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned god-slayer, there’s no shortage of divine drama to dive into.

From the original trilogy that shook the world of hack-and-slash, to the latest Norse saga that redefined the series, we’re about to take a deep dive into all the major God of War games. So grab your Leviathan Axe, flex those muscles, and let’s explore what makes this franchise a true titan in the history of gaming!

God of War Games List
GameReleaseGenreDeveloper
God of War 2005 Action-adventure SIE Santa Monica Studio
God of War II 2007 Action-adventure SIE Santa Monica Studio
God of War: Chains of Olympus 2008 Action-adventure SCE Santa Monica Studio, Ready at Dawn
God of War Collection 2009 Action-adventure Bluepoint Games
God of War III 2010 Action-adventure SIE Santa Monica Studio
God of War: Ghost of Sparta 2010 Action-adventure Ready at Dawn
God of War: Origins Collection 2011 Action-adventure Ready at Dawn
God of War: Ascension 2011 Action-adventure SIE Santa Monica Studio
God of War III: Remastered 2015 Action-adventure Red Kite Games
God of War III: Remastered 2015 Action-adventure Red Kite Games
God of War (PC) - Steam Key - GLOBAL 2022-01-14 Action SIE Santa Monica Studio
God of War Ragnarök (PC) - Steam Key - GLOBAL 2024-09-19 SIE Santa Monica Studio

God of War

Release:2005
Genre:Action-adventure
Developer:SIE Santa Monica Studio

The original God of War, the game that started a franchise. It follows Kratos, a former Spartan captain, now a furious man, cursed to forever be covered in ashes of the family he slew in an Ares-induced rage. The game starts a decade from that moment after Kratos has sworn vengeance against Ares and started serving other gods, in exchange for some hope of finding absolution.

God-of-war-2005
Image credit: SIE Santa Monica Studio

God of War’s gameplay took quite a few hints from the Devil May Cry series. Especially the combo-focused, spectacular combat system would feel familiar. In addition to combat, there was a lot of platforming to do, and many puzzles to solve. GoW also got a lot of mileage from Quick Time Events, used especially for gruesome finishing moves. It was, and still is, a solid action game.

Key features
  • The first God of War game
  • Take Kratos on a roaring rampage of revenge against Ares
  • Intense, spectacular combat using the Blades of Chaos
  • Several magical powers granted by the gods

God of War II

Release:2007
Genre:Action-adventure
Developer:SIE Santa Monica Studio

According to many players, God of War II took everything that was good about God of War and made it even better. The gameplay core remained the same, with a few new weapons, such as the Barbarian Hammer, and new or renamed magical abilities. There are also new relics, which, as it often is, turn out to be quite useful for out-of-combat exploration and puzzle-solving.

God-of-war-2
Image credit: SIE Santa Monica Studio

The story follows the classic setup of „thing would have been fine if Zeus could be chill for a moment”. It involves Kratos getting de-powered, meeting a few Titans and heroes, and generally being a much bigger problem for the gods than he would have been without Zeus’ intervention. Seeing how Kratos is screwed over by the gods makes it easy to follow him on the journey, despite his temper.

Key features
  • An all-around improvement on the first game
  • Engaging story featuring many familiar figures from Greek myths
  • Exciting combat with a few new toys
  • Well-designed levels

God of War: Chains of Olympus

Release:2008
Genre:Action-adventure
Developer:SCE Santa Monica Studio, Ready at Dawn

Chains of Olympus is more of a spin-off than a main installment, but it’s nevertheless worthy of attention. Launched for PlayStation Portable rather than its bigger sibling, the story it tells is a prequel to the main story, taking place during the decade before the events of GoW 1. This time Kratos has to save Attica from a Persian army and then save the world from Morpheus’ sleep spell. No big deal.

God-of-war-chains-of-olympus
Image credit: SIE Santa Monica Studio

The new toys provided to Kratos in Chains of Olympus are mighty gauntlets and a powerful shield, but the core of combat still is based on the Blades of Chaos, their chains still wrapped around Kratos’ arms. There’s also a post-game challenge mode, which hides costumes and behind-the-scenes material, waiting for those, who can complete the tasks.

Key features
  • A PSP spin-off
  • Set before the events of the main series
  • New weapons: gauntlets and a shield
  • Kratos goes up against Morpheus’ world-threatening sleep spell

God of War Collection

Release:2009
Genre:Action-adventure
Developer:Bluepoint Games

Not a game as such, God of War Collection is a remaster and re-release of God of War 1 and 2 for PlayStation 3. It launched ahead of the premiere of God of War III to catch PS3 player up to speed with the main story. The resolution got increased, the frame cap was raised to 60fps, it was a great way to play these two awesome games.

god-of-war-collection
Image credit: Bluepoint Games

God of War III

Release:2010
Genre:Action-adventure
Developer:SIE Santa Monica Studio

God of War III didn’t innovate much, content to improve on what already proved to be great in the previous installments. There are new weapons: claws and a whip, plus a gauntlet weapon coming back from Chains of Olympus. Magical attacks are now linked to a specific weapon, rather than freely accessible, which doesn’t hurt, because Kratos can fluidly swap weapons without breaking a combo.

God-of-war-3
Image credit: SIE Santa Monica Studio

God of War III was the final chapter in the ongoing story of Kratos, at least until the announcement of 2018’s GoW a few years later. Beginning right where GoW2 ended, Kratos and his temporary allies assault Mount Olympus in a bid to kill Zeus once and for all, no matter how many gods stand in Kratos’ way. It’s excessively violent, with an especially infamous scene with Zeus, so be warned.

Key features
  • New weapons: a whip and claws to support Kratos’ trusty chained swords
  • The final assault on Olympus, with lethal results
  • Truly spectacular finale to the core trilogy
  • Set up some events from 2018’s God of War

God of War: Ghost of Sparta

Release:2010
Genre:Action-adventure
Developer:Ready at Dawn

Another PlayStation Portable installment of the series, Ghost of Sparta is set between the events of GoW1 and GoW 2. The story explores Kratos’ past, and sends him on a search for his brother, lost long ago when both were just boys in training. It doesn’t recontextualize much, but it does bring some backstory to Kratos’ defining design elements, and roots him stronger in Olympian affairs.

god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta
Image credit: Ready at Dawn

Gameplay was expanded with another new weapon: an all-time classic combo of spear and shield, and combat got a whole bunch of new death animations for weapons and magical powers. Ghost of Sparta isn’t by any means essential, but despite the limited power of PSP it was a great entry in the series.

Key features
  • A PSP-first God of War
  • Expands Kratos’ backstory
  • New weapon
  • Some post-game content in the form of various Challenges to complete

God of War: Origins Collection

Release:2011
Genre:Action-adventure
Developer:Ready at Dawn

The Origins Collection is “merely” a PlayStation 3 release of previously PSP-bound Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta, bringing these two memorable installments to the big console, with nifty technical improvements powered by the mightier hardware. 1080p, 60fps, anti-aliasing, all good stuff making the oldish games from a weaker console look pretty good indeed.

God-of-war-Origins-Collection
Image credit: Ready at Dawn

God of War: Ascension

Release:2013
Genre:Action-adventure
Developer:SIE Santa Monica Studio

Although Kratos’ Greek adventures ended in God of War III, it didn’t mean there were no more stories to tell. GoW: Ascension takes place after Kratos told Ares to go screw, which, as it turned out, was a bad move that made a lot of people unhappy. Kratos got imprisoned by the Furies, who take oath-breaking seriously. The events you play through will lead Kratos to his oath to other Olympians.

God-of-war-ascension
Image credit: SIE Santa Monica Studio

Ascension was quite unique in the series because it included multiplayer for up to eight players. It’s a PvP experience, with players fighting to curry favor with one of four gods: Zeus, Ares, Poseidon, or Hades. In terms of continuing the bold tradition of adding new weapons in every installment, in single-player Kratos could grab mundane arms laying around or snatched from disarmed enemies.

Key features
  • Set soon after Kratos renounced Ares and got imprisoned for it
  • The first and only God of War with multiplayer
  • Reveals more about Ares’ original motivations
  • New world weapons system letting Kratos pick up and use mundane weapons

God of War III: Remastered

Release:2015
Genre:Action-adventure
Developer:Red Kite Games

This game is exactly what it says on the box: it’s a remastered version of God of War III bringing it from PS3 to PlayStation 4. You know what it means by now: higher resolution, better framerates, and a surprising, but certainly not unwelcome photo mode, in case you want to document Kratos’ deicidal rampage. It was a nice gesture, letting PS4 owners play that chapter before the next GoW.

god-of-war-3-remastered
Image credit: Red Kite Games

God of War (2018)

Release:2022-01-14
Genre:Action-adventure
Developer:SIE Santa Monica Studio

The belle of the ball, the Norse chapter of Kratos’ adventures amazed everyone and might have contributed to the sales of PlayStation 4. Justly so, because it’s a phenomenal, cinematic experience, with exceptionally satisfying combat animations, and awesome graphics. It also both pays tribute to and plays with Norse mythology the way it did with Greek myths, and who knows where it leads.

The story kicks off when Kratos and his son Atreus finish the funeral of the boy’s mother, Faye. After that they encounter a seemingly immortal god, take advice from a talkative head, and deal with a lot of engaging divine family drama. There’s a lot going on in this game, and the single-shot approach to immersing you in the story is an interesting, and effective idea. Meanwhile, Ragnarök is coming.

Key features
  • An exceptional PS4-first game, now coming to PC
  • It received a sequel, subtitled Ragnarök, taking the story forward after three-year timeskip
  • Engaging story revolving around the father-son relations between Kratos and Atreus
  • Satisfying, crunchy combat and cool-looking, useful loot system

God of War Ragnarök

Release:2024-09-19
Genre:Action-adventure
Developer:SIE Santa Monica Studio

In God of War Ragnarök, the Norse mythos is in full swing, and Kratos returns with his signature axe, ready to face the end of the world. The relationship between Kratos and his son, Atreus, has deepened, with banter that feels like a grumpy dad and curious teenager road trip—except with frost giants, gods, and a whole lot of chaos. As the father-son duo navigate a world unraveling in the wake of Ragnarök, you’ll experience everything from intense, visceral battles to touching moments of familial growth.

The game masterfully blends storytelling with fast-paced action, creating a world that feels alive and dangerous. Each realm, from the icy landscapes of Midgard to the fire-laden fields of Muspelheim, is packed with secrets, puzzles, and enemies that push Kratos and Atreus to their limits. The fluid combat system is addictive, offering a satisfying mix of brutal axe throws, chain-whipping fury, and powerful runic attacks that make each fight a spectacle.

But it’s not just the epic fights that make Ragnarök special—it’s the emotional weight of a father and son battling not just enemies, but the expectations of destiny. Kratos’ evolution from ruthless god-slayer to protective dad is one of gaming’s best character arcs, and the journey through Ragnarök elevates it to a whole new level.

Key features
  • An epic storyline based on Norse mythology, full of gods, giants, and world-ending stakes
  • Dynamic combat system featuring Kratos’ Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos
  • Expansive realms to explore, each with unique enemies, puzzles, and treasures
  • A deeper, emotional bond between Kratos and Atreus, with story-driven gameplay

This concludes our list of God of War games. Although we tried to avoid heavy spoilers, we hope we gave you a good sense of what Kratos experienced in his long, violent life.

Playing all the games might not be tough without PlayStation Now or owning older PlayStations, but if you can get your hands on these titles, you’re in for many hours of solid hacking, slashing, and puzzle-solving. Some of these might feel old-school, but it’s a great kind of old-school.