Spanning four console generations since 2005, the God of War series has been a mainstay for Sony, with epic emotional storylines, addictive combat and, of course, Kratos being one of the most recognizable characters in gaming history. From its early days as a hack-and-slasher to more recent story-driven RPG style, here's a look at every God of War entry in chronological order.
God of War: Ascension (2013)
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If you're looking to start Kratos' story as soon as possible, this is it. Ascension gives us our first glimpse of Kratos six months after the tragic events that began his journey. In the game, you'll fight your way through three furies that imprison you after Kratos breaks his blood oath to Ares, plus you'll hear the first whispers that define the plot of the series' first main game.
God of War : Chains of Olympus (2008)
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Set during Kratos' 10 years of service to the gods of Olympus, you'll find yourself on a quest in a land of darkness after mysterious events cause the sun god to disappear. During gameplay, you'll rub shoulders with some of the most famous Olympian gods like Athena, Persephone, and Atlas, while receiving nuggets of information about Kratos' story and character.
God of War (2005)
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The game that started it all. Teased in The Ascension, the plot finds Kratos tasked by Athena with finding Pandora's Box in order to prevent Ares' plot to overthrow Zeus. This classic adventure will have you weaving your way through a landmark reel of Greek mythology, plunging you into memorable battles against gods and monsters in the depths and peaks of awe-inspiring Mount Olympus itself.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010)
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Among the family dramas and revelations that add to the overall story, Ghost of Sparta finds Kratos on his throne as the new god of war. Still haunted by his past, Kratos will find himself on an epic search from Atlantis to Sparta and beyond for his brother Deimos, who was taken by Ares as a child. Praised for the story and cinematography, this game is a must-have for die-hard fans looking to delve deeper into the series' story.
Related: What Is The God Of War Ragnarok Release Date?
God of War II (2007)
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Considered by many to be one of the best games and sequels of all time, this installment in the franchise finds Kratos as a rabid god of war who abuses his power. Zeus intervenes and kills Kratos, sending him to the underworld on a sprawling revenge tour to defy fate and the gods.
God of War III (2010)
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A direct sequel to its predecessor, this story finds Kratos continuing his assault on Olympus to kill Zeus. This epic was initially known to be the series finale, which would ultimately see Kratos attempt to find some semblance of redemption after destroying everything in his path while seeking revenge.
God of War (2018)
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After an 8-year hiatus, the GOW franchise returned with original series director Cory Barlog on a high note, culminating in well-deserved Game of the Year honors from numerous award shows and outlets. majors. The story moves from a Greek mythological backdrop to that of Norse mythology, finding a scarred and bearded Kratos fighting alongside his son Loki on a journey to scatter his mother's ashes. The game moves away from previous entries in gameplay and favors RPG elements mixed with more strategic combat in tandem with an engaging and emotional story.
GOW (2018) reignited passion for the franchise, which will continue in 2022 with the release of the highly anticipated sequel God of War: Ragnarok.
For more on the God of War series, check out Is God of War Ragnarok the series finale? or When is God of War coming to PC? and stay tuned to Pro Game Guides for continued coverage of all your favorite games!
