God of War Trilogy Order Guide – GameWilds

If you’re eyeing Kratos’s Greek-era saga, you’ll want the classic trilogy in the right order with the best versions. You’ll weigh release order versus lore chronology, consider where prequels fit, and decide which remasters are worth it on modern consoles. We’ll clarify the trilogy, list the games in both orders, and break down editions like the PS3 Collection and PS4 Remaster—so you can start strong and avoid missteps before your first blade swings.

What Is the God of War Trilogy?

You’re looking at the original Greek-era trilogy: God of War (2005), God of War II (2007), and God of War III (2010). You’ll see Kratos’s arc run straight through these three games, with remasters bundling them for modern play. You shouldn’t count the Norse saga—2018 and Ragnarök—as part of the trilogy, though it builds on this foundation.

Which Games Are in the God of War Trilogy?

Start with the core: the God of War Trilogy means the original Greek-era mainline games—God of War (2005), God of War II (2007), and God of War III (2010). If you’re building a god of war trilogy games list, that’s it. Follow the god of war trilogy release order to avoid spoilers; it’s also the practical god of war trilogy order. You can play via the God of War Collection (I & II on PS3/Vita) and God of War III Remastered on PS4—your modern god of war trilogy remastered edition path.

Entry	Platform at Launch	Key Arc Beat
God of War (2005)	PS2	Kratos defies Ares
God of War II (2007)	PS2	Betrayal by Zeus
God of War III (2010)	PS3	Olympus falls

Bluepoint handled the Collection; Santa Monica led development.

Is the Norse Saga Part of the Trilogy?

With the Greek-era trio defined, the Norse games—God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök—aren’t part of that trilogy. You’ll see them positioned as a separate norse saga that continues Kratos’s story but resets the setting, tone, and combat. In the series timeline, the greek saga covers God of War (2005), II, and III, with PSP entries and Ascension expanding that arc; the norse saga follows years later.

God of War Trilogy Release Order

You’ll want to play the trilogy in release order to avoid spoilers and track Kratos’s escalating war. Start with God of War (2005), continue with God of War 2 (2007), and finish with God of War 3 (2010). This sequence matches how the saga originally unfolded on PS2 and PS3.

God of War (2005)

A thunderbolt introduction to the trilogy, God of War (2005) hit PS2 on March 22, 2005, establishing Kratos as a Spartan turned divine weapon on Athena’s orders to slay Ares using Pandora’s Box. In god of war (2005), you witness Kratos origin through brutal set pieces, wield the Blades of Chaos, and unravel his tragic past—manipulated by Ares into killing his family. The fixed-camera, combo-heavy combat blends with puzzle-platforming and towering boss fights to define the series’ DNA. As you fight toward Pandora’s Box, momentum builds to Kratos defeating Ares and ascending as the new God of War, setting a vengeance-and-fate arc for the trilogy. Prefer modern play? Grab the God of War Collection on PS3 for 1080p/60 FPS remaster fidelity.

God of War 2 (2007)

Fresh off ascension in God of War (2005), Kratos’s reign shatters as Zeus betrays, kills him, and rips away his godhood. In God of War II 2007, you pick up immediately after, driving Kratos through the Greek-era trilogy’s pivotal middle chapter. Resurrected by Gaia, you ally with the Titan and hunt the Gaia Sisters of Fate to rewrite destiny and strike back at Zeus.

God of War 2 expands scale and spectacle: colossal set pieces, sharper puzzle-platforming, and new weapons and magic layered onto the series’ ferocious hack-and-slash core. Released March 13, 2007 on PlayStation 2, it’s the definitive escalation of stakes and systems. Later, Bluepoint remastered it for PS3 in the God of War Collection, bundling it with the original for smoother performance and modern play.

God of War 3 (2010)

Storm Olympus in God of War III (2010), the trilogy’s thunderous finale that launches straight into Kratos’s Titan-backed assault against the gods. You pick up moments after God of War II, riding Gaia as Titans and Olympus collide. As Kratos, you carve through gods and monsters with the Blades of Exile, swap between four distinct weapons, and unleash unique magic while cinematic camera shifts amplify every set piece.

Released March 16, 2010 on PS3, god of war 3 runs at 720p/30FPS and showcases monumental battles against Poseidon and Hades before the inevitable Kratos vs Zeus showdown. After betrayals by both gods and Titans, Kratos seemingly sacrifices himself, releasing Hope to humanity. For the sharpest experience, play God of War III Remastered on PS4 at 1080p/60FPS with all DLC.

God of War Trilogy Chronological Order

You’ll want to start with Ascension to set the prequel timeline, then place the PSP entries where they actually occur. Chains of Olympus fits before the original God of War, while Ghost of Sparta slips between God of War and God of War II. From there, you follow the Greek saga through II and finish with III.

Ascension and Prequel Timeline

Although Ascension arrived late in 2013, it sits first in the God of War timeline, months after Kratos breaks his oath to Ares and before he’s entangled with Olympus. In god of war ascension, you follow a strict prequel timeline that anchors the god of war chronology: ascension release 2013 on PS3, then Chains of Olympus, then the original PS2 era. As the earliest chapter in the playstation god of war trilogy’s expanded scope, Ascension tracks Kratos’s torture by the Furies—especially Megaera—and his escape as he seeks freedom from Ares’ blood oath.

Ascension also debuted the series’ only online multiplayer. If you want the in-universe order, start here. Still, many recommend playing later releases first, since Ascension assumes you already know core characters and themes.

Greek Saga Story Order Explained

With Ascension placing Kratos at the very start, the Greek saga’s chronological order lays out a clear path from oathbreaker to Olympus’s scourge. To follow the god of war trilogy chronological order, begin with God of War: Ascension, where you see Kratos defy Ares and confront the Furies. Continue the god of war trilogy story order with Chains of Olympus, charting his decade of servitude as he rescues Helios and clashes with Persephone. Next, play the original God of War, pursuing Pandora’s Box and claiming the mantle of God of War. Then move to Ghost of Sparta, revealing family scars. Finish the god of war trilogy timeline with God of War II and God of War III, culminating in Kratos’s war against Zeus—signature chapters in the god of war trilogy greek saga, often bundled in a god of war trilogy collection.

Where Ghost of Sparta and Chains of Olympus Fit

Start by slotting the PSP entries around Kratos’s earliest and earliest major conquests: Chains of Olympus comes right after Ascension and before the 2005 God of War, covering his decade of servitude and clashes with Helios and Persephone; Ghost of Sparta lands next, set after the original God of War but before God of War II, delving into his family past with Deimos and Thanatos. You’ll get tighter character context if you follow the chronological path, then jump into the numbered entries.

1. Ascension → Chains of Olympus → God of War (2005) → Ghost of Sparta → God of War II
2. Prioritize Chains for early servitude lore; play Ghost to bridge to II.
3. Seek the Origins Collection or any god of war trilogy remaster on PS platforms.
4. Availability varies across god of war trilogy ps5, god of war trilogy ps4, and potential god of war trilogy pc solutions.

God of War Trilogy Remasters and Collections

You’ll likely start with the God of War Collection on PS3 (and Vita) to experience the first two games in crisp 1080p with trophies. Then you can jump to God of War III Remastered on PS4 for 60FPS, photo mode, and bundled DLC. If you’re a subscriber, check PlayStation Plus to see which versions are currently included and streamable.

God of War Collection

A remastered gateway to Kratos’s Greek saga, the God of War Collection hit PS3 on November 17, 2009, bundling the original God of War (2005) and God of War II (2007) in crisp 1080p at 60 FPS with Trophy support. You get the definitive PS2 classics enhanced by Bluepoint Games, delivering sharper visuals, fluid combat, and modern quality-of-life features without altering core design. It’s the cleanest way to experience the opening acts before diving deeper into the Greek era.

Here’s what you should know:

1. Visual/performance: full 1080p at 60 FPS elevates combat readability and responsiveness.
2. Trophies: a fresh progression layer for veterans and newcomers.
3. Preservation: faithful remasters retain mechanics, story, and pacing.
4. Placement: ideal starting point before Origins Collection expands the backstory.

God of War 3 Remastered

Roar back into Olympus with God of War III Remastered, the PS4 upgrade of Kratos’s 2010 climax that sharpens the spectacle to 1080p and targets a steady 60 FPS. You’ll feel the boost immediately: cleaner textures, steadier performance, and those colossal set pieces playing out with modern crispness.

This remaster bundles all PS3 DLC and adds a flexible photo mode, so you can pause the carnage, tweak filters, and frame those titan-scaled moments. It’s the same cinematic finale—just presented with greater clarity and consistency.

Wholesale Algorithms handled the PS4 port, not Bluepoint Games. Sony positioned this release as part of its broader effort to preserve the Greek-era trilogy on newer hardware, and this entry nails the goal: faithful gameplay, improved fidelity, and a smooth route to Kratos’s mythic crescendo.

PlayStation Plus Availability

With God of War III Remastered setting the bar on PS4, the next question is how to access the wider trilogy through PlayStation Plus. You can’t count on permanent catalog placement. The PS3-era God of War Collection and Origins Collection have popped in and out as monthly freebies or discounts, but availability shifts by region and time. God of War (2005), God of War II, and God of War III Remastered have all appeared before, yet none stay locked into the Game Catalog.

Here’s how to track access efficiently:

1) Check the monthly free games and Game Catalog rotations.

2) Read regional storefront notes; lineups vary.

3) Prioritize PS4/PS5-native entries: God of War (2018) and Ragnarök when promoted.

4) Don’t expect PSP-era titles—Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta rarely surface.

Best Way to Play the God of War Trilogy Today

You’ll want to know your best PS5/PS4 paths first—Collection on PS3 via backward options is limited, but GoW III Remastered on PS4/PS5 and 2018/PC ports cover modern performance. You can’t play the full Greek trilogy on PC, though God of War (2018) is available there. If you care about extras, consider collector’s editions for statues, art books, and codes, but note they don’t usually include all legacy titles.

PS5 and PS4 Options

Although the series spans old hardware, the simplest way to play the original God of War trilogy on modern consoles is on PS4 and PS5 via the remasters: grab the God of War Collection for the first two PS2 games in 1080p/60 with trophies, then play God of War III Remastered at 1080p/60 with all DLC and photo mode. On PS5, you’ll buy the PS4 versions digitally or find bundled physical editions; backward compatibility delivers faster loads and steadier performance.

1. Prioritize release order: God of War (2005), God of War II, then God of War III Remastered.
2. Choose digital for convenience, or physical bundles if you prefer discs.
3. Expect cleaner visuals, higher framerate, and trophy support across the trilogy.
4. If you want definitive remakes, consider waiting for the announced God of War Trilogy Remake.

Is the God of War Trilogy on PC?

So, is the God of War trilogy on PC? Partly. As of 2024, the Norse-era games—God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök—have native PC versions on Steam with robust graphics settings. They’re the best way to play Kratos’s modern saga on a computer.

The original Greek-era trilogy—God of War (2005), God of War II, and God of War III—still isn’t on PC natively. God of War III Remastered exists on PS4, and Sony has reissued collections on PlayStation, but there’s no legal, complete PC package for the PS2/PS3 trilogy. To experience those on a PC, you’d need console hardware plus Remote Play or a cloud-streaming option.

If you own a PlayStation, use the PS4 remasters. Otherwise, watch for the announced trilogy remake’s future plans.

Collector’s Editions Explained

For most collectors, the smartest path today blends availability with future-proofing. You’ll want playable editions now, plus room for the upcoming God of War Trilogy Remake announced in February 2026. Until that lands, stick to proven remasters with quality extras.

1. Prioritize value: seek editions bundling artbooks, soundtracks, and standout replicas (Blades of Chaos). These hold display and resale value while preserving the games.
2. Core PS3 sets: the God of War Collection gives you I & II remastered at 1080p/60FPS with trophies; pair it with Origins Collection for Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta at 1080p/60FPS.
3. Modern centerpiece: grab God of War III Remastered on PS4—1080p/60FPS, Photo Mode, and all DLC—ideally as a physical disc.
4. Bridge to now: complement physical remasters with digital 2018 and Ragnarok on PS5/Steam, then upgrade to the Trilogy Remake when released.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Correct Order to Play God of War?

Play in release order: 2005, II, Chains of Olympus, III, Ghost of Sparta, Ascension, 2018, Ragnarök. Prefer accessibility? Start with 2018, then Ragnarök. Want timeline? Ascension → Chains → 2005 → Ghost → II → III → 2018 → Ragnarök.

What Is the God of War Trilogy?

It’s the original Greek-era trio: you play God of War (2005), God of War II (2007), and God of War III (2010). You follow Kratos’s brutal rise, vengeance against Olympus, and climactic finale, often via PS3/PS4 remasters.

Is God of War 2005 and 2018 the Same?

No, they aren’t the same. You’re looking at two distinct games: 2005’s Greek-era PS2 action with fixed camera and Blades of Chaos, and 2018’s Norse-era reboot on PS4 with over-the-shoulder camera, Leviathan Axe, and Atreus.

Is It Necessary to Play God of War in Order?

No, you don’t have to. You can start with God of War (2018) and enjoy it standalone. If you want full story continuity, follow Ascension → Chains → GoW (2005) → Ghost → II → III → 2018 → Ragnarök.

Conclusion

You’ve got a clear path to relive Kratos’s Greek saga. Start with the original trilogy in release order for the intended, spoiler-safe arc, then explore prequels if you want deeper lore. Use the PS3 God of War Collection for I & II and God of War III Remastered on PS4 for the sharpest, smoothest experience with trophies. However you tackle it, you’ll witness Kratos’s brutal rise, tragic choices, and cathartic finale exactly as the series meant you to.