Do You Have to Play God of War Games in Order?
As one of the most successful and beloved action-adventure game franchises of all time, God of War has a rich and complex mythology that spans multiple games, comic books, and other media. With so many releases over the years, you might wonder: do I have to play the previous God of War games to fully appreciate the latest titles? In this article, we’ll explore the answer and provide a guide to help you navigate the God of War universe.
Is God of War a Direct Sequel?
For the most part, no, God of War is not a direct sequel. Each game has its own unique story, and although some characters and events overlap, they can be enjoyed independently. However, understanding the general lore and background of the series is crucial to appreciating the games’ complexities and storylines.
Contents
- 1 Critical Moments to Understand Before Playing God of War
- 2 The New GOD of War: A New Beginning
- 3 Essential Reading: The Key to Understanding the Series** While not required, getting familiar with the original comics, novels, and bonus content can provide valuable background information and add depth to your understanding of the franchise. Here are some crucial resources to help you flesh out your God of War knowledge: • **Comics:** “God of War” (2003) by Mark Simonich and “God of War: The Art of God of War” (2007) by Todd MacFarlane and Greg Thompson • **Novel:** “God of War: Ascension” by George Georgiou (2008) • **bonus content:** Collectible Comics, “The Art of God of War” DLC, and various bonus DLC packs Check out the 50 Cheapest Guns NowYour Guide to God of War Games in Chronological Order
Critical Moments to Understand Before Playing God of War
While God of War is not strictly a direct sequel, certain events and storylines that unfold throughout the series significantly impact the characters and events of later games. Therefore, it’s essential to be aware of these crucial moments before diving into your first God of War title. Here’s a breakdown of the most significant events you should know before playing the series:
Event/Storyline | Game/Cutscene |
---|---|
Olympian Gods vs. Zeus | God of War (2005) |
Greek Mythology reimagined | God of War (2005), God of War II (2007) |
Kratos’ Quest for Olympus | God of War (2005), God of War II (2007), God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2008) |
Demise of the Olympian Gods | God of War III (2010), God of War: The Last of the Ancients (2013) |
The New GOD of War: A New Beginning
In 2018, Sony Santa Monica Studio rebooted the franchise with a new, soft reimagining of the series. This game, simply titled God of War, brings a fresh start to Kratos’ journey, dropping the Greek mythological elements and introducing Norse mythology instead. While this title is not directly connected to the previous games, you’ll still encounter nods and references to the original stories.
Essential Reading: The Key to Understanding the Series**While not required, getting familiar with the original comics, novels, and bonus content can provide valuable background information and add depth to your understanding of the franchise. Here are some crucial resources to help you flesh out your God of War knowledge:
• **Comics:** “God of War” (2003) by Mark Simonich and “God of War: The Art of God of War” (2007) by Todd MacFarlane and Greg Thompson
• **Novel:** “God of War: Ascension” by George Georgiou (2008)
• **bonus content:** Collectible Comics, “The Art of God of War” DLC, and various bonus DLC packs
Your Guide to God of War Games in Chronological Order
| Game | Release Year |
| — | — |
| God of War | 2005 |
| God of War II | 2007 |
| God of War: Ghost of Sparta | 2008 |
| God of War: Chains of Olympus | 2008 |
| God of War III | 2010 |
| God of War: Origins Collection | 2011 (Compilation) |
| God of War: Ascension | 2013 |
| God of War: The Last of the Ancients | 2013 ( DLC) |
| God of War (2018) | 2018 |
Frequently Asked Questions**
* **Is God of War: Betrayal considered part of the main series?**
+ **No**: God of War: Betrayal is a midquel, exploring events during God of War (2005), and can be skipped without losing crucial knowledge.
* **Can I play God of War with minimal knowledge of the original series?**
+ **Yes**: While background knowledge is recommended, playing God of War (2005) first is not necessary to understand the plot of the subsequent games. **However**, some cutscenes and dialogue may still reference events and characters not explicitly explained.
Conclusion: Your Approach to God of War Games**
While understanding the mythology and story of God of War is important, playing the games in order is not strictly necessary. Start with the original God of War (2005), or jump directly into the 2018 reboot to experience the series anew. Either way, being aware of the critical moments and understanding the general lore will ensure a richer gaming experience and help you fully appreciate the God of War universe.
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• **Novel:** “God of War: Ascension” by George Georgiou (2008)
• **bonus content:** Collectible Comics, “The Art of God of War” DLC, and various bonus DLC packs
| — | — |
| God of War | 2005 |
| God of War II | 2007 |
| God of War: Ghost of Sparta | 2008 |
| God of War: Chains of Olympus | 2008 |
| God of War III | 2010 |
| God of War: Origins Collection | 2011 (Compilation) |
| God of War: Ascension | 2013 |
| God of War: The Last of the Ancients | 2013 ( DLC) |
| God of War (2018) | 2018 |
+ **No**: God of War: Betrayal is a midquel, exploring events during God of War (2005), and can be skipped without losing crucial knowledge.
* **Can I play God of War with minimal knowledge of the original series?**
+ **Yes**: While background knowledge is recommended, playing God of War (2005) first is not necessary to understand the plot of the subsequent games. **However**, some cutscenes and dialogue may still reference events and characters not explicitly explained.