It's hard to deny the massive effect the God of War franchise has had on the gaming landscape. Kratos' initial Greek-inspired revenge story was one of the best PS2 games of all time, while his powerful redemption arc in the more recent Norse soft reboot earned first place on our list of best PS4 games. I'd go so far as to say Kratos is one of PlayStation's most recognizable mascots.
If you're looking to catch up on all of the adventures Kratos has taken, or simply want to revisit the God of War games you loved in the past, you'll be able to play most of them on your current-gen PlayStation 5. Here's what you need to know.
How Many God of War Games Are There on PlayStation 5?
God of War: Ragnarok is the only game in the series that has launched during the PS5 generation. However, there are a total of six God of War games available to play on the current-gen console. This includes all six mainline entries in the series, which span from God of War (2005) to God of War Ragnarok (2022). Two of those games relies on backward compatibility, while three of the earlier titles require a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription.
The two God of War spin-offs on PSP, Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta, are not currently available on PS5. Here's to hoping that Sony will eventually add these two well-received portable games to PlayStation Plus.
Every God of War Game on PlayStation 5 in Release Order
God of War III Remastered (2010)
- See on Amazon (PS4)
God of War III Remastered serves up visual and performance improvements to the third mainline game, which also serves as the final entry in Kratos' Greek saga. In it, Kratos climbs Mount Olympus as he seeks to reach its zenith and bring his full might down upon the gods who wronged him. This provides a satisfying end to his original character arc that began with God of War (2005), making it essential for truly understanding the emotional stakes of 2018's soft reboot.
God of War (2018)
- See on Amazon (PS4)
God of War (2018) gives one of its most aggressive and venegeful characters in gaming a true redemption arc as well as an all-new combat system. In this wildly successful and emotionally potent soft reboot, Kratos has left the Greek pantheon and traveled to the Norse realm where he's now tasked with raising his young son, Atreus, while attempting to hide his past. But as the duo fight through a harsh and unforgiving land, Kratos is forced to face the truth that there remain parts of his nature he can't surpress if he wishes to protect those he loves most.
God of War Ragnarok (2022)
- See on Amazon (PS5)
Picking up about three years after God of War (2018), God of War Ragnarok sees Kratos and Atreus forced to take on the Norse pantheon in an attempt to stop the complete destruction of the nine realms. Ragnarok's story continues to deal with larger themes of familial trauma and identity as Kratos comes to terms with his son becoming a young man while also trying to figure out what's next in his own journey for true redemption. This entry features a larger world to explore and more combat options, as well as many more characters used to fill out a more expansive narrative.
Available God of War Games on PlayStation Plus Premium
The remainder of the God of War games require you to have a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. Here are the games you can only play if you've signed up for PlayStation Plus Premium:
- God of War HD (2005)
- God of War II HD (2007)
- God of War: Ascension (2013)
Upcoming God of War Games
No new games in the God of War franchise have been announced since God of War Ragnarok's unexpected Valhalla DLC in 2023. However, rumors have circulated about both a 2D metroidvania spin-off set in the Greek era, while the next mainline entry could potentially take place in ancient Egypt. Until developer Santa Monica Studio makes a formal announcement, though, it's best to take it all with a grain of salt. Otherwise, the God of War franchise is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with a new limited edition PS5 controller.
Billy Givens is a freelancer at IGN with over a decade of experience writing gaming, film, and tech content. His work can also be found on GameSpot, USA Today, Digital Trends, Tom's Guide, and more. You'll find him blabbering on about video games and more on Twitter at @mektige.