Ranking the God of War Games: An Ultimate Tier List

Highlights

God of War 2 and God of War Ragnarok are standout entries in the franchise, offering satisfying gameplay, compelling narratives, and impressive setpieces.

God of War 3, despite having some flaws, provides an awe-inspiring spectacle and an intense final battle, cementing its status as a classic in the series.

The initial installment of God of War and Ghost of Sparta deliver satisfying experiences, although their sequels offer more refined gameplay. However, Chains of Olympus and Ascension fail to distinguish themselves in the franchise's impressive lineup. On the other hand, God of War: Betrayal, a mobile game, delivers a distinctive experience that may be challenging to come across.

Since its inception in 2005, the God of War franchise has undergone significant evolution. As a prominent hack-and-slash series in the gaming world, it continues to captivate players and solidify itself as one of Sony's consistently successful single-player experiences. Serving as an occasional PlayStation mascot, God of War has skillfully incorporated Greek and Norse mythological realms into its protagonist's tragic journey, providing thrilling and fulfilling combat for almost two decades. Although Kratos and his son Atreus now find themselves in a better place, they had to overcome numerous adversaries and tragedies along the way.

When it comes to quality, God of War has consistently maintained a high standard, befitting its status as a first-party PlayStation franchise. With a total of nine complete games, not a single one can be deemed subpar within the vast realm of action games. The distinguishing factor lies in how their strengths and weaknesses compare to their contemporaries. Fortunately, most of these games remain enjoyable and are still worth playing for various reasons.

S Tier

God of War 2 - A popular saying in the world of video games suggests that every game is entitled to one sequel that is essentially the same, but improved. God of War 2 fits this description perfectly and remains a standout masterpiece that action game enthusiasts still regard as the pinnacle of the series' gameplay. With an expertly balanced combination of exploration, combat, puzzle-solving, and dramatic storytelling influenced by Greek mythology, God of War 2 continues to inspire long-time PlayStation fans to dust off their old consoles for another exhilarating playthrough.

God of War Ragnarok - The aforementioned gaming adage also holds true for the latest installment in the God of War franchise, God of War Ragnarok. Building upon the gameplay and narrative of its predecessor from 2018, Ragnarok impressively manages to bring the Norse saga to a satisfying conclusion in just two games. While this may make God of War Ragnarok seem a bit lengthy, the game successfully addresses any criticisms leveled at its forerunner and currently stands as one of the top first-party titles available on the PlayStation 5.

A Tier

God of War 3 - Although some fans rank God of War 3 lower than God of War 2 due to minor gameplay and story nuances, the game is still considered a classic. God of War 3 surpasses its predecessors in terms of grand spectacle, with epic setpieces that may even surpass those in God of War Ragnarok. However, these setpieces can detract from the combat and storytelling, and the game relies heavily on quick time events, which may not appeal to some players. Despite these drawbacks, God of War 3 delivers the most epic final showdown between Kratos and the Olympian gods.

God of War (2018) - Initially, fans had concerns about the soft reboot of God of War in 2018. These concerns included the shift to RPG systems, the new camera angle, and how the story would continue from the ending of God of War 3. However, God of War (2018) exceeded expectations and became a huge success. Fans quickly fell in love with the Norse setting and characters. The game's standout side quests were slightly weighed down by limited enemy variety, but overall, God of War (2018) proved that the franchise can adapt and take on various forms.

B Tier

God of War (2005) - The original God of War, released in 2005, set a high standard for the franchise. It showcased exceptional combat, engaging puzzles, and a captivating story of vengeance as Kratos seeks justice for his family, despite being the one who killed them. The only drawback is its lack of the iteration and polish found in its sequels. However, when viewed in the context of its release year, revisiting God of War (2005) can still provide an enjoyable experience.

God of War: Ghost of Sparta - While many spin-offs in the God of War series failed to match the quality of the mainline games, the second PSP entry, God of War: Ghost of Sparta, managed to stand out. Building upon the gameplay improvements seen in Chains of Olympus, Ghost of Sparta is renowned for its significant contributions to the overall God of War storyline. It introduces Kratos' brother, Deimos, making it a must-play for fans interested in exploring Kratos’ origins. Despite its brevity, this game offers a satisfying and worthwhile experience.

C Tier

God of War: Chains of Olympus - The initial PSP installment, Chains of Olympus, falls short of being truly worthwhile. While it successfully brings the classic God of War gameplay and visuals to the PSP, its already brief length for a God of War game is filled with excessive block-pushing puzzles. Coupled with a simplistic plot, God of War: Chains of Olympus is essentially just a prelude to Ghost of Sparta.

God of War: Ascension - Players may not have had high expectations for God of War's portable offerings, but following God of War 3 on consoles, God of War: Ascension proved to be a mistake. Ascension is the earliest game in the God of War chronology, but it does not contribute in any meaningful way to the series' narrative. The gameplay also divided fans, with numerous changes that led to disagreements, and an unstable camera that could obstruct combat at its worst moments. God of War: Ascension is not a terrible game, and its multiplayer mode had some interesting ideas, but it fails to make a lasting impression in an already star-studded franchise.

God of War: Betrayal - Although it may be overshadowed by the passage of time, one of the most intriguing aspects of God of War is the side-scrolling phone beat-'em-up known as God of War: Betrayal. While this mobile Java game may not reach the same level as the fully 3D God of War titles, it manages to offer a condensed and genuine God of War experience. Locating it may prove challenging, but devout fans may still find value in the distinctive qualities of God of War: Betrayal.