The God of War franchise is still going strong after two decades! These games are on every Sony console generation, including portable devices. Moreover, there are several successful remasters and compilations. Fans have followed Kratos' transition from Greek to Norse mythology because they can't get enough of him. Furthermore, most games have won widespread critical acclaim, garnering praise for their captivating characters created from mythological gods, innovative visuals, and gameplay mechanics. Nevertheless, they aren't all made equally. Therefore, here are the top ten God of War games ranked.

10. God Of War: Ascension

A younger Kratos is the star of God of War: Ascension, chronologically following the first God of War. This time, he tries to break free from his blood oath to Ares. The multiplayer function remains unique to this game in the series.

Although this PS3 exclusive is a fun addition to the franchise, fans weren't enthusiastic. The story is less compelling than in other games, while the controls remain nearly identical. Therefore, new players who want to focus on the game's main plot frequently skip it.

9. God Of War: Chains of Olympus

God of War: Chains of Olympus, the original handheld God of War game, is one of the best PSP titles. Players assume the role of Kratos in this prequel as they search for the Sun God Helios and run into his daughter in Elysium.

Despite the PSP's limited capabilities, the game holds its own against others in the franchise. This is the most popular God of War on portable consoles and the 7th highest-selling PSP game ever, with 3.2 million copies sold. As a fun spin-off, it cemented its place in video game history.

8. God Of War: Ghost of Sparta

Set amidst God of War and God of War 2, Ghost of Sparta features Kratos in Atlantis with his mother, who sends him on a mission. He aims to track down his long-lost brother and combat Thanatos, the God of Death. Yet, of course that things aren't that simple.

The game was well-received and regarded as having one of the PSP's best visuals. As one of the most disheartening moments in the franchise, Deimos' tragic death gave players a deeper understanding of Kratos' family history. Furthermore, the game improves everything about the original PSP entry and, unlike it, gives us terrific boss battles.

7. God Of War: Origins Collection

God of War: Origins is a game that offers a fresh perspective on the two PSP titles, Ghost of Sparta and Chains of Olympus. The game received PS3 remaster, with the addition of Stereoscopic 3D support, making the game more immersive than ever before. It's a fascinating experience for long-time fans of the series and newcomers who missed the original releases. 

The game includes many exciting features, including DualShock 3 support, trophies, and 3D effects. These additions make the game more engaging and provide a unique experience. The game's stunning visuals and detailed storyline make it a worthy addition to the God of War franchise.

6. God of War III

God of War III marked the series' triumphant return to the PlayStation 3 three years after the God of War II cliffhanger. With Kratos on a mission to find The Flame of Olympus and Pandora's Box on a quest to kill Zeus, this was the final game in the main series to emphasize Greek mythology.

Concerning graphics and boss battles, the game significantly improves on the previous two iterations. With 5.2 million copies sold, it is the ninth-best-selling game on the PlayStation 3. Additionally, in 2015, a well-liked remastered version was published for the PlayStation 4. Although it was supposed to be the series finale, the best was yet to come.

5. God Of War

This is how the brutality started, way back in 2005. The ultimate hack-and-slash hero Kratos, his Blades of Chaos, and their bloody work are introduced here. The game's plot centers on Kratos, a Spartan soldier, as he pursues Ares to exact revenge for tricking him into killing his family and causing him to become the God of War.

The game made a violent entrance with exhilarating combo-based combat, puzzles, and various enemies and bosses. Many consider it one of the all-time greatest games, as it won numerous "Game of the Year" Awards. One game, though, might disagree with that.

4. God of War: Ragnarok

Following up God of War, one of the best PlayStation 4 games, was challenging for Ragnarok. Regardless, in many respects, it is successful. Better graphics, more varied action, and a broader storyline are all in God of War: Ragnarok. Thus, it's a real showcase for PS5.

However, Ragnarok lacks the creativity and mysticism that made God of War a once-in-a-generation joy, and the shadow of that game hangs over it heavily. Ultimately, you should still play God of War: Ragnarok, as it's among the best PS5 games. However, be aware that it might engross you less than the previous entry did.

3. God of War II

After replacing Ares as the God of War in the previous game, Kratos is betrayed by Zeus and cast into the underworld. Until the realization that he is Zeus's son, his quest for vengeance appeared almost finished.

Building the first game was challenging, but the God of War II almost pulled off the unthinkable and exceeded expectations. A battle against Zeus, one of God of War's most formidable bosses, concludes the game. This element added more magic elements that helped to scale up the action scenes. The game's cliffhanger ending is one of the most talked-about aspects, though.

2. God of War Collection

PlayStation 2 God of War games are absolute classics, as their gameplay won't ever become dated. However, we are thankful that both are remastered for PS3. Luckily, the developers Bluepoint Games knew how to handle them. Of course, the focus was on visual improvements. Therefore, both titles now work in 720p resolution, making the graphics cleaner. Even better, the frame rate is now rock solid at 60 fps, even in God of War 2. That's a considerable improvement over the PS2 release, which often drops to around 40.

Thankfully, the team kept everything else and even included the bonus material found on the PS2 God of War 2 release. Unfortunately, the original cutscenes are the same, so they look dated. Note that while Collection is also available on PS Vita, it suffers from slowdowns and other issues. Although it's still highly playable, the PS3 version easily overshadows it.

1. God of War

In 2018, God of War was released on PlayStation 4, bringing a fresh perspective. After recently losing his wife and being forced to raise his son alone, Kratos is now trying to live a peaceful life. Most fans found God of War 3 a satisfying conclusion to the plot. Thus, this reboot about Kratos and his relationship with his son seemed like a gamble. Equally risky was shifting the emphasis to Norse Mythology and changing the overall tone and gaming mechanics.

Yet, the game is a masterpiece, and these risks paid off. The title rekindled the love for the franchise while introducing a whole new generation of fans with stunning visuals and massive action sequences. Furthermore, it had the most moving storyline to date. With over 20 million units sold, this is the most successful PS4 title. Hence, The God of War, Kratos, might also be the God of PlayStation.

God of War is among the longest-running video game franchises. The epic tale of a furious Spartan hacking and slashing his way through the ancient Greek gods and monsters was first published in 2005 by Santa Monica Studio. Over the years, the series has provided players with an abundance of hack-and-slash thrills, most of which are of exceptionally high quality. Each installment retains a strong sense of passion, perhaps because it doesn't release annually like some other long-running series.

What's your favorite God of War game? Have you played the latest sequel, God of War: Ragnarok?

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