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When is the next God of War game coming out?
As of October 13, 2026, PlayStation’s current US God of War overview lists God of War Sons of Sparta as released on February 12, 2026, and announces God of War Laufey for February 16, 2027 on PS5. So Sons of Sparta is the latest released title listed, while Laufey is the next upcoming chapter in that listing. The date and platform are announced details and may change; check PlayStation’s current listing for updates.
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That distinction matters if you search for “the next God of War.” The most recently released game and the next announced chapter are not the same title. Sons of Sparta is a Greek-rooted prequel about young Kratos, while Laufey shifts the playable focus to Faye. This guide’s recommended order is for understanding the Norse story and preparing for the announced Faye-led chapter, not a checklist of every release.
PlayStation describes Laufey as the next chapter of the saga and says it introduces a new playable protagonist for the first time in the franchise’s history. That protagonist is Faye, also known as Laufey. The game follows her after her death, shifting the focus away from Kratos as the playable lead. Final technical requirements, editions and regional availability are not established in the current announcement, so don’t assume the US PS5 listing answers those questions for every market.
#1 Best Overall
- Feel your journey through the Norse realms, made possible by immersive haptic feedback and adaptive trigger functionality.
- Take advantage of multidirectional 3D Audio; hear enemies approaching from any direction. (3D audio with stereo headphones (analog or USB))
- Bask in the beautiful worlds you travel through, brought to life by precise art direction and arresting attention to detail.
- Switch between full 4K resolution at a targeted 30 frames per second, or dynamic resolution upscaled to 4K at a targeted 60fps. (4K resolution requires a compatible 4K TV or display)
What order should I play God of War in?
For the modern Norse storyline, follow this order:
- God of War (2018): Kratos and his son Atreus begin their journey in the Norse world.
- God of War Ragnarök (2022): Continue the father-and-son story. The game was released November 9, 2022.
- God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (optional): Play this free, reflective, roguelite-inspired DLC after completing Ragnarök. It follows Kratos after the main game.
This is a practical story order, not a publisher-declared mandatory sequence. PlayStation’s official Ragnarök page presents the game as a continuation of the 2018 story, and its FAQ recommends moving into Valhalla after completing the game. For the upcoming Faye-led story, these two Norse games are the clearest preparation: they establish who Faye is to Kratos and Atreus and provide the immediate family context. PlayStation has not said that any particular older entry is required before Laufey.
Think of the sequence as a way to follow character relationships rather than a test you have to pass. The 2018 game establishes the Norse setting and the father-and-son relationship at the center of the modern arc; Ragnarök carries that story forward. Valhalla is a further chapter for Kratos after the sequel, but it is downloadable content rather than another mainline game you need to complete before moving on.
Where does Sons of Sparta fit?
God of War Sons of Sparta is a Greek-rooted, side-scrolling prequel about a young Kratos. It returns to the franchise’s earlier setting and protagonist, rather than continuing the Norse father-and-son plot. It may interest players who want more of Kratos’s Greek-era background, but it is not a substitute for the 2018 game and Ragnarök if your goal is to follow their Norse story. Its prequel framing and side-scrolling format also make it a different kind of entry from the modern action-adventure games.
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The series began with God of War on PS2 in 2005 and includes Greek-era main entries and portable games such as God of War II, Chains of Olympus, God of War III, Ghost of Sparta and Ascension. That history explains Kratos’s past, but the 2018 game is the point where the franchise shifts to the Norse setting and introduces Atreus as his son. You can start there without playing every earlier installment.
There is no single useful total for “all the God of War games” unless you define what counts: main entries, portable games, downloadable content, spin-offs and announced games produce different counts, and listings vary by region. It is more helpful to choose based on story continuity, protagonist and format than to treat the franchise as one required checklist.
Rank #2
If you are deciding whether to go back, ask what you want from the series. For the Norse arc, start in 2018. For more context about Kratos’s Greek-era history, the older entries and Sons of Sparta are relevant. The current announcement for Laufey does not establish that any of them is a prerequisite, so playing them is a personal interest choice rather than a confirmed requirement.
Do I need to play God of War (2018) before Ragnarök?
It is strongly recommended if you want the story and character relationships to land as intended. Ragnarök follows Kratos and Atreus after the events of the 2018 game; starting with the sequel means meeting them after their relationship and circumstances have already developed. You can still choose to begin with Ragnarök, but the first game supplies the context that makes the sequel’s family story meaningful.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallIf you’re short on time, prioritize the 2018 main story rather than trying to complete every side activity. PlayStation’s series FAQ gives an estimate of around 20–25 hours for the main story and around 40–50 hours for a completionist run. Those are publisher estimates, not guaranteed playtimes; your pace and how much optional content you pursue will affect the total. In other words, a main-story run is a manageable way to catch up, while a completionist run is a substantially larger commitment.
How long does Ragnarök take, and what is Valhalla?
PlayStation estimates up to 40 hours for Ragnarök’s main story and selected side quests, and 55–60 hours to see everything. These are estimates from PlayStation’s FAQ, whose publication year is not stated there; they are not completion guarantees. The publisher advises players to enjoy the games at their own pace. The estimate for the main story includes selected side quests, so it is not a promise that every optional activity fits within that time.
Valhalla is an add-on, not a separate mainline sequel. Its roguelite-inspired structure gives Kratos a more introspective journey after Ragnarök. It is optional for understanding the main Norse arc, but it is a natural follow-up if you want additional story and gameplay after the credits. PlayStation’s official page also describes New Game+, which lets players replay the story with additional gameplay options and progression paths, an expanded Niflheim Arena, adjusted enemies and a black-and-white render mode.
Rank #3
- Those who break fate: Atreus seeks knowledge to help him understand the prophecy of "Loki" and what role he is to play in Ragnarök. Kratos must decide whether he will be chained by the fear of repeating his mistakes or break free of his past to be the father Atreus needs.
- Weapons of war : The Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos and Guardian Shield return alongside a host of new abilities for both Kratos and Atreus. As they take on gods and monsters from across the Nine Realms, Kratos's deadly Spartan skills will be tested like never before as he fights to protect his family.
- Explore the realms :Journey to dangerous and stunning landscapes and face a wide variety of enemy creatures, monsters and Norse gods as Kratos and Atreus search for answers and allies.
- Please note that this item is not for sale to people under the age of 18. By placing an order for this product, you declare that you are 18 years of age or older. This item must be used responsibly and appropriately.
New Game+ is another way to revisit Ragnarök, not a replacement for Valhalla. PlayStation’s page says players can start a New Game+ save after completing the game and experience the story again with more gameplay options available from the start. It also calls out progression paths, an expanded Niflheim Arena, enemy adjustments and a black-and-white render mode. These features are for players who want another run; they are not necessary to finish the main story once.
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Which games can I play on my platform?
PlayStation’s current US overview lists God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök for PS4, PS5 and PC. For PC, it names Steam and the Epic Games Store. Older entries span PS2, PS3 and PSP, so their availability and compatibility depend on your region and device; check your local storefront and hardware before buying. Do not assume that an older title will run on a current device just because it is part of the same series.
The PlayStation series FAQ says Valhalla is available through PlayStation Store to PS4 and PS5 owners and is included with the PC purchase of Ragnarök. Storefront terms can vary by region, so confirm the details for your account and edition. The upcoming Laufey listing currently names PS5; do not infer other platform versions or final edition details from that announcement.
If you prefer a physical copy, God of War Ragnarök for PS5 or PS4 is the purchase most directly tied to the recommended order. The physical PS4 edition of God of War (2018) is another possible starting point. Check the platform and exact current listing before buying; availability, editions and prices can change, and no current price is established here. You do not need a specialized peripheral, repair product or subscription to follow the story order described here.
Compare the routes at a glance
The titles differ along four useful axes: continuity, protagonist, format and platform. Use those differences to decide what to play rather than assuming that every release is one uninterrupted main story.
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| Route or title | Continuity and protagonist | Format | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| God of War (2018) → God of War Ragnarök | The modern Norse arc with Kratos and Atreus. | Mainline action-adventure games. | The clearest route through the father-and-son story and the most relevant context for the announced Faye-led chapter. |
| Valhalla | Kratos after the events of Ragnarök. | Optional, free DLC with a roguelite-inspired journey. | Choose it for more time with Kratos after the main sequel, not because it is required to understand the main arc. |
| Greek-era entries, including Sons of Sparta | Kratos in the franchise’s Greek-rooted history; Sons of Sparta follows a young Kratos. | Older entries span console and portable releases; Sons of Sparta is a side-scrolling prequel. | Choose this route for historical background or a different format, not as a required lead-in to the Norse games. |
| Laufey (announced) | Faye, also known as Laufey, is the new playable protagonist in the current announcement. | Announced for PS5 in PlayStation’s US listing. | To prepare, prioritize the Norse arc; no specific older-game prerequisite has been announced. |
In practical terms, if you have a PS4, PS5 or PC, the current overview lists both modern Norse games on those platforms. The same overview currently lists Laufey for PS5, but that does not establish its final technical requirements or regional availability. For older releases, confirm compatibility individually rather than assuming the modern games’ platform support applies to the whole back catalogue.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources and current-status note
Release and platform details above reflect PlayStation’s US series overview as of October 13, 2026. Announced plans can change, and regional listings may differ. For current status, consult PlayStation’s God of War overview, its Ragnarök page and the series FAQ. PlayStation’s current US overview is the basis for the release status used here; older cached pages may predate newer titles, and a different regional listing may count or display games differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next God of War game coming out?
PlayStation’s current US series listing dates God of War Laufey for February 16, 2027 on PS5. The date and platform are announced details and may change, so check the current listing near release. Sons of Sparta, dated February 12, 2026 on that listing, is already released.
What order should I play God of War in?
For the Norse story, play God of War (2018), then God of War Ragnarök (released November 9, 2022). Add the free Valhalla DLC afterward if you want its optional post-story journey.
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Do I need to play God of War (2018) before Ragnarök?
It is strongly recommended for the context around Kratos and Atreus and the events that shape their relationship. You can begin with Ragnarök, but the 2018 game is the first part of their modern Norse story.
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Do I need to play the Greek-era games before the Norse games or Laufey?
No specific older-game prerequisite has been announced. The Greek-era entries provide background on Kratos, but the 2018 game begins the modern Norse story and is the clearest place to start for that arc.
Is Valhalla free, and when should I play it?
Play it after completing Ragnarök if you want more story and gameplay with Kratos. PlayStation says it is free DLC available to PS4 and PS5 owners through PlayStation Store, and included with the PC purchase; check your regional store for the terms that apply to you.
How long do the Norse games take?
PlayStation estimates around 20–25 hours for the main story of God of War (2018), and around 40–50 hours for a completionist run. For Ragnarök, it estimates up to 40 hours for the main story and selected side quests, and 55–60 hours to see everything. These are estimates, not guarantees.
Can I play the 2018 game and Ragnarök on PC?
PlayStation’s current US overview lists both for PC as well as PS4 and PS5; for PC, it names Steam and the Epic Games Store. Check the applicable regional store listing for current purchase details.
The Bottom Line
For the Norse story, start with God of War (2018), continue with Ragnarök, and treat Valhalla as optional. You can skip the Greek-era catalogue unless you want more background on Kratos. As of October 13, 2026, PlayStation lists Sons of Sparta as released and Laufey as the next announced chapter, currently dated February 16, 2027 for PS5; recheck the official listing for changes.
Quick Recap
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