The best God of War game is the 2018 reboot, simply titled God of War, which holds a 94 on Metacritic and reinvented the series. Its sequel God of War Ragnarök (2022) matches it at 94, while the Greek-era classics God of War II and God of War III lead the original saga. This ranking follows critical consensus across the series.
God of War has two distinct sagas — the brutal Greek action games and the more thoughtful Norse era — and both hit remarkable highs. Here is the full ranking by review scores.
94
God of War (2018), the series peak
94
Ragnarök, tied at the top
2005
The original that launched Kratos
2
Sagas — Greek myth & Norse myth
The best God of War games, ranked
The mainline series ranked by Metacritic and critical consensus.
#
Game
Year
Metacritic
1
God of War
2018
94
2
God of War Ragnarök
2022
94
3
God of War II
2007
93
4
God of War III
2010
92
5
God of War (original)
2005
91
6
Chains of Olympus
2008
87
7
Ghost of Sparta
2010
86
8
God of War: Ascension
2013
80
The top God of War games by Metacritic — the Norse saga leads at 94.
How we ranked them
This list follows critical consensus, led by Metacritic. The 2018 reboot and Ragnarök tie at 94 as the series’ high points, and we edge the 2018 game to the top for the sheer scale of its reinvention — new combat, a single-shot camera and a deeper story. The Greek trilogy is right behind: God of War II (93) and III (92) are action classics, with the 2005 original at 91. The PSP prequels and Ascension round out the list. We’ve focused on the mainline action games rather than the mobile spin-offs.
The two sagas are separate, so you can start with either.
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The best entry point
Start with God of War (2018) — it’s the best game, the most accessible, and the beginning of the Norse saga that continues in Ragnarök. If you want the original Greek story of Kratos, begin with God of War (2005) and play the trilogy in order.
Best God of War games FAQ
What is the best God of War game?
The 2018 God of War, which holds a 94 on Metacritic and reinvented the series. Its sequel Ragnarök matches it at 94, so the two Norse-era games are the clear high points.
Is God of War 2018 or Ragnarök better?
Critics score them level at 94. The 2018 game gets the edge for the scale of its reinvention; Ragnarök is bigger and more polished. Both are among the best games on PlayStation.
Which God of War should I play first?
God of War (2018) is the best starting point — it’s the highest-rated, most accessible, and opens the Norse saga. To follow Kratos from the beginning, start with the 2005 original and play the Greek trilogy in order.
Do I need to play the older God of War games first?
Not to enjoy the modern games. The 2018 God of War references Kratos’ past but works as a fresh start. Playing the Greek trilogy first adds depth to his character, but it isn’t required.
How many God of War games are there?
Eight main entries: the Greek saga (God of War, II, III, plus the PSP prequels and Ascension) and the Norse saga (God of War 2018 and Ragnarök). The Norse games are the highest-rated.
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