God of War Franchise Explained – From Olympus to Ragnarök, The Full Journey of Kratos

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Ever played a hack-and-slash game? I’m pretty sure if you’re into action titles, you’ve heard of God of War. Even if you haven’t played it, that name has probably popped up more than once—Santa Monica Studio and Sony made sure of that.

Now let’s be honest: the moment you see Kratos, with those chained Blades of Chaos, covered in ash, and that ever-burning rage in his eyes—you know you’re in for something brutal. The first God of War, released back in 2005, technically comes third in the story timeline, but it was the one that hooked players instantly. Why? Simple. It wasn’t just about fighting monsters; it was about vengeance, pain, and raw power.

The game didn’t waste time making Kratos look like your average hero. Nope. It turned him into something else entirely—a God Slayer. And later games proved that title wasn’t just for show. He literally takes down Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. That kind of twist? It shook players, and it also cemented Kratos as one of the most iconic characters in gaming history.


Kratos: From Spartan Warrior to the Destroyer of Olympus

The journey didn’t stop with just one game. Oh no, it escalated. God of War II (2007) and God of War III (2010) amped up everything—story, gameplay, bosses, everything. In the second game, Zeus betrays Kratos, sparking a new rage inside him. Fueled by betrayal, Kratos teams up with the Titans in God of War III and begins an all-out war against Olympus itself.

And trust me, it’s not just mindless destruction. Each step forward reveals more about Kratos’s tortured past, the weight of his choices, and the curse of the very power he sought. It’s tragic, it’s cinematic, and it’s savage.

There were also handheld titles—Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta—which filled in key gaps in his story, showing a more vulnerable side of Kratos. But by the end of God of War III, he’d wiped out nearly the entire Greek pantheon, leaving the world in chaos… and himself seemingly dead.


Prequel Stories—Ascension and Forgotten Mobile Gems

While the main trilogy and Norse saga dominate the spotlight, God of War: Ascension (2013) deserves credit for diving deep into Kratos's early days—before he became the Ghost of Sparta. It’s a prequel that explores his emotional turmoil and his initial rebellion against Ares after breaking his blood oath.

Gameplay-wise, Ascension refined the classic God of War formula with better visuals, new combat mechanics (like the Rage meter and time manipulation), and, for the first time in the series, multiplayer. That’s right—players could enter the battlefield as champions of different gods, fighting in brutal arena-style modes. It wasn’t perfect, but it was bold and experimental, pushing the boundaries of what a God of War game could be.

Then, there are the Java/mobile titles—a hidden chapter for many players.

  • God of War: Betrayal (2007), released on Java-based mobile phones, is the only 2D side-scrolling God of War game and a rare one to be canon in the timeline.

  • The story takes place between Ghost of Sparta and God of War II, where Kratos is framed for the murder of an Olympian. Despite platform limitations, it managed to carry the God of War essence with gritty storytelling and meaningful lore.

As a gamer like me, who doesn’t care much about the graphics or visual style and is mostly drawn to the story, these often-overlooked titles—like God of War: Betrayal, Ascension, and the PSP entries—are incredibly important. They make the entire franchise's chronological journey feel more complete and logical. You understand why Kratos is the way he is and how every step—from a Spartan commander to a god-killer—is deeply connected.


A New Era – God of War (2018)

Just when we thought it was over, Kratos returned—changed, older, quieter, and now a father again.

God of War (2018) didn’t just reboot the franchise—it transformed it. Set in the cold, harsh world of Norse mythology, this wasn’t the same Kratos. He’d buried his past, tried to leave the violence behind, and was raising his son, Atreus. The combat shifted from a fixed-camera hack-and-slash to a more grounded, over-the-shoulder action system. And instead of yelling and chaos, we got something more... intimate.

This was a story about growth, about learning to be better—not just as a fighter, but as a father.

But of course, nothing stays peaceful for long. Kratos and Atreus find themselves entangled with gods of the Norse realm—Baldur, Freya, Thor, and eventually, Odin himself.


God of War Ragnarök – The Inevitable Clash

In Ragnarök (2022), everything explodes again—emotionally and literally. The father-son bond is tested as Atreus begins to explore his identity as Loki, while Kratos struggles between protecting his son and preventing the world-ending war that’s been prophesied.

This entry combines all the best parts of the franchise: brutal combat, jaw-dropping visuals, incredible music, and emotional storytelling. It’s a love letter to fans—both old and new.

By the end, Ragnarök doesn’t just give closure to the Norse saga—it also shows us how far Kratos has come. From a rage-fueled killer of gods to a man trying to build a legacy not of blood, but of meaning.


A Deep Reflection: Greek Era vs Norse Era

As the new Norse era might seem fun and fresh, it doesn’t have what the Greek mythology era had—the gore, the violence, the raw hack and slash, the mythical locations dripping with chaos, and a storyline fueled by pure vengeance.

The Norse saga is a more human journey, about love for his wife and his child, Loki. But the Greek mythology games? They told the tale of a bloodthirsty father and broken husband who crossed oceans, climbed mountains, and returned from death—just to seek revenge. Even though he knew his daughter wouldn’t return, he kept slaying, kept going, until he finally slashed Zeus with the Blade of Olympus.

And in the end, when nothing was left and grief consumed him for accidentally killing his daughter, Kratos sacrificed himself—not out of despair, but to find peace. That kind of story isn’t just powerful—it’s timeless.

Image reflecting how Kratos evolved.
source: Pinterest

Chronological Order of the Entire God of War Saga

  1. God of War: Ascension

  2. God of War: Chains of Olympus

  3. God of War (2005)

  4. God of War: Ghost of Sparta

  5. God of War: Betrayal (Java Mobile)

  6. God of War II

  7. God of War III

  8. God of War (2018)

  9. God of War Ragnarök


Final Thoughts—A Franchise That Grew With Its Fans

What makes God of War special isn’t just the mythology or the epic boss battles—it’s the growth. Kratos grew. We grew with him. From a rage-fueled god killer to a man who just wants peace for his son.

Very few franchises age with the player. God of War did that—and more. It became a part of us.

Whether you're in it for the blades or the lore, one thing is clear:

This isn't just a video game franchise. It's a modern myth.

Location: 7MVQV2Q9+3W

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