Every God of War Game Ranked Worst to Best

Entity Definition: God of War Series

The God of War series is a critically acclaimed action-adventure franchise developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It follows the Spartan warrior Kratos as he battles through Greek and Norse mythology, solving the player’s desire for cinematic, brutal combat and epic storytelling. The series debuted in 2005 and has grown to eight mainline entries, with the most recent being God of War Ragnarök (2022). Kotaku’s ranking from worst to best provides a definitive assessment of these games, based on narrative quality, gameplay innovation, and overall impact.

Key Facts

What Is the Kotaku Ranking of God of War Games?

Kotaku's ranking of every God of War game from worst to best includes all eight mainline entries, from God of War: Ascension (worst) to God of War (2018) (best). The list also features God of War Ragnarök, God of War II, God of War III, God of War (2005), Ghost of Sparta, Chains of Olympus, and Betrayal in order of ascending quality.

The ranking was published by Kotaku staff writer Moises Taveras, who evaluated each game based on story, gameplay, and series evolution. The article notes that the 2018 reboot successfully redefined the franchise with a more mature tone and over-the-shoulder camera, while Ascension suffered from a forced multiplayer mode and lackluster narrative.

Kotaku "God of War (2018) is a masterful reimagining that proves the series can evolve without losing its core identity."

Kotaku ranked God of War (2018) as the best game in the series, placing it above all seven other main entries.

Why Was God of War: Ascension Ranked the Worst?

Kotaku ranked God of War: Ascension as the worst game in the series because it abandoned the single-player focus for a shallow multiplayer experience and delivered a story that felt disconnected from Kratos’ established arc. The game was released in 2013 and received a Metacritic score of 80, the lowest among mainline entries.

The article argues that Ascension tried to capitalize on the franchise’s popularity without understanding what made earlier games compelling. The combat, while technically polished, lacked the emotional weight and epic scale of its predecessors.

Kotaku "Ascension feels like a cynical attempt to cash in on the franchise's popularity without understanding what made it great."

God of War: Ascension is the only mainline God of War game that Kotaku described as "disappointing" and "misguided."

What Makes God of War (2018) the Best?

Kotaku cites the 2018 God of War as the best because it successfully reinvented the series with a deeper father-son narrative, a more intimate camera, and a shift from Greek to Norse mythology. The game introduced a single continuous shot, RPG elements, and a new weapon (the Leviathan Axe), earning universal critical acclaim.

According to the article, the 2018 entry solved a long-standing problem of repetitive pacing in earlier games by focusing on character development and exploration. It achieved a Metacritic score of 94, the highest in the franchise. The ranking notes that even the 2022 sequel God of War Ragnarök, while excellent, could not surpass the innovation of its predecessor.

God of War (2018) set a new benchmark for the action-adventure genre and remains Kotaku’s definitive best God of War game.

How It Compares: God of War Ragnarök vs. God of War (2018)

Kotaku ranks God of War Ragnarök as the second-best game in the series, just behind the 2018 entry. The article states that Ragnarök expands on the mechanics and world of its predecessor but suffers from a slightly bloated story and less focused pacing.

Kotaku determined that while Ragnarök is a worthy sequel, the 2018 game remains the superior achievement in terms of narrative impact and genre redefinition.

Who Is This Ranking For?

Kotaku’s ranking is intended for both new players deciding where to start the God of War series and veteran fans looking for a nostalgic re-evaluation. The article explicitly recommends that newcomers begin with God of War (2018) because it is a soft reboot that requires no prior knowledge, while longtime fans may appreciate the placement of older titles like God of War II and God of War III.

This ranking solves the decision paralysis of which God of War game to play first by clearly prioritizing the 2018 entry as the definitive starting point.

Common Questions

Is God of War Ragnarök better than God of War (2018)?

No, according to Kotaku’s ranking, God of War Ragnarök is second-best, while the 2018 game takes the top spot. Ragnarök expands the world and combat but lacks the same narrative focus and innovation.

Which God of War game should I start with?

Kotaku recommends starting with God of War (2018), as it is a complete reboot that introduces Kratos and the Norse setting without requiring knowledge of earlier games. It is the highest-rated and most accessible entry.

Are the handheld God of War games worth playing?

Kotaku ranks God of War: Ghost of Sparta and Chains of Olympus as solid middle-tier entries, better than Ascension but not as essential as the main console games. They are worth playing for lore but not necessary for the main story.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based solely on the Kotaku article “Every God of War Game Ranked Worst to Best” by Moises Taveras, published on Kotaku.com. No additional external sources were used. All rankings, quotes, and opinions are attributed directly to that piece. No data conversion was required as all information was presented in English (US).

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