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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Video game

God of War

God of War is a video game franchise from Sony’s PlayStation brand that began in 2005.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

God of War is a video game franchise from Sony’s PlayStation brand that began in 2005. It follows Kratos, a Spartan warrior who becomes entangled with Greek mythology in the early games and later Norse mythology in the modern-era entries.

Premise

The franchise follows Kratos, beginning with his conflict against the Greek gods and later continuing with his journey through the Norse realms. The series began with *God of War* in 2005 on PlayStation 2. Kratos is the franchise’s central protagonist, a Spartan warrior who becomes the God of War. The modern-era games focus on Kratos and Atreus and are more character-driven than the early entries.

Development and release history

Sony and Santa Monica Studio launched the series in 2005 and have expanded it across multiple console generations and other platforms. The first release was *God of War* (2005). The latest main game is *God of War Ragnarök* (2022), and a recent side game is *God of War: Sons of Sparta* (2026). The franchise includes both mainline entries and spin-offs across several PlayStation generations.

Gameplay and style

The games are third-person action-adventure titles with combat, platforming, and puzzle elements. The series is known for cinematic presentation and large-scale mythological enemies, including action-adventure gameplay and mythological boss battles.

Recent entries

*God of War* (2018) reintroduced the series with an older Kratos and his son Atreus. *God of War Ragnarök* was released in 2022 and continues the story of Kratos and Atreus. PlayStation also lists *God of War: Sons of Sparta* as a 2026 side-scroller origin story.

Key facts

  • The series began with *God of War* in 2005 on PlayStation 2.
  • The original games are rooted in Greek mythology, while later entries shift to Norse mythology.
  • Kratos is the franchise’s central protagonist, a Spartan warrior who becomes the God of War.
  • *God of War* (2018) reintroduced the series with an older Kratos and his son Atreus.
  • The franchise includes multiple mainline and spin-off games across several PlayStation generations.
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Canadian context

The franchise is widely available through PlayStation and PC platforms used by Canadian players, and it is part of the broader global video game market familiar to Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is God of War about?
It is about Kratos, a Spartan warrior whose story begins with vengeance against the Greek gods and later continues in Norse mythology with his son Atreus.
How many God of War games are there?
The franchise includes eight single-player-only games and two games with multiplayer, according to Wikipedia’s franchise entry.
Who is Kratos?
Kratos is the series’ main protagonist, a Spartan warrior who becomes the God of War and is central to both the Greek-era and Norse-era stories.
Is God of War on PC?
Yes. The 2018 *God of War* was released on PC via Steam in 2022.
What is the newest God of War game?
PlayStation lists *God of War: Sons of Sparta* as the most recent series game, released in 2026.
Is God of War Ragnarok out?
Yes. *God of War Ragnarök* was released in 2022.

References

  1. PlayStation — https://www.playstation.com/en-us/god-of-war/
    Supports: Series history; latest listed releases; Ragnarök description.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_of_War_(franchise)
    Supports: Franchise scope; number of games; Greek and Norse era overview.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/God-of-War
    Supports: Original 2005 game premise; Kratos background; action-adventure framing.
  4. PlayStation — https://www.playstation.com/en-us/god-of-war/
    Supports: God of War Ragnarök and God of War: Sons of Sparta listing.
  5. Steam — https://store.steampowered.com/app/1593500/God_of_War/
    Supports: PC release of God of War (2018).