Play Every God of War Game on PS5: The Complete Guide

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

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From the blood-soaked rage of the Ghost of Sparta to the weary wisdom of a father in Midgard, Kratos's saga is one of the most iconic in all of gaming. With the power of the PlayStation 5, it's now possible to experience his entire tragic and epic journey on a single console. Whether you're a newcomer ready to face the gods or a veteran looking to relive the carnage, this is your definitive roadmap.

Navigating Kratos's history isn't as simple as downloading every entry from the PlayStation Store. While the modern masterpieces are native to the hardware, the classic tales of Greek vengeance are locked away in the cloud. This authoritative guide breaks down exactly how to play every mainline God of War game on your PS5, clarifying what you can buy, what's on PlayStation Plus, and what requires streaming.

The Norse Saga: Native PS4 & PS5 Masterpieces

The most recent and technically impressive chapters of Kratos's life are the easiest to access on your PS5, showcasing a profound evolution in gameplay, storytelling, and character development.

• God of War Ragnarök (2022): The stunning conclusion to the Norse storyline is a native PS5 title, built to leverage the console's full potential. It boasts breathtaking 4K visuals, immersive DualSense haptic feedback, and a variety of performance modes to suit your preference. The experience was later expanded with Valhalla, a phenomenal and completely free roguelite DLC that serves as a reflective and deeply satisfying epilogue. Both the base game and its DLC are essential PS5 experiences available for direct purchase.
• God of War (2018): This landmark soft reboot is a PS4 title fully playable on PS5 via backward compatibility. More importantly, it received a free next-gen performance patch, allowing it to run at a silky-smooth 60 frames per second in checkerboard 4K resolution. While it was once a pillar of the now-discontinued PS Plus Collection, God of War (2018) is now a staple of the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, making it available to Extra and Premium tier subscribers. It can also be purchased directly from the PlayStation Store.

The Greek Finale: Download and Play

Before Kratos battled Norse gods, he famously concluded his war against the Olympians in one of the most spectacular finales of a generation.

• God of War III Remastered: Originally a PS3 powerhouse, this definitive version was remastered for the PS4 and is the only classic Greek-era game you can download and play natively on your PS5 via backward compatibility. Running at 1080p and 60 FPS, the game’s incredible sense of scale and visceral, combo-driven combat still feel fantastic today. It's a brutal and unforgettable reminder of Kratos's unbridled rage and is available for direct purchase on the PlayStation Store.

Into the Cloud: Streaming the Classics with PlayStation Plus Premium

To witness the beginning of Kratos’s story, you must subscribe to PlayStation Plus Premium. This top tier grants access to the Classics Catalog, which includes a library of PS2, PSP, and PS3 games available exclusively through cloud streaming. This is currently the only official way to play these foundational titles on a PS5.

Be aware: performance is entirely dependent on your internet speed and stability. For a smooth experience, a wired ethernet connection is strongly recommended.

The following games, all based on their PS3 HD remastered versions, are available to stream:

• God of War HD (2005): The original PS2 classic that started a legend.
• God of War II HD (2007): The critically-acclaimed sequel that perfected the original's formula.
• God of War: Ascension (2013): The PS3 prequel that explored Kratos's life immediately after Ares's betrayal.
• God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008): The first PSP prequel, telling a story set before the original game.
• God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010): The second PSP title, delving into the personal story of Kratos's long-lost brother, Deimos.

Your Complete God of War PS5 Checklist

Here is the entire mainline saga and the definitive method for playing each game on your PlayStation 5 today.

• Direct Purchase / Native Download:
  • God of War (2018) - Also available in the PS Plus Game Catalog
  • God of War Ragnarök (and its free Valhalla DLC)
  • God of War III Remastered
• PlayStation Plus Premium (Cloud Streaming Only):
  • God of War HD (PS2 original)
  • God of War II HD (PS2 original)
  • God of War: Ascension (PS3 original)
  • God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP original)
  • God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP original)

With this blend of native installs and cloud streaming, Kratos's entire chronological and release history is at your fingertips, offering a complete journey through the life of one of gaming's most enduring and complex anti-heroes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I play the original God of War trilogy on PS5 without streaming?

A: Only partially. God of War III Remastered is a PS4 title that can be downloaded and played directly on PS5. However, the original God of War and God of War II are only available on PS5 via cloud streaming through a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription.

Q: Is a full remaster of the Greek saga coming to PS5?

A: While rumors and fan demand for a modern remake or remaster of the original Greek-era games are persistent, Sony and Santa Monica Studio have made no official announcements. As of now, streaming the PS3 HD versions is the only way to play them on PS5.

Q: How can I play the PSP God of War games on PS5?

A: Both God of War: Chains of Olympus and God of War: Ghost of Sparta are playable on PS5. They are included in the Classics Catalog as part of the PlayStation Plus Premium subscription tier and must be played via cloud streaming.

Q: Do I need to pay for the God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla DLC?

A: No. The Valhalla DLC is a completely free update for everyone who owns God of War Ragnarök on either PS4 or PS5. You can download it directly from the PlayStation Store at no additional cost.