The Sweeping Saga of Time: Decoding the God of War Timeline
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The God of War franchise, a sprawling epic steeped in mythology and brimming with action, spans a significant amount of time, both in terms of its internal narrative and its real-world release history. Chronologically, from the earliest game events to the most recent, the God of War timeline encompasses well over a millennium, largely due to Kratos’s incredible lifespan and the shifting of mythologies he inhabits. This stretches from events depicted in God of War: Ascension to those in God of War Ragnarök. However, precisely pinpointing an exact number of years is challenging due to ambiguities within the lore, but the total passage of time from Kratos’s early life in Sparta to the events of Ragnarök is safely within the range of over 1050 years.
Unraveling the Chronological Threads
The key to understanding the God of War timeline lies in piecing together events across the various games, comics, and supplementary materials. Here’s a breakdown of the major eras and their approximate durations:
-
The Greek Saga: This encompasses God of War: Ascension through God of War III. The core events of Kratos’s rise and fall in Greece, including his servitude to Ares, the death of his family, and his eventual godhood, likely take place over a period of around 13-15 years. God of War 2 is said to happen 13 years after the original. Given Kratos’s established age of over 1000 years by the time of the Norse saga, these events constitute a relatively short period of his overall existence.
-
The Silent Centuries: After the cataclysmic events of God of War III, Kratos spends a significant amount of time wandering the earth. He eventually makes his way to Midgard and establishes a new life. This period is largely undocumented but is heavily implied to have lasted for close to a millennium. This is a crucial time for Kratos, as he begins to confront his past and suppress his rage. The article mentioned: Time heals all wounds, but even after 1,000+ years, he’s still obviously in a mental conflict with his past…
-
The Norse Saga: This includes God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök. The events of these games take place over approximately three years, with Fimbulwinter lasting the entire period between the two titles. This marks a period of significant growth and change for both Kratos and Atreus as they navigate the complexities of Norse mythology and the impending Ragnarök.
Therefore, the total span, conservatively estimated, is at least 1050 years, from his early life to the events of Ragnarök. He was 30 during the time of the first God of War game. This estimate doesn’t account for any potential time travel shenanigans or other temporal anomalies that might exist within the lore. The richness of these narratives can be further explored through resources such as the Games Learning Society website, which delves into the educational aspects of games. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the God of War timeline:
How much time has passed between God of War (2018) and Ragnarök?
The game God of War Ragnarök is set three years after the events of the previous game, God of War (2018). This is due to the Fimbulwinter, a great winter that lasts three years, signaling the coming of Ragnarök.
How long was God of War (2005)?
The story of the original God of War (2005) takes around 9 hours to complete. This provides players with the context of how Kratos achieved his godhood.
How much time passed between God of War (2005) and God of War II?
God of War II takes place 13 years after the events of the original God of War. During this time, Kratos sits on Ares’s throne, and continues to try and conquer Greece, which is resented by the other gods.
What is the chronological order of the God of War games?
The God of War timeline, in order of continuity, is as follows:
- God of War: Ascension (PS3)
- God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP, PS3 Remastered)
- God of War (PS2, PS3 Remastered)
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP, PS3 Remastered)
- God of War: Betrayal (Mobile side scroller)
- God of War II (PS2, PS3 Remastered)
- God of War III (PS3, PS4 Remastered)
- God of War (2018) (PS4, PC)
- God of War Ragnarök (PS5, PS4)
How old is Kratos chronologically?
Based on the game’s lore, Kratos is estimated to be over 1000 years old by the start of God of War (2018). This is calculated based on the estimated dates of the Greek era and the significant gap between the Greek and Norse sagas.
Is Kratos a real God?
In Greek mythology, Kratos (also known as Cratus or Cratos) is the divine personification of strength. He is the son of Pallas and Styx. The Kratos in the games is a fictionalized version of this mythological figure, imbued with a rich backstory and character arc.
How many years passed between God of War (2005) and God of War III?
There are at least 13 years between God of War (2005) and God of War II. The game is stated to happen 13 years after the original, as shown above. There is no exact number of years provided for God of War III.
Is Kratos weaker in God of War (2018)?
While Kratos may seem weaker in God of War (2018), this is largely an effect of the new graphics and the change in gameplay. Narratively, Kratos has not necessarily lost power, but rather, he is choosing to control his rage and fight more strategically.
How many years between God of War III and God of War (2018)?
The exact number of years is not explicitly stated in the game, but it is heavily implied to be over 1000 years. This long period explains the significant changes in Kratos’s demeanor and physical appearance.
How tall is Kratos?
In God of War Ragnarök, Kratos is exactly six feet and four inches tall (or about 1.93 meters). This information was revealed in a technical breakdown video from Santa Monica Studio.
How long is God of War Ragnarök?
The length of God of War Ragnarök varies depending on the play style:
- Main story only: 25-30 hours
- Standard playthrough: 30-35 hours
- 100% completion: 55-60+ hours
How old is Atreus?
At the beginning of God of War Ragnarök, Atreus is approximately 14 years old. This is based on the timeline of Fimbulwinter, which lasts for three years leading up to Ragnarök.
Is Kratos older than Odin?
In the context of the game’s lore, Odin is far older than Kratos. Odin was born during the time of Ymir, before the creation of the world. Odin is not a god in the Greek pantheon.
Why is Kratos called God of War?
The name “God of War” was chosen almost arbitrarily. The developers couldn’t decide on a name, so they put them into a hat and drew one out at random.
Why is Kratos evil?
As the series progressed in the Greek Era, Kratos became more villainous due to his undying bloodlust, vengeful behavior, and nearly uncontrollable rage. He was driven by trauma and the manipulations of the gods.
In summary, the God of War timeline spans well over a millennium, encompassing Kratos’s tumultuous journey through Greek and Norse mythology. The narrative depth, character development, and immersive world-building contribute to the enduring appeal of this iconic franchise.