God of War Platinum (PS2)

The game loads in around fifteen to twenty seconds from inserting the disk, revealing a striking main menu (the head of the main character, Cratos, sillouhetted against an inferno). Select new game and the game starts instantly- no loads and a minimal intro, just straight into the action. In the game itself there are almost no load screens to be seen: when loading a saved game you'll see one for up to seven to ten seconds, and occasionally in-game the word `loading' will appear for about half a second and then vanish. This alone is phenemonal, and whilst it doesn't seem like much the lack of loading times adds immesurably to the hook of the game.

Graphically God of War is second to none- easily as good as many of the best X-Box games, but using half of their memory capacity (I think) and no hard disk! the graphics are deep, textured and smoothly animated. The game often features fully animated backgrounds- some of the most impressive being war-torn Athens, or the constantly shifting sands of the desert levels. There is no frame-rate drop that I have seen, having almost completed the game on a second run-through. The characters and monsters are all detailed and lifelike in a stylised way. The stylisation works well and isn't cartoon-like at all. A vast array of seamless combat animations proliferate the game: once you become used to the combinations that Cratos can execute it's nigh impossible to see a join. The bosses in the game are of astounding size, each requiring a good combination of strategy, skill and reflexes to defeat. Needless to say the graphics are no less stunning. Cut scenes integrate perfectly into the gameplay and provide an interesting, exciting storyline steeped in pathos, hubris and tragedy worthy of the myths that inspired the game.

The game plays like a dream. It follows a similar framework to titles like Devil May Cry (especially), Rygar and Prince of Persia. Fight monsters, collect energy orbs to power-up, explore ornate labyrinthine levels and solve puzzles. To describe it this way does God of War no justice: the game grabs you by the throat as soon as you face the first group of undead soldiers in the Aegean sea and does not let go. The game delivers a tremendous adrenaline rush and huge sense of satisfaction: every time you get killed or stuck you back again, and again if necessary, and work out where you went wrong- just as it begins to get frustrating you've worked it out and get to the next stage. The sheer volume of playtesting evident in God of War is enormous- every action, every puzzle, every fight are perfectly balanced in every way.

Some may see the life-span of the game as a little short: it will take 9 to 12 hours to complete initially (saved time only). The replay value is great if you love this style of game- there are also a large amount of unlockables in the game worth hunting for. Most interesting is the documentary on the 3-year development of GoW- not locked when you first run the game.

As has been well advertised GoW has an `18' certificate and arguably deserves it: it features a storyline immersed in `mature' themes, has copious amounts of violence and gore, and features minor amounts of nudity and sex. The violence issue is questionable: Mark of Kri was easily as violent a game featuring decapitations, amputations and impalement regularly, but unlike GoW all of it's violence takes place against normal(ish) humans (and zombies). It's worth emphasising that the plot is actually worthy of an `18' rating, but not due to the explotiative elements: it is genuinely engaging, thought-provoking and interesting. Unusually for a video-game Cratos is a true anti-hero, and is striving to be something other than the monster he is: this in itself perpetuates his personal hell, of course. The game is immersed in the feel and style of the Greek myths- updated and changed for a new audience, and for a video game.

A superb game that may have been a little short if purchased at the original price (but still worth that, I think): at around £15 it is superb value for money. Avoid like the plague if you dislike extremely brutal combat and gouts of red pixels, if you are offended by digital nipples and if you don't like action adventures. Otherwise you won't go wrong with this legend of a game: absolutely outstanding.


BY FAR THE BEST PS2 GAME AROUND   July 1, 2006
JIM (UK)
12 out of 14 found this review helpful

I am certainly not the best at writing reviews but I just had to give it a shot with this game. With being a fan of Mythology (Sinbad,Jason and the Arganauts etc) I just had to get this game, and boy it was the best thing I have done for a long time. I have had my playstation for what seems a hell of a long time and have had many, many games and not one of them touches this. The graphics, sound, and playability are all superb! The adventure is non stop and you never no what is going to happen next. All in all I will stop mumbling on just get this game NOW and you will no what I mean, anyone who gives this game less than 5 stars needs to be shot.


Good at 1st   March 17, 2006
Diamond Downes (Ipswich, UK)
8 out of 14 found this review helpful

I found God Of War good at first but became abit "shallow" the 2nd time around. The most "stand out moment" was the start of the game.
grapics: 10
Gameplay: 5
Sounds: 10
Overall: 8
Buy it for a cheap price at least


Oh My God   July 27, 2007
A. Leach (UK)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I've never bothered to write a review before. What's the point, when other people have already done it for you. However, I am so gobsmacked by God Of War that I simply have to tell as many people as possible. It is quite simply the best game I've ever played. The graphics are unsurpassed on the PS2. Some rooms/scenes only require you to be there for a few seconds, yet the attention to detail is amazing. I find myself returning to places even though I've no real reason to be there - I'm just admiring the graphics.

And it's not just the visuals. The sound also really adds to the experience. Sometimes minimalist, sometimes creepy, sometimes full-on thumping soundtrack. In all scenarios the designers have got it spot on.

Finally, the gameplay. There's plenty of adrenalin-pumping fighting, but this game has so much more. It's not just about button-bashing. You actually have to use your brain too - both when fighting your enemies and when trying to figure out how to overcome one of the many problems/obstacles you encounter.

Not many games grab my attention like this one has. As I've grown older, got married, etc I've found less and less time to fire-up my PS2. However, as I approach the end of God Of War, I find myself wanting to stay up all night. Even once I've completed it, this is a game I will return to again and again. But wait, what's this....God Of War 2 is now available. Damn, looks like I'm in for plenty more late nights.



A great game.   July 19, 2006
S. BUTTON (UK)
7 out of 12 found this review helpful

This game is brilliant and certainly shows what the PS2 is capable of a dying breed of action game that must be played at least once by everyone and at the price it is who is going to argue oh and to the reviewer going on about geeky types who buy games for the stories why don't you go back to playing GTA you mindless couch potato!!