The Collegian

Issue date: 4/1/05 Section: No Limits

Reading a killing strike, Kratos battles a massive cyclops. This is an example of a context-sensitive attack where the player must hit the corresponding button when prompted on screen.

Kratos takes on one of the mighty Hydra´s three heads. This is another example of a context-sensitive moment where the player must rapidly press a button to avoid being bitten.

The "God of War" experience is best described by a simple, three-letter word- wow; from the opening cinema to the ending credits, the game never ceases to amaze. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) for the Playstation 2, "God of War" immediately ranks as one of, if not the best, action games released for the system. The impressive graphics, fine-tuned action and platforming elements, along with a memorable main character and story make the game a "must have" for fans of the genre or fans of games in general.

"God of War" introduces a new anti-hero, Kratos. Games these days are inundated with clichéd anti-heroes, but Kratos rises above most, and ends up being rather likeable. At the start of the game, next to nothing is known about the Spartan warrior, but the story of how he came to be is told through stylish cut-scenes as the game progresses. The story revolves around Kratos' mission from Athena to destroy Aries, the Greek god of war. Talking too much about the story will take away from the game, but suffice it to say, the story never bores and has a few twists.

Graphics are an important part of any game, and "God of War" doesn't disappoint. The cinemas are top-notch. The characters and monsters are beautifully rendered and look realistic-well as realistic as minotaurs and cyclopses can look. The in-game graphics are equally impressive. The animation is fluid, and each action is believable in the context of the game. It's surprising that the Playstation 2 can handle such a graphically impressive game without major bouts of slowdown, but it manages to do just that. SCEA really pushed the system to its limits, squeezing out every last drop of power it had to offer. The result is one of the most visually stunning games released on any system.

The developers crafted a beautiful, if dark and twisted, version of ancient Greece. The environment's are unique and look vastly different from each other. There is no feeling of déjà vu in the game and no identical rooms to be found. Generally graphics this good come at a price-long load times. That is not the case with "God of War." The longest load times come when the game is first loaded up, either at the beginning or from a save. After that, there are few load times, giving the world an open feeling not often found in games.

Like the graphics the fighting and exploring elements in the game are impressive. The meat of any action game is the combat system, and while "God of War's" combat isn't the deepest in the genre, it is certainly the most entertaining. Even novices can pull off the biggest moves with ease, but only true masters will be able to rack up 200 to 500 hit combos. The game features enemies torn from the pages of Greek mythology: serpent-like gorgons, and their queen, Medusa, bull-like minotaurs, and behemoth cyclopses. Not all enemies are epic beasts, many are just fodder for Kratos' blades, but they usually attack in overwhelming numbers. While most action games rely on cut-scenes to show the characters pulling off slick-looking maneuvers, "God of War" lets the player participate in the action. Many of the enemies have a unique context-sensitive way to kill them. The sequences are initiated by pushing the "O" button when prompted, then following the on-screen directions. The attacks not only look cool, they are fun to do and often yield a health or magic bonus.

The bosses in the game are awe inspiring, in size and beauty. Each one requires a different strategy to defeat, button mashing isn't an option here. The only bad thing to be said about the bosses is that there isn't enough of them. On the default setting the game is difficult, but not impossible.

Kratos starts out with just one weapon, and a handful of attacks, but killing enemies, and keeping the combo counter rolling, results in more experience. Glowing red orbs that spew forth upon an enemy's death represent experience in the game. Kratos can exchange this experience to power up his weapons and magic, gaining new moves in the process.

The controls are responsive, and the camera is one of the best in an action game to date. With a few exceptions, the camera shows the action from the best possible vantage point. The game could benefit from a free-look option, but its absence doesn't distract from the total package in any way.

"God of War" isn't all action; interspersed throughout the game are puzzles and platforming sections. The puzzles, while not extremely challenging, provide a welcome change-of-pace from the frenetic action sequences. The platforming elements, on the other hand, can be overwhelmingly difficult at times. Most of these involve jumping, running, or swinging across bottomless chasms or gruesome looking death machines. A few of the sequences are extremely annoying and borderline frustrating, but thankfully they're in the minority and are the only downside to an otherwise excellent game.

On the default setting, the game takes 10 to 15 hours to complete, and while that's short, it does unlock a host of content, including a background story on Kratos and an aptly titled "God" difficulty setting. Those brave enough to challenge and good enough to defeat "God Mode" will unlock more bonus content, and more of Kratos' history.

"God of War" is rated M (for Mature) and deservedly so. It is easily one of the bloodiest games around, and many of the aforementioned context-sensitive attacks result in dismemberment of some kind. Early in the game there are a few spots of nudity in cut scenes and the game. There is also a context-sensitive mini-game where Kratos has intercourse with two topless ladies, but the game doesn't show it. Instead the camera cuts away, but there is audible moaning.

"God of War's" blend of action and exploration, coupled with the introduction of the coolest character since Dante, make it an early entry into the "game of the year" sweepstakes, and a game every Playstation 2 owner should add to her or his collection.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools