God of War

The last game I really enjoyed on the PS2 was Metal Gear Solid 3. I loved everything about it, mainly the game-play, graphics, and story. Since then, I've bombarded with a series boring and bland titles. When will something good come out?!

Luckily, something good did come out; but I wasn't there on the game's release. I was a bit skeptical about God of War because there have been a few Sony games in the past with a bunch of hype that didn't live up to the hype. However, GOW is completely different. After hearing the reviews for God of War and finding it for only $32.99 on Outpost; I had to give it a try.

Boy was I amazed!

The graphics are outstanding and the controls are very easy to play. Anyone can pick up this game and have fun. That's what I love about it because I don't really have much time to get too involved with a 'tedious' game.

Hardcore gamers might complain about the game being too easy, not having enough replay value, or it being too short. I, on the other hand, embrace it for the same reasons. I loved the story, graphics, and gameplay; it was an excellent game.

Graphics: 10, beautiful in HD Game-play: 9, easy-yet fun Sound: 10, just awesome w/ loud speakers Story: 9, very entertaining Overall: 9.7

I have played many games in my life, and without a doubt this game is the best one of all. Production values, gameplay, and story are superb. The main character Kratos is incredibly strong and cruel, but not when it comes to his family. I really liked the parallel in his personality. From beginning to end, the game draws you in and never lets up. This is an adult title, and as long as you realize that, you will enjoy this title like no other.

Halo, GTA, and Zelda are all fantastic games in their own right, but God of War beats them because the story and environments and gameplay are done so well. Playing this game is why we enjoy consoles so much.

Yes, this game was very fun and well worth the 14.99 I paid for it on sale. The story has Kratos as a man hell bent on revenge. The target for his revenge, Ares the god of war. Ares has his own plans as he is trying to take down Aphrodite, she is using Kratos though to take him down. So you have your double crosses and such. Why is Kratos wanting revenge, well Ares tricked Kratos into killing his own family so there ya go. The combat in this game is very fun, simple to do yet it looks very cool. You do cool combos and nifty looking finisher type moves on various mythical creatures. You span a few levels as you start with a cool ship scene and also an attack on a city, you also have to go through this strange fortress on top of a giants back. My favorite level though is the hades level as it looks really awesome. Speaking of awesome, the graphics here are just that. From the giant Minotaur's, to the super scenery, and to the falling people in the hades level everything here looks exceptional. My only complaint is the rather short play time and the shortage of boss fights which is a shame, because the ones they do have are very fun. So for a fun game that offers a challenge, but does not make you rip your hair out give this game a try. Add to that you even get to see some boobies!!!

God Of War, released on March 22, 2005, is one of the best action games ever released on any console. David Jaffe and his team at Sony-Santa Monica have created a game that is better than the Japanese created Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden.

This game is noted for its deep use of Greek Mythology. Mr. Jaffe for years had wanted to make a game based on it. You are Kratos, a super-human who at the start of the game is seen falling to his death. The game then goes back to three weeks earlier where you control the chain of events that lead to him committing suicide.

Kratos has two attacks, magic, and a jump and a roll/evade move. Combat is a breeze and is very satisfying. In this game, you are powerful enough as is to combat your opponents. You gain orbs to increase your powers and the Gods themselves bestow you the magic.

The game is an absolute work of art. The graphics are some of the best you'll see with much detail on the enemies and the locales. The controls are easy to get into and the manual details everything for you. Combat features mostly hack and slash but there will be times you'll do specific button presses or Track-And-Field style button mashing against tougher enemies or bosses.

The music is outstanding; perhaps one of the best original scores ever created. The voice acting is top-notch with Oscar-winning actress Linda Hunt providing the narration. Best of all, the game is just plain fun. You can get into it right away. It can be beaten in 10-12 hours but you'll want to replay it.

One word of warning: this game is rated M and it richly deserves it. There is a lot of violence, blood and gore, and some nudity throughout the game. This isn't a game for kids or the squeamish. For everybody else, this is the PS2s best game of 2005, maybe the year's best, and a game franchise to keep your eye on.

This outstanding slice-n-dicer arises from the under utilized ancient Greek mythology. While not completely rooted in historical myth, the authors have created a well though out, intriguing storyline that brings both ambitious goals and better than most emotionality to the screen.

The interface, while very functional as most Playstation games are, is exceptionally intuitive and rewarding. When I began my first game, on a moderate setting, I was expecting to be daunted by the numerous, very beautifully rendered moves preformed by Kratos, the game's hero. Forgive me for doubting, since I've turned 35, I have found that programming VCRs has become challenging. I'm sure that a seven or fifteen year old will wonder what I'm even talking about.

This game is gory. It's not just gory for gory's sake, but honest to gory gosh gory because the hero is a violent guy. I loved the feel of this, because it reminded me of watching the swords & sandals movies, just as they slashed and wrestled their way to ultimate, noble glory, so does Kratos. In fact, if there is any real flaw, it is because there is perhaps too much hubris distributed among all the characters in this game.

I've been bored of the video game industry's fascination with anime and the Japanese spiky- haired teen heroes. There is plenty of luscious large-chested babes in slinky, barely decent attire, and then you have 'warriors' that look like ten-year-olds in safety-mom's dream football gear. I've never been a big costume fan. In God of War, Kratos is rendered bare- chested and powerfully built, with a blazing red body tattoo, scars and white skin. It's something I can relate to. He's moody, vicious, and he extracts blood and limbs like nobody's business. I can relate to this too.

The God of War world is expansive, inviting exploration as well as providing very good direction, and only once did I have any trouble with the puzzles. I spent nearly two days solid trying to place a dumb crate into a room to jump to a ledge. Apparently it had to be just so, and I kid you now, I was near destroying my console with my bare hands, Kratos style.

If this game has any educational value what so ever, it will teach patience, and that try, try, try yet again will eventually pay off. This game stays in my personal library. I love it.