epic epic epic epic epic
Like all good action games, the control scheme in this one is incredibly simple and opens up the floor to numerous combos. By the time you reach the climax you will be able to pull off a variety of moves totalling a number pushing fifty. As well as your basic dual swords you also have access to a secondary (and kickass) weapon that you can switch on the fly as well as a variety of (completely necessary-if you want to live) magical abilities. There’s more. Say you’re taking down a big enemy and you want to finish him off in a way that goes beyond the well proven method of ‘hit-hit-hit-hit-oh, he’s dead…’ Once you’ve worn him down enough, a button icon will appear above his head. Pressing it will trigger a series of button commands. Each press of the correct button will have you pull of some slick move to take down the poor bastard. Boss battles are terrific. Too bad there are only a couple.
This is a good time to mention how the game looks as you’re pulling off these moves –well, it looks great. While the character models aren’t that impressive, the fluid animations are. The game looks and feels incredibly flexible which makes it all the more fun to play. What REALLY steals the show however, are your surroundings. The level design is absolutely spectacular complemented by the clever and professional use of the game’s camera. At times, you’ll be walking across a bridge or through a doorway and the camera will pan outwards to give you your context in its entirety. The game is wholly successful in maintaining its epic feel constantly confronting you with bigger scopes and grander landscapes.
The game continues this ‘larger-than-life’ atmosphere through its impeccable soundtrack rivalling that of Hollywood’s finest. It’s something you just have to hear in order to appreciate it, suffice to say the game features one of the best scores in a video game ever.
One thing you don’t expect a game of this nature to excel in is its plot. Surprisingly, even this is pulled off well. The basic revenge plot is a worn tool of storytelling these days, but what is unique about it is how the game presents it all to you. When you commence, you are intentionally oblivious to what exactly is going on. As you progress however, you find out what exactly it is you’re doing and it all shapes up to be a pretty epic story that builds to a conclusion that is totally satisfying, something that can’t be said for even the best of action games. It also helps that the plot runs with a totally likable character. Kratos, the phenomenal badass you control is one you can’t but love, despite his raging bloodlust and relentless attitude to the sanctity of life. He’s also free of that pumped up ego that is evident in too many action heroes these days.
God of War isn’t a short game, nor is it a particularly long one. Give or take you’ll be done with the main mission in 10-15 hours. Additionally, the game also throws in a ‘God mode’ for those of you with balls of steel as well as a ‘challenge of the gods’ to extend that lifespan a bit further. The game won’t last that long, but what matters is the impression it will leave in your head once you put the controller down, and oh, is it a big impression.