Admittedly, that didn't take too long. I just now finished the game on Normal difficulty, and I'm quite satisfied with the ending, although it does make me wonder just how "God of War II" starts. Based on my early reading, the PSP's "Chains of Olympus" is a prequel to "God of War," and what I've learned so far definitely has me curious as to how the game's story unfolded to this point. I'm trying to be cautious about just what I read, lest I spoil the events of GoW2 and CoO.

I'm very story-oriented. I've never been a huge fan of first-person shooters, like Quake and Doom, because they came across as, well, like an X-rated movie: all action with no plot. Then came "Halo" ... there was a game with exceptional graphics *and* superb story-telling. "Metroid Prime" was also a winner, combining top-notch gameplay with a riveting story. Now, "God of War" joins that same pantheon.

Next up, "God of War II" ... and maybe my first crack at GoW's God Mode, to see if I can get the other unlockable items.