I recently went back through some old notes, and I came across the script for the God of War review from the old Gaming on a Budget show. I advertised that it would be the next show during Episode 16, but had to cut off the show to move. I figured I’d post it here for your enjoyment, and hope you find it enjoyable.
Today we review the first three installations of the God of War series.
In God of War, you play Kratos, the Ghost of Sparta. Much like Demon Stone, God of War puts you straight into the action and then slowly peals back his past as you progress through the story. In time, you learn that Kratos pledged himself to Aries, the God of War, not knowing the price that Aries would demand for his soul until it was too late. Now, you must guide Kratos through his quest for revenge. Across the three games, you discover the true manipulative nature of the gods, and as the game sets you up for God of war three, you learn that his goals do not stop with destroying the God of War.
God of War has some funny quirks to it.
Each game has on optional off-screen sex-scene. Each of these mini-games is the same: Kratos comes across two near naked women, and as he beds them the camera turns to some object that is jostled around from the thrusting. Chains of Olympus had the most outlandish of these scenes, with a phallic candle splattering candle wax across the chest of a small feminine figurine.
While the game is gory, there is a slight irony to the gore. Most of the gore is so outlandish and unbelievable that it doesn’t have the same stomach-turning effect as the more subtle, but realistic, gore used other games. I am reminded of “Foreign Legion: Buckets of Blood” on Steam. When every enemy’s body reacts like an egg pressurized with ketchup, the horror of the scene is diminished, and that’s a good thing.
The games do make you cringe from time to time, not from the gore, but from the sheer brutality of Kratos. This is the point where I say this game is NOT for children. Most games that give you a moral decision provide you with an option: take the easy road and gain a short term advantage by committing an evil act, or do the right thing, with the understanding that it will be harder for you in the game. God of war is different; Kratos is a genuinely bad guy, and to complete the game, you must drive Kratos to commit some very bad acts that most children would not fully understand. For example. At one point in the storyline, Kratos finds a a warrior trapped in a cage. This warrior is pleased to see Kratos, as he believes he is going to be set free. Unfortunately for him, Kratos just came from a room that requires a human sacrifice before its door could be opened.
Now, if you don’t like it, your only option is to turn off the game. God of War gives you every opportunity to do just that, too, as it is a long journey dragging the cage up the hill to the room where the sacrifice takes place. You are given time to think about what you are going to do, and you hear about it the whole way.
If these things are acceptable to you, then I recommend the game; if not, then don’t come near it. es
You’ve probably read and heard dozens of reviews about about the God of War series. They are all true, and there isn’t much that I can say to add to them. The story is compelling, the controls are smooth and solid, and the artwork is amazing for a PS2. It really is the swan-song of that machine. The issues I’ve said aside, God of War is an amazing game, and should be looked upon as a model for storytelling. On the whole, I give these games a thumbs up.