By the Gods...is how this game was made.
Fast forward 5 years and here I sit today just finishing the 3rd and final installment of the God of War series about 12hrs ago. I've matured and played countless other games since the first time I met Kratos. It amazes me at how easy it was to slip back into his world, how comfortable it was. And how the grip that he once had on me hasn't loosened one bit.
Let me say that this game isn't perfect. No game is. I had some minor trouble with the double jump not always registering, and at one point during the labrynth I fell through the floor and had to start at a previous checkpoint. As far as complaints about the actual gameplay, and story. I had none.
It was a good length. At first when I finished I thought it felt short. Looking back on it I realized it wasn't short. 10hrs for a hack and slash is a good length. I was just so immersed in the world that the time flew by. From the opening scene to the final credits, the game was one big rollercoaster. I truly felt like I was taking on the task of felling the Gods, Kratos' vengance was my own. I wanted to end Zeus. I wanted to right all the wrongs done to me. It made time a non-issue. Of course I wanted more game. That doesn't mean the game needed it. My own selfishness aside, the game had perfect pacing and knew when it needed to end.
The weapons this time around were actually interesting. I still only found myself sticking with 2 of them for the majority of the game. The Blades of Exile, and the Nemean Cestus were my weapons of choice. The Claws of Hades were fun. I just didn't connect with them. The Nemesis whip felt tacked on to me to get you through a certain portion of them. I could be wrong and it may have some good uses. I just never found them.
The gameplay is God of War. It reinvents nothing, but it refines everything. The gameplay is fluid, combos are a blast to pull off, being able to pull yourself into the middle of any enemy encounter adds a new gameplay element. As does the new item system. The Bow of Apollo, Head of Helios, and Boots of Hermes also give you a new way to attack each enemy.
The graphics are top notch. Beautiful envrionments Epic scaling and just an overall amazing presentation. You truly feel like every task is insurmountable. You're such a small figure in a huge world. Scaling the titans, battling the Gods, all just sucks you in and makes you feel like the task is bigger than you.
I could go on and on about this game, and would actually love to do so. However I must wrap this up and tell you. I'm not asking. I'm telling you to go buy this game. Don't rent it, don't gamefly it. Go buy it. It's worth it. It's one of the truly remarkable experiences. Whether you're like me and have been fascinated by the series since the first game, or you're just trying to find something new to play. This game will suck you in, and by the time the credits roll you'll feel like you've done something epic. Stop reading. Grab your car keys, and go buy this game. I promise you'll thank me in 12hrs.