GOD OF WAR 2
Developer:
SCE Studios Santa Monica
Publisher:
Sony Computer Entertainment
Systems:
Playstation 2
INTRODUCTION:
God of War II picks up where God of War left off. You resume
control of Kratos, who has become the full-time God of War (naturally). Now
Kratos is unfortunately a little meaner and nastier than Ares, his predecessor,
and this has pissed off Zeus, who now wants Kratos stripped of his status and
power. Kratos has one chance, and that’s to visit the sisters of Gaia, who can
foretell his future and reveal his destiny. A whole HELL of a lot of fighting
ensues.
GAMEPLAY:
If you’ve never played God of War (henceforth referred to as
GOW) before, do yourself a favour and go to your local video game store and
purchase it. You know how Halo is the “Killer App” for the XBOX? Well, it is
indeed arguable, but I believe that GOW is the equivalent on Sony’s dying
machine.
That being said, GOW II actually manages to improve on the
original, and while feeling somewhat familiar is unlike anything you’ve ever
played. As you assume control of our favourite anti-hero Kratos, you’re in for
a hell of a ride. Kratos is equipped with the blades of Athena, arguably the
coolest video game weapon ever. As you progress, you’ll earn orbs from bad guys
to level up these weapons and unleash the most devastating, and jaw-dropping
attacks you’ve ever seen.
The fighting in GOW II is mostly combo-based. You’ll be
stringing together multiple hit combos (it’s not uncommon to get over 100 linked
hits) and wiping out foes left and right. And they just don’t stop coming, in
all shapes and sizes. Bosses and mini-bosses often require context-sensitive
button sequences, which will have your palms sweating.
There’s also a magic system, where you learn spells and so
forth along the way to neutralize your enemies. Very cool stuff.
I know that this may all sound like a typical game, but
believe me, it’s not. You’ve never played anything like this game before. The
thing is HUGE, spanning hours upon hours of game play, and tons of secrets can
be found. The whole process is simply so engaging. Imagine facing a giant,
bearded statue with glowing eyes (so large that only its head and shoulders can
be seen on screen) that tosses soldiers at you, only to get frustrated as you
wipe them out, as he smashes his fist against the ground, killing them, and
trying to injure you. You then climb into his open hand and fling yourself at
him to try and get close enough to defeat him, only to hope you are not smashed
into the wall like an insect.
Sound amazing? Yeah, it is. And that is about, oh… five
minutes into the first level or so? I kid you not. The game is a sprawling,
brutal masterpiece that exudes violence from every pore. The boss battles will
leave you breathless. The puzzles that are peppered throughout the game will
drive you nuts (although some are easier than others), and the platform jumping
will have you cursing at the screen, despite the fact that the jumping mechanic
is right on.
GOW II doesn’t lead you by the hand and let you walk your way
through it; it makes you work your ass off to earn your victory. This isn’t a
game, it’s an experience, and even if it was half as long as it is, it’d still
be better than most games out there. It’s just pure bad-ass, blood spilling fun
that incorporates myth, monsters, and even sex!
Gameplay: 10/10
GRAPHICS:
Are your friends trying to show you up with their fancy
new-fangled systems? Let me tell you, this one will give you some bragging
rights. Slide GOW 2 into your aging system, and let minds be blown.
Textures are smooth, bosses are huge and detailed, the
aforementioned blades of Athena are incredibly animated, and the whole thing
just blazes along at a blistering pace, leaving everything else in the dust.
GOW 2 is one of the most impressively detailed games you’ve
ever seen, on almost any system, and will get the absolute best out of your PS2.
I don’t know if this would be considered an insult or a compliment, but you
could convince some people this game is a PS3 title. It’s that good. Slick,
slick, slick.
Graphics: 10/10
AUDIO:
How would you expect a game like this to sound? Mythical,
epic battles between gods and monsters? Think about it for a second. Think
hard. Okay, so you’ve got it. Orchestra-quality music booms through the speakers
as you battle with bosses, and hard rock will pulse at just the right times.
Slices, dices, screams and deaths are all emulated perfectly, because this game
is an aural masterpiece. Just listening to the soundtrack would get your blood
pumping, I guarantee it.
Audio: 10/10
FINAL VERDICT:
GOW 2 is every bit the game GOW was and then some. Everything is just amped up a
little bit, as if it needed to be anyway. This game is tense, intense, and will
get your heart pumping in your chest. You’ll feel for Kratos, and you’ll be
thrilled as you finally vanquish some of his tougher foes. You will be
completely enthralled with this game! It gives you a reason to dust off your PS2
and give it the send-off it deserves after all of those years of trusty gameplay.
Do your PS2 a favour and give it a steak for its last meal instead of a reheated burger and fries!
FINAL SCORE: 10/10