God of War Ascension [PS3] review

[jimtendo]

I'll cut to the chase.

The Good:

• it's God of War.

The Bad:

• Well, it's God of War.

just sayin'...

Whether it's because the first footage of this was the multiplayer, or something else, I couldn't help but think the God of War bandwagon has somewhat stalled. With the intentions of making 'Ascension' a prequel to the series and to discover how Kratos became a god killer. Y'know, to see his more human side. Though to be honest all I see is more "KRATOS SMASH" type dimensionality (if that's even a word) to his character.

I mean, to follow up to the game where he kills practically everyone who has batted an eyelid at him and then Zeus, who else can he kill? You can't really top that kind of CV.
Killed Hades - check
Killed Poseidon - check
Killed God - check

I'm only 6 chapters in at the moment, so hopefully it will pick up.
There is an air of familiarity, sure it's got epic sweeping vistas and environments, luscious texture work, the double jump is still funky and whatnot.
However, there's a few grievances:

Cardinal Sin #1:
Do not zoom the camera out so bloomin' far while I'm in middle of combat.
If people didn't like Metal Gear Risings camera, they're going to have a field day with this.

Cardinal Sin #2:
Now, the combo system we've aquainted ourselves with for so long during the series gets a little shake up.
Now to string different combos, you have full 'rage' meter. Then you can use extra moves. So the:
triangle > triangle > triangle
and triangle > triangle > square are not useable off the bat, until you deal damage.
If you stop attacking for a second, then the meter will go down.
Essentially, the only (normal blades) combos you have at your disposal (to spam and get 'rage') are:
1. square, triangle
2. square, square
3. square, square, triangle
4. square, square, square, triangle

This is when unlocking tier #2. Until I unlock tier #3 I'll update as to what other combos you can perform.

Cardinal Sin #3:
Entered incorrect button for QTE boss sections = replenished health for boss.
So you have to beat his ass some more to get QTE death sequence again. Missed that button prompt again? tough ****. Repeat step no.1 again.

Not tried multiplayer yet.
Will do after single player foray.

[saturn-gamer]

I hated the demo. Basically the camera, framerate, lightning and combat system which relies on just one weapon now. This impression doesn't make it better for me. I'll stick with 3 and Ghost.

[jimtendo]

Even on their 6th game, they've finally implemented New Game +... but the catch is, you can only play it on the same difficulty and lower.

/facepalm.

That's kind of part of the reason why people enjoy New Game +... to attain skills and carry them over to higher difficulties. I don't think Santa Monica studio know how basic game options work. It's standard stuff that goes hand in hand with this genre of game. Not sure whether it's just me, but there seems to be more mundane platforming/ climbing sections, as well as 'welcome pace changing' puzzles (facetious mode = off)
That litter the game even more.

The changes to the core combat is questionable at best.
Now it's just a reliance of spamming square x 3 or square x 2 > triangle until rage builds up. Going for square x3 > triangle runs the risk of getting hit and losing rage build up momentum.

RE: saturn-gamer.
You're going to hate me for saying this, but this lags behind in terms of minute to minute combat action to the like of the previous God of War games. And even the competition this year where MGR: Revengeance and DmC easily outperform it.

[saturn-gamer]

One of the better reviews I read said the game picks up after about 6 hours of play and only then starts to go full boom until the end. Which should mean that 80% of the game is rather lacklustre.

Its probably one GoW too many, God of War 3 ended the Kratos saga nicely and Ghost of Sparta was a very well done prequel but only for handheld and low key release on Ps3.

[Synthesthesia]

I'm enjoying it, despite some of the mechanics which seem like a step back. As said some of the combos don't work until you've filled your meter, which isn't explained that clearly IMO. I'm playing on hard and it's ridiculously hard in places, those goat men don't even give you a chance to move/build combos. I just cheap them out by jumping in the air, spamming grab and holding square.

Not sure how it is on Normal/Easy either but on the first level that

->Open Spoiler<-

boss hand thing

on hard, can 1 hit kill you... not cool. Took me about 5-6 tries.

It just doesn't feel as nice/ fun to play as the previous ones, I'm not sure I'd be so forgiving of it had I paid for it. Glad I rented it.

[Team Andromeda]

I don't get the knockers this is fab and hand down the best looking game I've ever seen on any console

[Synthesthesia]

It definitely looks amazing I'll give it that.

[teddymeow]

I'm enjoying it a great deal but it certainly is tricky...even on normal.

e whole "click L3 & R3" for Rage moves when you don't actually need to is daft.

[Garny]

Decent enough game. Just wish it was a tad longer, and some of the spikes in difficulty are a bit much in places. Gets an 8 from me

[Shoju]

Always thought this was an overrated series with some outstanding graphics. Not bad but just nowhere near as great as made out imo.

Reading those changes to the combat sound terrible.

[laruso]

well, loved the game up to the trials of Archimedes, and to be honest now im either gonna sell it or put it in the bin. Im playing on Normal, and for the life of me cannot do this section - its poorly designed and unnecessarily hard because of the lack of health and number of enemies. the mulitplayer isnt much cop and wont make me keep it. why do designers put these spikes in? at least in the last games it gave me the option to change to easy (im rubbish but at least i can finish the game i paid for). no such option here unfortunately.

[BIG EDD]

well, loved the game up to the trials of Archimedes, and to be honest now im either gonna sell it or put it in the bin. Im playing on Normal, and for the life of me cannot do this section - its poorly designed and unnecessarily hard because of the lack of health and number of enemies. the mulitplayer isnt much cop and wont make me keep it. why do designers put these spikes in? at least in the last games it gave me the option to change to easy (im rubbish but at least i can finish the game i paid for). no such option here unfortunately.

have you downloaded the latest patch to balance out the trials of Archimedes?

http://www.justpushstart.com/2013/03/god-of-war-ascension-download-1-03-patch-now-available/

[laruso]

cheers Edd will fire it up again, one last try before i sell it!

[Neon Ignition]

Started this tonight and it reminds me playing Gears Judgment. Fourth game in the series, plays ok but feels like something has gone wrong and the spark has gone.

[laruso]

well, thanks to Edd letting me know about the patch, i did the trials section and finished it. Glad i did or i would have missed the jaw dropping final chapter. overall the graphics are phenomenal at times, almost next gen, but i think the combat changes mean that you rarely get the rage meter filled and consequently dont witness the full on moves as often as GOW3. A strange tweak which adds nothing to the game but limits the not-so-good among us to lots of frustrating encounters. still, great showcase moments, but unfortunately it followed GOW3 which had that spectacular opening, and I dont think it could match up to it.