Game of the Month #34 (November 2017) - God of War

Our main character is Kratos, a spartan warrior who has gained the title "the Ghost of Sparta," who has been in servitude to the gods for the past ten years. After killing a Hydra for Poseidon, Kratos summons Athena, who sends him off to do one last task before his sins are to be forgiven. This task is to kill the god of war, Ares, who Kratos has a particular grudge ageist and who happens to be attacking the city of Athens which is under Athena's protection. This task will be a difficult one, for the only way to kill a god is by a god's hand, and how does a mortal gain the power of a god.

Two words: clone fight. Good luck on that part.

This is nice, I was just talking to my friend about how I wanted to play these games before the new one comes out.

Already completed this one so I'll give my quick thoughts on the game. I enjoyed it quite abit with a pretty decent story and excellent combat. I think this overal the best God of war game but I do enjoy the set pieces alot more in God of War 3. Kratos also here felt a more rounded charcter dealing with guilt instead of a walking body of anger and hate in the later games.


Speaking of God of War 3. The whole game could've been resolved at the end of this game is zeus just let kratos commit suicide at the end of this game.

I played the first hour of this on the PS2 a few months back, before a borked disc made me abandon it. I've since downloaded the HD remaster for PS3, and I'm looking forward to picking up where I left off.

I have finished about half of the game and I really start to wonder who the hell designed some of qtes. They don't even give me a chance. Less than 1 second to react to button prompt is just plain wrong and poor design. I mean qtes are wrong, but these are some of the worst.

I have finished about half of the game and I really start to wonder who the hell designed some of qtes. They don't even give me a chance. Less than 1 second to react to button prompt is just plain wrong and poor design. I mean qtes are wrong, but these are some of the worst.

I'm not as far through the game as you are, and I'm not the biggest fan of QTEs, but I don't think the ones in this game are all that bad... Certainly none of them have felt unfair to me so far.

I'm a couple of hours in (just past where I got on the PS2 version) and I'm having a blast so far. I love that there is almost no filler; aside from the occasional puzzle room, it's pure balls-to-the-wall action!

I'm not as far through the game as you are, and I'm not the biggest fan of QTEs, but I don't think the ones in this game are all that bad... Certainly none of them have felt unfair to me so far.

I'm a couple of hours in (just past where I got on the PS2 version) and I'm having a blast so far. I love that there is almost no filler; aside from the occasional puzzle room, it's pure balls-to-the-wall action!

Won't spoil anything... there are these big monsters which need 3 random button prompts to finish them and there is almost no time to press last one. I only succeeded once, but I stopped trying to do qte if I fail and just kill them normal way.
Game is pretty fun and I really enjoy fact that there are puzzles and some platforming otherwise I would get bored quickly just by killing countless enemies.

Two words: clone fight. Good luck on that part.

that fight is 3x easier than final one which is seriously annoying with unavoidable moves. During clone fight I actually had strategy which helped a lot and it wasn't that hard. I start to doubt that I will finish God of War. lol... and I finished it 10 minutes later, lol.

I've always found God of War to be boring and ugly. Have tried to play it several times, but I can't seem to keep interest long. Much prefer DMC, Onimusha, Otogi, Ninja Gaiden, Bayonetta etc. etc.

Are the sequels better, or is the series just not for me?

I did not enjoy the first Devil May Cry game, yet love God of War

Bayonetta series may be my favorite in the genre however

I enjoyed God of War. Nice game, good balance between gameplay elements. Good level design... doesn't jump from one location to other constantly (coherent). On other hand Bayonetta is everything which I dislike about video games. It's so random, so over the top that game loses any meaning and I can only roll eyes or cringe during cutscenes. Crosses the line from "fun game with a bit of stupidity in it" to "just completely bollocks". It's like watching untasteful comedy. I personaly feel bad about myself when playing game's like these. Maybe it's guilty pleasure for some. Different things for different folks.

that fight is 3x easier than final one which is seriously annoying with unavoidable moves. During clone fight I actually had strategy which helped a lot and it wasn't that hard. I start to doubt that I will finish God of War. lol... and I finished it 10 minutes later, lol.

I played it on Hard the first time so that part crushed me since they would always swarm me before I got the chance to kill the previous wave. Very Hard wasn't so bad since I planned ahead. One of the last climbing segments also pissed me off as I was rushing, my impatience took its toll on me here. I liked the idea of having buzzles between each set of action-oriented bits but they would often feel like a drag and somewhat break the pace. QTE-sequences were nice to look at and fair. Whoever enjoyed the first part shall not hesitate to continue with the 2nd, it improves upon everything.

So I just beat the game a few minutes ago, and I have to say I had a really good time with it. On Normal everything seems pretty well-balanced (with the exception of a god-awful battle with harpies and archers on moving conveyor belts with insta-kill flamethrowers), and the gameplay itself still holds up over a decade later. Even the QTEs aren't nearly as bad as I had expected them to be. I have the sequel as well, which I will probably play sometime in 2018.

As an aside, I had played both of the PSP God of War games prior to the original, and I'm even more impressed now by just how similar the portable titles are to the full-scale console release, in every aspect of the gameplay and relative content. The only real concession, to my mind, is the controls, which have to triple-up on shoulder button functionality, and use the analog stick with a modifier to replace the right-stick dodging from the console games.

SPOILERS (since this GOTM is years old I won't hide them)

I don't play much during the week so I got stuck on Athens rooftop and had to get a hint, which I dislike doing. But I blame my circumstances more than the game itself.

I was stuck for days, trying to continue when I could, so naturally I was happy to finally leave Athens. I got to the desert of lost souls which was beautiful visually and aurally, and was told to kill some sirens to find Kronos the last Titan who was condemned to carry the temple of Pandora until his skin is flayed off by sandstorms.

I thought that was all pretty cool, because I'm sorta into the Greek stuff and it just hits every button of mine. That's the main draw for me more than the action, which is generally fun except for the QTEs which are problematic as others have said.

I am in the Challenge of Atlas right now. Time reads 4 hours in, so maybe I can beat it today?

SPOILERS (since this GOTM is years old I won't hide them)

I don't play much during the week so I got stuck on Athens rooftop and had to get a hint, which I dislike doing. But I blame my circumstances more than the game itself.

I was stuck for days, trying to continue when I could, so naturally I was happy to finally leave Athens. I got to the desert of lost souls which was beautiful visually and aurally, and was told to kill some sirens to find Kronos the last Titan who was condemned to carry the temple of Pandora until his skin is flayed off by sandstorms.

I thought that was all pretty cool, because I'm sorta into the Greek stuff and it just hits every button of mine. That's the main draw for me more than the action, which is generally fun except for the QTEs which are problematic as others have said.

I am in the Challenge of Atlas right now. Time reads 4 hours in, so maybe I can beat it today?

Four hours?! That's damn fast. Took me 10-11 hours to beat and don't feel like I've wasted much time.

I agree that the desert thing was cool and I loved the challenges. Be aware that they take longer that you may be thinking.

Four hours?! That's damn fast. Took me 10-11 hours to beat and don't feel like I've wasted much time.

I agree that the desert thing was cool and I loved the challenges. Be aware that they take longer that you may be thinking.

Keep in mind the game time tracker doesn't include the times I die or time wasted on the rooftops, among other things.

Keep in mind the game time tracker doesn't include the times I die or time wasted on the rooftops, among other things.

Also, if I remeber correctly, the desert section is like 1/3 of the game done or so.

Also, if I remeber correctly, the desert section is like 1/3 of the game done or so.

I am now about 5.5 hours, still in the Temple of Pandora.

Game has some frustrating sections and mechanics, but I manage to overcome it every time so I guess it's not that bad.

Honestly I don't know how to feel about this game. As you know I don't play many like it anymore, not like as a kid. I'm used to games I can just brute force or are easier overall. So the fact that I'm gripped to the screen playing this is unfamiliar to me. But I really do seem to be enjoying it, so I try not to get too introspective.

The game has introduced a couple new enemies and variants of old ones. But I was under the impression that this series is known for huge boss fights like Dark Souls or Shadow of the Colossus. So far I think the Hydra is the only huge boss I fought or am I forgetting one? I'm hoping Kronos is one because that'd be so awesome, and based on the plot I assume Ares will be (no spoilers though please).

I am now about 5.5 hours, still in the Temple of Pandora.

Game has some frustrating sections and mechanics, but I manage to overcome it every time so I guess it's not that bad.

Honestly I don't know how to feel about this game. As you know I don't play many like it anymore, not like as a kid. I'm used to games I can just brute force or are easier overall. So the fact that I'm gripped to the screen playing this is unfamiliar to me. But I really do seem to be enjoying it, so I try not to get too introspective.

The game has introduced a couple new enemies and variants of old ones. But I was under the impression that this series is known for huge boss fights like Dark Souls or Shadow of the Colossus. So far I think the Hydra is the only huge boss I fought or am I forgetting one? I'm hoping Kronos is one because that'd be so awesome, and based on the plot I assume Ares will be (no spoilers though please).

There are only 3-4 big bosses in GoW. Massive sense of scale and epic battles really kicks in with the 2nd and 3rd game.

I haven't played it yet, but I know there is a battle with a massive Cronos in GoW3. From what I've seen, Colossi from SotC look like insects next to how big bosses are in GoW3.

There are only 3-4 big bosses in GoW. Massive sense of scale and epic battles really kicks in with the 2nd and 3rd game.

I haven't played it yet, but I know there is a battle with a massive Cronos in GoW3. From what I've seen, Colossi from SotC look like insects next to how big bosses are in GoW3.

Thanks. I'm I think 7~ hours in and at the Cliffs of Madness section. I just fought the minotaur. So that means the final boss is probably the last massive boss; maybe another one at the end of the temple.

Minotaur was cool, though. I was kind of stuck on what to do because I was basically grinding him for health and magic: I could get him knocked out easily, do the QTE, slash him up before he woke up, then even as he woke up knock him back down before he could attack me. But nothing was happening! Eventually I learned what to do, but it was kinda funny at first with how powerful I was (I've been putting all my upgrades into my weapons).

I was also confused as to why I was fighting a mechanical minotaur, then I realized it was actually a giant undead minotaur encased in armor and that somehow made more sense.

Anyhow, got stuck at another part, gave up late last night and looked up another hint. It's exactly as I thought: I know what to do, I'm just not quick enough. I guess I'll try again later today. I think I can beat it, and then play GoW2 next month if it wins GotM (or maybe play it anyway if you do too).

Thanks. I'm I think 7~ hours in and at the Cliffs of Madness section. I just fought the minotaur. So that means the final boss is probably the last massive boss; maybe another one at the end of the temple.

Minotaur was cool, though. I was kind of stuck on what to do because I was basically grinding him for health and magic: I could get him knocked out easily, do the QTE, slash him up before he woke up, then even as he woke up knock him back down before he could attack me. But nothing was happening! Eventually I learned what to do, but it was kinda funny at first with how powerful I was (I've been putting all my upgrades into my weapons).

I was also confused as to why I was fighting a mechanical minotaur, then I realized it was actually a giant undead minotaur encased in armor and that somehow made more sense.

Anyhow, got stuck at another part, gave up late last night and looked up another hint. It's exactly as I thought: I know what to do, I'm just not quick enough. I guess I'll try again later today. I think I can beat it, and then play GoW2 next month if it wins GotM (or maybe play it anyway if you do too).

I will play GoW2 next month regardless if it is GotM or not. I need to complete Arkham City first (8-9 hours in), but my son has been particularly difficult since the beginning of January and gaming time is hard to come by.

The Minotaur was a cool battle. The whole game was such a good action game from beginning to end. Had lots of different monsters, variety in the levels and settings, very good combat mechanics in my opinion with lots of upgrades and magic that's actually useful. A well balanced game.

I will play GoW2 next month regardless if it is GotM or not. I need to complete Arkham City first (8-9 hours in), but my son has been particularly difficult since the beginning of January and gaming time is hard to come by.

The Minotaur was a cool battle. The whole game was such a good action game from beginning to end. Had lots of different monsters, variety in the levels and settings, very good combat mechanics in my opinion with lots of upgrades and magic that's actually useful. A well balanced game.

I have beaten it.

It had some annoying parts, especially towards the end: Hades was especially bad, with two sections I hated. The combat was mostly fine, but either I wasn't good at it or it needed a way to interrupt my attacks to block or dodge. But I beat it! The final boss was also disappointing, but at least I got to kill a god, so that was neat.

I think I'll continue Horizon, then pick up GoW2 when you start. I hope it doubles down on the good parts of this game, and doesn't have any "avoid the spikes while carefully moving across a thing and if you get hit you have to start all over and also the hit box is bigger than you think so make sure that Kratos' foot is more than a foot away from any spikes at all times" sections.

But seriously, is Kratos deathly afraid of sharp objects? >_>

I have beaten it.

It had some annoying parts, especially towards the end: Hades was especially bad, with two sections I hated. The combat was mostly fine, but either I wasn't good at it or it needed a way to interrupt my attacks to block or dodge. But I beat it! The final boss was also disappointing, but at least I got to kill a god, so that was neat.

I think I'll continue Horizon, then pick up GoW2 when you start. I hope it doubles down on the good parts of this game, and doesn't have any "avoid the spikes while carefully moving across a thing and if you get hit you have to start all over and also the hit box is bigger than you think so make sure that Kratos' foot is more than a foot away from any spikes at all times" sections.

But seriously, is Kratos deathly afraid of sharp objects? >_>

The first GoW is far from perfect, but very few new IPs and franchises start with such a solid first game.

The battle with Ares was "okay". Remember that this game is about Kratos fighting the Gods, but he's also battling with himself. The whole part where you hug your family while fighting waves of enemies is an emotional moment for Kratos when you think about it. The whole game is also about that.

The first GoW is far from perfect, but very few new IPs and franchises start with such a solid first game.

The battle with Ares was "okay". Remember that this game is about Kratos fighting the Gods, but he's also battling with himself. The whole part where you hug your family while fighting waves of enemies is an emotional moment for Kratos when you think about it. The whole game is also about that.

It's funny how our respective life experiences shape our understanding of games. Your family makes you emotionally resonate with games like What Remains of Edith Finch and Journey. Or in this case, you see that scene with Kratos as him trying to hold onto the family he loves, willing to give his own life selflessly to protect the innocent.

I just see a man with regrets unwilling to change his brutal behavior. Slaughtering countless people, even burning them alive, in an attempt to wipe away his own guilt. Filled with vengeance against a god who only acted as Kratos himself demanded. He doesn't want to save his family; he wants to be absolved of his sins, no matter the cost.