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God of War 2 continues the blood-soaked odyssey of Kratos, a Spartan warrior who, following his defeat of Ares (the God of War himself) at the conclusion of the previous game, is now being hunted by the vengeful Gods. Stripped of his Godly powers, Kratos sets foot on an adventure that takes him from the darkness of the Underworld, to the Island of Creation, to Rhodes, where the stage is set for the epic battle to end all epic battles with the Father of the Gods – Zeus.
Aesthetically, this game is an absolute marvel to behold, and the fact that such wonderful visuals were achieved on the lowly-PS2 is mind-boggling. This is not only the best-looking game on the PS2, but it’s also one of the best-stylised games to be seen on any present platform. Jaffe and company have shown the utmost diligence in creating convincing periodical landscapes with the most impressive visuals the PS2 can handle (trust me – this one’s really pushing the bar). Whilst the first game in itself was visually pleasing, the sequel adds a lot of bloom lighting and really amps up the graphics as it pertains to the background effects. With graphics like this, who needs a PS3?
Rarely are video game soundtracks recognised enough, and there are few greater examples than the collaborative effort that accompanies the blood-drenched carnage in God of War 2. The orchestral pieces, in conjunction with the wonderful sounds of tearing flesh, screaming Sirens, and even the war cry of Kratos himself, makes for a game that is best played on the biggest surround-sound speakers you can find.
God of War 2’s gameplay has created some of the most enjoyable gaming moments I have experienced in recent years. The game essentially consists of three mechanics – combat, platforming, and puzzle solving. The most enjoyable of the three is undoubtedly the combat, particularly as it pertains to the boss battles. The opening boss battle with the Colossus of Rhodes will leave you agape – an epic, sprawling battle against a 100-foot tall statue. No other title on the market so effectively presents a sense of scale like this, and furthermore, never before have thirty-minute boss battles been this exciting.
Some other little treats have been added to the game also, such as several flying mini-games, where you ride the winged horse Pegasus and whilst doing so, must battle hordes of enemies. The mini-games from the first game have returned in style, also, namely the combat-based games which involve the player pressing the correct controller buttons to execute devastation finishing moves on your foes. The true potential of this mechanic is greater and greater realised as the game progresses – as the dangerous enemies increase in size, so does the scale of the attacks which you finish them off with. To say that these sections of the game are exhilarating is an understatement.
Seasoned veterans of the first game shouldn’t have too much trouble beating this game – it’s not terribly difficult, but at the same time not ridiculously easy. Some puzzles may take a little time to figure out, and some bosses may take a few attempts, but by and large the average gamer will be able to beat the game in 12-15 hours. However, if you do find yourself in a spot of trouble, if you die five times in a row, the game will offer you the chance to change to Easy Mode if you so wish.
It’s said far more than it should be, but in this instance it rings true – God of War 2 is a masterpiece. Visually arresting, and boasting gameplay that will undoubtedly be imitated for years to come, this game is a virtually faultless work of art. Whilst at first glance not a huge build on the original game (which in itself was a masterpiece of a game), God of War 2 provides a gaming experience that is presently unrivalled. Your adrenaline will rush, you will love it, and you won’t be able to put the controller down. Games of this sheer quality come along only every couple of years, and as the PS2’s gears grind to halt, what better game for the platform to end on? If you have a PS2 (and even if you don’t), you need to buy this game.
10/10.
Thanks for reading,
Reefer
God of War 2 continues the blood-soaked odyssey of Kratos, a Spartan warrior who, following his defeat of Ares (the God of War himself) at the conclusion of the previous game, is now being hunted by the vengeful Gods. Stripped of his Godly powers, Kratos sets foot on an adventure that takes him from the darkness of the Underworld, to the Island of Creation, to Rhodes, where the stage is set for the epic battle to end all epic battles with the Father of the Gods – Zeus.
Aesthetically, this game is an absolute marvel to behold, and the fact that such wonderful visuals were achieved on the lowly-PS2 is mind-boggling. This is not only the best-looking game on the PS2, but it’s also one of the best-stylised games to be seen on any present platform. Jaffe and company have shown the utmost diligence in creating convincing periodical landscapes with the most impressive visuals the PS2 can handle (trust me – this one’s really pushing the bar). Whilst the first game in itself was visually pleasing, the sequel adds a lot of bloom lighting and really amps up the graphics as it pertains to the background effects. With graphics like this, who needs a PS3?
Rarely are video game soundtracks recognised enough, and there are few greater examples than the collaborative effort that accompanies the blood-drenched carnage in God of War 2. The orchestral pieces, in conjunction with the wonderful sounds of tearing flesh, screaming Sirens, and even the war cry of Kratos himself, makes for a game that is best played on the biggest surround-sound speakers you can find.
God of War 2’s gameplay has created some of the most enjoyable gaming moments I have experienced in recent years. The game essentially consists of three mechanics – combat, platforming, and puzzle solving. The most enjoyable of the three is undoubtedly the combat, particularly as it pertains to the boss battles. The opening boss battle with the Colossus of Rhodes will leave you agape – an epic, sprawling battle against a 100-foot tall statue. No other title on the market so effectively presents a sense of scale like this, and furthermore, never before have thirty-minute boss battles been this exciting.
Some other little treats have been added to the game also, such as several flying mini-games, where you ride the winged horse Pegasus and whilst doing so, must battle hordes of enemies. The mini-games from the first game have returned in style, also, namely the combat-based games which involve the player pressing the correct controller buttons to execute devastation finishing moves on your foes. The true potential of this mechanic is greater and greater realised as the game progresses – as the dangerous enemies increase in size, so does the scale of the attacks which you finish them off with. To say that these sections of the game are exhilarating is an understatement.
Seasoned veterans of the first game shouldn’t have too much trouble beating this game – it’s not terribly difficult, but at the same time not ridiculously easy. Some puzzles may take a little time to figure out, and some bosses may take a few attempts, but by and large the average gamer will be able to beat the game in 12-15 hours. However, if you do find yourself in a spot of trouble, if you die five times in a row, the game will offer you the chance to change to Easy Mode if you so wish.
It’s said far more than it should be, but in this instance it rings true – God of War 2 is a masterpiece. Visually arresting, and boasting gameplay that will undoubtedly be imitated for years to come, this game is a virtually faultless work of art. Whilst at first glance not a huge build on the original game (which in itself was a masterpiece of a game), God of War 2 provides a gaming experience that is presently unrivalled. Your adrenaline will rush, you will love it, and you won’t be able to put the controller down. Games of this sheer quality come along only every couple of years, and as the PS2’s gears grind to halt, what better game for the platform to end on? If you have a PS2 (and even if you don’t), you need to buy this game.
10/10.
Thanks for reading,
Reefer