[Official Review] God of War III - Monday, March 8th

[MonkeyFinger]

Put me in the camp of not liking the new QTE button placements.

Ideally I thought it would be great, but in reality it's very distracting.  Heavy Rain's QTE style is better (although I don't like the game in general).

Funny, just found the part of the Guide where they introduce the QTE... err, the CSA or 'Context Sensitive Actions' changes when you first hit them in game. It says:

This is intended to help you know what to do without taking your eyes off the action. For example, (O) commands appear on the right side of the screen and the controller. Keep your eyes centered, use your peripheral vision to watch for input commands. For some monsters, these button combinations are random. For this Tentacle, however, the button sequence is SQ, SQ, SQ, SQ.

About what I figured, I'll see how this works out when I get back to the game tonight.

[Kevin Grey]

Spoiler for Hiden:

Also, did Hades have an item that you could use in a next playthrough?  I never found anything from him.

Spoiler for Hiden:

 I think so.  I want to say that it's at the bottom of the first area that you can go swimming in after you defeat him.

[leo8877]

Spoiler for Hiden:

Also, did Hades have an item that you could use in a next playthrough?  I never found anything from him.

Spoiler for Hiden:

 I think so.  I want to say that it's at the bottom of the first area that you can go swimming in after you defeat him.

Unrelated, but KG no end game impressions from you?  Are you not done yet?

[Kevin Grey]

Unrelated, but KG no end game impressions from you?  Are you not done yet?

Finished it last night.

I loved it but I think GoW 2 is the basic game in the series.  GoW 3 is definitely second place though.  I think the environments and enemies in Part 2 were just a bit more inspired.  And not that I found GoW3  particularly short, but I think GoW2's longer game time allowed a bit more time to play with different tactics. 

However I love the fighting mechanics in GoW 3.  Most of the changes seemed minor but they added up to a smoother, more fluid fighting experience.  I'll definitely have to give Titan mode a try.

I also really liked the story (which seems to be a disappointment to a lot of people).  I think it did a good job at dealing with Kratos' character and I loved how they tied in elements from the other games. 

I did have one major disappointment- the music.  It was very bland.  GoW 1&2's soundtracks are iconic to me (one piece in particular, which gets a reprise in GoW 3 during the

Spoiler for Hiden:

Hercules

fight is one of my favorite pieces of videogame music ever).  I didn't think any of the new tracks from GoW 3 were memorable at all. 

[leo8877]

I did have one major disappointment- the music.  It was very bland.  GoW 1&2's soundtracks are iconic to me (one piece in particular, which gets a reprise in GoW 3 during the

Spoiler for Hiden:

Hercules

fight is one of my favorite pieces of videogame music ever).  I didn't think any of the new tracks from GoW 3 were memorable at all. 

I really liked the music from this one, in particular the title screen theme, I think it's called Rage of Sparta and the theme that played when you

Spoiler for Hiden:

Were in Tartarus

were my favorite selections.  I rather enjoyed it all.

Regarding the ending:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Do you think Kratos is alive/dead?  Sony has said they want to continue the series, what could they possibly do other than filler stories like CoO was.  Something in the past, like that?

[leo8877]

Also, those challenges are ridiculously hard.  I've done 3 of the Challenge of Olympus and I'm not sure I'll be able to finish the others...which sucks because it's tied to the Combat Arena?  What exactly is the Combat Arena?

[Kevin Grey]

Regarding the ending:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Do you think Kratos is alive/dead?  Sony has said they want to continue the series, what could they possibly do other than filler stories like CoO was.  Something in the past, like that?

Ending spoilers:

Spoiler for Hiden:

 I think they gave him some wiggle room to be alive with the bit in the post credits scene.  No way do the corporate overlords allow them to just end the series.  I expect that first they will try to make a GoW 4 with a new character and perhaps a new setting (given the ending of GoW 3, even if Kratos was alive there is nothing left of Olympus, the Gods, etc).  But if it doesn't work out to Sony standards then I expect that Kratos and the Gods will be resurrected in short order.

There are some hints that we will get a new filler game soon (a website that you get a link to if you get a Platinum trophy).  I think someone noticed a reference to Atlantis in GoW 3 so that could be a hint (just as they put a reference to Atlas and Kratos' prior relationshikp in CoO into GoW 2).  So we will probably get a PSP or PSN in between game in the next year or so.  

[leo8877]

Wow hard is a lot more difficult than normal.  I got my ass handed to me on the first boss about 15 times and even got the old "do you want easy mode prompt".  Finally beat it, but only because of the liberal implementation of checkpoints during the fight.

[leo8877]

Regarding the ending:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Do you think Kratos is alive/dead?  Sony has said they want to continue the series, what could they possibly do other than filler stories like CoO was.  Something in the past, like that?

Ending spoilers:

Spoiler for Hiden:

 I think they gave him some wiggle room to be alive with the bit in the post credits scene.  No way do the corporate overlords allow them to just end the series.  I expect that first they will try to make a GoW 4 with a new character and perhaps a new setting (given the ending of GoW 3, even if Kratos was alive there is nothing left of Olympus, the Gods, etc).  But if it doesn't work out to Sony standards then I expect that Kratos and the Gods will be resurrected in short order.

There are some hints that we will get a new filler game soon (a website that you get a link to if you get a Platinum trophy).  I think someone noticed a reference to Atlantis in GoW 3 so that could be a hint (just as they put a reference to Atlas and Kratos' prior relationshikp in CoO into GoW 2).  So we will probably get a PSP or PSN in between game in the next year or so.  

Spoiler for Hiden:

I started a hard mode playthrough last night and during the fight with Kratos, Poseidon says, "You will pay for what you did to Atlantis!".  I didn't really catch it my first playthrough.  I know it was looked into for a possible locale, I think for GoW1.  Cool stuff!!

[KePoW]

Finished it last night... awesome game all around.  I don't really see what was wrong with the ending (some people hated it?).

Obviously the GoW franchise will continue.

[Kevin Grey]

Regarding the ending:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Do you think Kratos is alive/dead?  Sony has said they want to continue the series, what could they possibly do other than filler stories like CoO was.  Something in the past, like that?

Ending spoilers:

Spoiler for Hiden:

  I think they gave him some wiggle room to be alive with the bit in the post credits scene.  No way do the corporate overlords allow them to just end the series.  I expect that first they will try to make a GoW 4 with a new character and perhaps a new setting (given the ending of GoW 3, even if Kratos was alive there is nothing left of Olympus, the Gods, etc).  But if it doesn't work out to Sony standards then I expect that Kratos and the Gods will be resurrected in short order.

There are some hints that we will get a new filler game soon (a website that you get a link to if you get a Platinum trophy).  I think someone noticed a reference to Atlantis in GoW 3 so that could be a hint (just as they put a reference to Atlas and Kratos' prior relationshikp in CoO into GoW 2).  So we will probably get a PSP or PSN in between game in the next year or so. 

Spoiler for Hiden:

I started a hard mode playthrough last night and during the fight with Kratos, Poseidon says, "You will pay for what you did to Atlantis!".  I didn't really catch it my first playthrough.  I know it was looked into for a possible locale, I think for GoW1.  Cool stuff!!

Spoiler for Hiden:

Yeah, that sounds exactly like the Atlas reference in GoW 2.  I expect that confirms some sort of side title coming soon. 

[leo8877]

Regarding voice cast:

Spoiler for Hiden:

I was rereading the review on GT and it mentions that Michael Clarke Duncan is back as Atlas, but I don't recall Atlas having a role in this game?  Where was he?

[spigot]

I finished it this past weekend as well and enjoyed the whole ride. Maybe it's just me, but length-wise the game felt shorter than GoW2. I was satisfied with the ending though.

Using Kevin Sorbo to voice Hercules was a cute nod, although I would've wish that battle ended with Kratos

Spoiler for Hiden:

cutting off one of Hercules arms, still attached to a Cestus, and beating him to a bloody death with it

[Kevin Grey]

I finished it this past weekend as well and enjoyed the whole ride. Maybe it's just me, but length-wise the game felt shorter than GoW2. I was satisfied with the ending though.

Definitely a fair amount shorter than GoW 2 (which is one of the reasons I prefer the second game because it gave everything a bit more breathing room).  A little longer than GoW 1. 

[leo8877]

I finished it this past weekend as well and enjoyed the whole ride. Maybe it's just me, but length-wise the game felt shorter than GoW2. I was satisfied with the ending though.

Definitely a fair amount shorter than GoW 2 (which is one of the reasons I prefer the second game because it gave everything a bit more breathing room).  A little longer than GoW 1. 

I finished on normal in 10 hours, almost on the dot.  Much shorter than GoW2 for me.

[Dimmona]

I finished this last night.   I have a hard time deciding whether I liked it better than GoW2, but overall awesome game - the only thing for me that really dragged it down near the end (and GoW1 had the same problem) was:

Spoiler for Hiden:

The Labyrinth.   Not sure why as the puzzles were straightforward and what not, but compared to the rest of the game jumping around on large cardboard boxes and replaying that same stupid Icarus tunnel segment over and over just wasn't going it for me.

The ending disappointed me a little bit as well:

Spoiler for Hiden:

So Kratos is finally able to forgive himself and seems headed on the road to redemption, and then decides to kill himself?   And if he truly wanted to die, then why crawl over the cliff afterwards?

I must say - the opening boss fight is still my favorite moment in any GoW game

[leo8877]

I finished this last night.   I have a hard time deciding whether I liked it better than GoW2, but overall awesome game - the only thing for me that really dragged it down near the end (and GoW1 had the same problem) was:

Spoiler for Hiden:

The Labyrinth.   Not sure why as the puzzles were straightforward and what not, but compared to the rest of the game jumping around on large cardboard boxes and replaying that same stupid Icarus tunnel segment over and over just wasn't going it for me.

The ending disappointed me a little bit as well:

Spoiler for Hiden:

So Kratos is finally able to forgive himself and seems headed on the road to redemption, and then decides to kill himself?   And if he truly wanted to die, then why crawl over the cliff afterwards?

I must say - the opening boss fight is still my favorite moment in any GoW game

Spoiler for Hiden:

Maybe Kratos didn't crawl off the cliff, maybe he was pulled!  Or maybe he wasn't dead so he jumped off to finish the job, a la beginning of GoW1.

Also, I wasn't too fond of the flying parts either.  On Hard, I died quite a few times going up the first time. 

[Kevin Grey]

Spoiler for Hiden:

So Kratos is finally able to forgive himself and seems headed on the road to redemption, and then decides to kill himself?   And if he truly wanted to die, then why crawl over the cliff afterwards?

End spoilers:

Spoiler for Hiden:

 I think he killed himself because as long as he had the power of Pandora's Box then he would always be a target for manipulation from others who wanted power or would be tempted to exert the power himself.  If he truly wanted to allow mortals to have control over their own lives and be completely free of the influence of the Gods then he had to remove the power of Pandora's Box from the world.  

Re: the flying parts.  I quite liked them though I can how they could be frustrating on higher difficulties.  It seemed like they tightened the controls for those sections significantly from the demo. 

[KePoW]

Yeah, the controls are definitely improved from the demo.

[TheMissingLink]

Finished it. Amazing. A word that's probably overused to describe some games but really applies here is epic. One jaw-dropping moment to the next. Jeez. It's going to be weird playing other stuff now 

[Roman]

I just beat Hermes last night as well. Kratos' method of dispatching him was very satisfying to say the least 

This game is just too beautiful. I think I am in love.

Roman

[Chaz]

Finished it yesterday.  It was definitely gorgeous, and some of the setpieces were amazing.

I still can't really get into the combat.  I've played all three main games in the series, and it still feels unnatural to me.  It says something that a few hours after I finished GoW3, I started the Wolverine game, and thought that Wolverine's combat system felt much better to me than GoW's.  The combat mechanics in 3 were definitely an improvement over the first two, but don't compare to other games like Bayonetta.

Now I just have to decide if I want to keep it, or Goozex it for 1200 points.  I'm leaning toward Goozex.

[leo8877]

I just beat Hermes last night as well. Kratos' method of dispatching him was very satisfying to say the least 

This game is just too beautiful. I think I am in love.

Roman

I was leaning towards spoiler, but then I was reminded that it is Kratos' job to kill EVERYONE!!!!   

[Roman]

I just beat Hermes last night as well. Kratos' method of dispatching him was very satisfying to say the least 

This game is just too beautiful. I think I am in love.

Roman

I was leaning towards spoiler, but then I was reminded that it is Kratos' job to kill EVERYONE!!!!   

ya I thought about spoiler too - but then figured that everyone knows he kills everything in his path.....  I tried to be vague - if you can consider his predefined outcome as vague.

Roman

[Ridah]

Just finished on normal difficulty, beautiful and awesome game. This was my first God of War, I missed them on the PS2 so the characters, story, and world were completely new to me. Still, not really knowing much of the story from the previous games I had no problem getting into it at this point. Kratos is such an awesome character, he should be an inspiration to all of us! I know that sounds odd, but I love how he always remains persistent and never lets anyone sway him from his path.

Loved it so much I'm ordering the GoW Collection right now!

I'm expecting this to be my game of the year, but I would certainly welcome a contender.

[Kevin Grey]

Loved it so much I'm ordering the GoW Collection right now!

Good choice.  For all of the refinements made in GoW 3, I think the second game is the best in the series. 

[leo8877]

Loved it so much I'm ordering the GoW Collection right now!

Good choice.  For all of the refinements made in GoW 3, I think the second game is the best in the series. 

If you have a PSP don't forget Chains of Olympus!  It's a good entry as well.

[Teggy]

LTTP, I just finished this up. As expected, I bounced down to easy during

Spoiler for Hiden:

the second part of the "Street Fighter" part of

the final battle.

It's just me, I've never been a fan of standard boss battles, especially ones where you are not given any indication of your progress. I really liked that almost half of the bosses in the game were non-traditional, where platforming and climbing were just as important as how much damage you were dealing.

Some of the jumping controls were a little frustrating this go-round, but overall I was very happy with the puzzles and platforming. I think I had a similar experience with the combat to most people - switching between weapons was very easy and I often used the cestus and chains of exile in tandem, but the hooks and shock things were kind of extraneous.

I also finished up just 3000 orbs short of the "maxed out" trophy

Regarding the ending, I thought it was a little weird when the game turned into a

Spoiler for Hiden:

Max Payne dream sequence.

I felt like they could have tightened that up a bit.

I also got a little confused during the point where you

Spoiler for Hiden:

beat Zeus to pulp. I guess if you keep hitting circle you can beat him forever. I finally decided to take my finger off for a little while to make sure the game wasn't broken

[wonderpug]

I also got a little confused during the point where you

Spoiler for Hiden:

beat Zeus to pulp. I guess if you keep hitting circle you can beat him forever. I finally decided to take my finger off for a little while to make sure the game wasn't broken

I thought that part was brilliant.  I love when games manage to trick the player into almost becoming the character for a moment.

[leo8877]

I have been replaying this on hard and I am at the last part of the last fight and it's been kicking my ass.  I give it about 10-15 tries every few days, but no dice.

[Teggy]

I have been replaying this on hard and I am at the last part of the last fight and it's been kicking my ass.  I give it about 10-15 tries every few days, but no dice.

Didn't we just establish that all you have to do is press circle?

[leo8877]

I have been replaying this on hard and I am at the last part of the last fight and it's been kicking my ass.  I give it about 10-15 tries every few days, but no dice.

Didn't we just establish that all you have to do is press circle?

I'm talking about the fight before that and after the SF style 2-D fight. 

Spoiler for Hiden:

Inside Gaia.  I get my ass handed to me when he starts spawning clones.

[leo8877]

Well I finally beat the game on hard.  I tried very hard and couldn't even get passed the first mini-boss.  So nuts to that!

[ATB]

I'm finally at a point in my life where I think I will take this game on.  Wonder if I still have my GOW chops

Might play a bit on hard until I get my sea legs and then give God difficulty a try.

[ATB]

Playing on Normal.

After a clumsy start, I'm back in the groove and remembering why I so LOVE this series.

[ATB]

Got  through the battle with Hades and have decided to start over on the Hard difficulty as normal was not particularly challenging.

[shon]

Got  through the battle with Hades and have decided to start over on the Hard difficulty as normal was not particularly challenging.

I tried hard last night and couldn't get past the first water horse. 

[leo8877]

Got  through the battle with Hades and have decided to start over on the Hard difficulty as normal was not particularly challenging.

I tried hard last night and couldn't get past the first water horse. 

That boss is the hardest part (on hard) until much later in the game.  It's much harder than a lot of stuff well afterwards.

[ATB]

Got  through the battle with Hades and have decided to start over on the Hard difficulty as normal was not particularly challenging.

I tried hard last night and couldn't get past the first water horse.  

It's just a matter of timing the dodges.  It took me a few times, but once I got the pattern it wasn't too bad. That's the thing on most of the GOW bosses...identify the pattern, avoid, chip away, wait for the QTE.  Oh and almost never use heavy attack.

Still, even knowing that pattern sometimes isn't enough as there are times it'll take me a dozen times or more to get past something  .  

I'm back to the Forge.

[USMC Kato]

Even now, I still can't believe how great this game looks. Probably the best intro level in an action game ever.