The Observer, April 6, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 23
Even Zeus is no match for God of War II
At first glance, God of War II seems practically identical to its legendary predecessor. The story directly follows the events of the first game, the graphics have only been improved marginally (at least on a technical level), and the Blades of Athena are still the only weapons worth upgrading. However, for all of the similarities between the two games, God of War II manages to feel even more exhilarating than the first game, with elaborate set-pieces and towering foes. The level designs and boss fights are so clever that a sense of déjà vu rarely sets in.
Having defeated Ares in part one, one would think Kratos would be content. However, his more hands-on approach with the wars of Sparta has concerned his godly colleagues. Zeus deceives Kratos and strips him of his power, setting in motion the grey anti-hero's second quest for revenge. Thanks to excellent pacing and interactive cut-scenes, the narrative never feels intrusive. Most action games treat their stories as excuses for heroes to beat up random thugs, but God of War II was clearly designed around Kratos' struggles to return to Olympus. The first game remains more engaging in this regard because it dealt with his tragic past, but this second adventure is just as memorable.
The core mechanics of God of War II should be instantly familiar to fans of the original, as they remain mostly untouched. Combat is still a combo-heavy exercise in button-mashing, as smaller monsters rarely put up a fight. A few new spells do spice things up a bit, but the developers should have done a better job of designing Kratos' secondary weapons. A powerful hammer, a magical spear, and eventually the Sword of Olympus can all be obtained, but they have significant drawbacks compared to the more versatile blades chained to his arms. Puzzles are also scattered throughout, but too many of them are of the block-pushing variety.
Some monotonous battles and tedious puzzles are definitely annoying, but they cannot substantially detract from what is essentially the most epic action game I have ever played. The architecture found throughout the game is awe-inspiring, particularly the more fantastical elements such as the gold-plated "Steeds of Time." However, even the tallest structures are no match for the Titans. These valuable allies make even Shadow of the Colussus' monsters look miniscule. It is miraculous that the aging PS2 is able to create such incredible sights.
While most of the fights handle the same, God of War II introduces some new moves that make traveling through the world a joy. Kratos can now swing across chasms with his chains or glide over them with his Icarus wings. Additionally, he can imitate the Prince of Persia by slowing down time. Thanks to these new abilities and a very smart camera, platforming is even more precise than it was in the first game.
There are many scenes beyond those covered in this review that easily make God of War II an instant classic. Cruising through the sky using an on-rails Pegasus, climbing up Atlas' arm to escape from the underworld, or even pulling off a 500-hit combo – these moments will definitely stay with me for years to come. The only downside to this game is that you'll feel obligated to buy the eventual PS3 conclusion to the trilogy (in a sense, a $700 price tag). If this is what Sony's teams can do on five year-old hardware, I cannot even fathom the possibilities for the next-gen God of War.
