--Kratos, God of War
"Ares, there is nothing you can put in my way to stop me. I will save my family!"
--Kratos, God of War
"If all on Olympus will deny me my vengeance, then all on Olympus will die. I have lived in the shadow of the gods for long enough. The time of the gods has come to an end!"
--Kratos, God of War II
This will be my first attempt at a game review, which I will sporadically post from time to time. The game analyzed is the God of War Collection for the PlayStation Vita, the successor to the handheld console called the PSP. I'm sure it surprises some people to learn that I play something like God of War*, but my entertainment choices often seem unusual for someone of my personality and worldview. Despite being a committed philosopher and strong Christian, I love horror movies, dark novels, and games like the one this review covers. In fact, I do not love them in spite of my worldview but often because of it, but that is something to elaborate on and clarify another time.
The God of War series has a reputation as a franchise with some of the most violent and epic moments in gaming history (especially near the end of the franchise chronology!), and, of course, everything it has become emerged because of the success of the first two games. God of War and God of War II, both contained in the God of War Collection, represented perhaps unparalleled spectacle upon their initial releases, and the two classics managed to depict a fascinating and bleak universe set amidst Greek mythology. Together telling a tale of darkness, despair, chaos, and vengeance--a tale of a Spartan demigod named Kratos--they formed the foundation for a legendary series that has entertained many.
And now I will deliver the review itself (all photos displayed are screenshots taken by myself by pressing the PlayStation home and start buttons simultaneously).
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| The beginning of Kratos' journey. |
Graphically, the games look fantastic for PS2 titles merely ported to the handheld PS Vita. The videos that do not use the in-game engine haven't been updated graphically, however, so they can look terrible at times. The visuals do not even begin to approach the near-unparalleled high definition quality of God of War III for the PS3 and PS4 [1], but they are sufficient for a port of older games transferred to a handheld platform. Gameplay runs at a consistently smooth framerate. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the production values is imagining how breathtaking these two games would have seemed back in 2005 and 2007, yet they have survived as engaging classics that showcase an energetic and memorable story. The voice acting, animations, and score combine to present a beautifully coherent and engaging experience.
The soundtrack in these games matched the epic scale and themes woven into this brutal world where gods and goddesses assist an antiheroes in a crusade to kill a deity and where Greek mythology leaps from ancient manuscripts into a realized digital universe. There are particular moments where the grand score truly immerses one in the game, such as in the first God of War when Kratos stands on a great cliff and observes from a distance as a monstrously-sized Ares (see the story section to learn about the identity of Ares) decimates the troops of Athens. During this a wonderful theme captures the magnitude and scale of the moment. Of course, the classic God of War theme presented on the menu screen of the original game is exciting and nostalgic. The End Begins, the epic music played as the Titans scale Mount Olympus to defeat the gods, is perhaps the most renowned part of the score from God of War II.
So all in all, the production values for these games were astronomical for their time and still hold up quite well. But this Vita port does have an odd and frustrating glitch--trophies will not unlock if the player leaves either game to visit the home menu. To avert this problem, simply do not press the PlayStation home button while playing either title, save often so you can access earlier points if needed, and reset the game if you accidentally press the button.
Gameplay
God of War II, a noticeably longer game than its predecessor, contains more gameplay variety than the previous outing. The improvements made to the style and gameplay shine, introducing sections where Kratos rides a Pegasus and new types of secrets. These secrets include additional costumes, collectible urns that unlock new abilities upon a second playthrough, and an arena mode where the player can determine the quantity and types of enemies to be fought. Both the first and second game, however, possess videos (sometimes making-of footage or videos providing background information about the story) and a bonus challenge mode, the completion of which will unlock other secondary features.
I actually started comparing these games to those in the Legend of Zelda series because of how both are well-known for their puzzles, items, and bosses. They also seem similar at times to the renowned Prince of Persia trilogy from the same console era because of the combination of combat, platforming, the linear level progression, and the cinematic style both share. Still, these two games perfected a formula that remains distinct.
And for those who are wondering, yes, the infernal challenge 10 of the bonus gameplay mode called challenge of the gods can indeed be beaten, but the easiest method of completing involves constantly using the parry move to hurl those infuriating satyrs off of the tiny platform.
Story
God of War chronology:
1. God of War: Ascension (PS3)
2. God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP, PS3)
3. God of War (PS2, PS3, PS Vita)
4. God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP, PS3)
5. God of War II (PS2, PS3, PS Vita)
6. God of War III (PS3, PS4)
7. God of War (currently unreleased; PS4)
(Some spoilers are below).
While the trajectory of the story shifts from game to game, God of War presents the story of a Spartan general named Kratos who pledges himself to serve Ares, the god of war, in exchange for the preservation of his life in a battle that otherwise would have extinguished it. He submits himself fully to the will of Ares after obtaining victory, yet in order to fashion Kratos into what he considers a true warrior the god misleads him into killing his cherished family. This is not revealed immediately, but in dramatic and well-time spurts. At the beginning of the game other characters fear Kratos for some deed he committed in the past, yet the exact nature of his actions remains unclear until later on, when the player realizes that Kratos accidentally killed his wife and daughter. Renouncing himself from service to Ares, Kratos then seeks to kill the god who he feels betrayed him. After he eventually kills Ares, Kratos replaces him as the new residing god of war on Mount Olympus, with God of War II following the events of the prior story.
The second installment sees Zeus and Kratos clash, Zeus overpowering him and sending him to Hades. The Titan Gaia intervenes and helps Kratos escape, freeing him to pursue vengeance. The ghost of Sparta, a name attached to the "protagonist", then ascends from Hades and commences a plot to kill Zeus. To do so he must locate the three Sisters of Fate and harness their power of time travel, for their power alone can enable him to achieve victory against the ruler of the Olympian deities. Concluding with a massive cliffhanger, the end of God of War II is directly where God of War III begins.
As I played my thoughts drifted to the polytheism and pagan deities featured in the game. If anyone is an adherent of a modern religion, they must produce evidence that the gods of Olympus are nonexistent but the deity they choose to follow is not. Christians, I'm talking especially to you. Playing something like God of War should remind us of the reasons we can epistemologically know that Jesus is real but Zeus isn't. Don't claim you don't believe in the Greco-Roman gods and goddesses because there is no evidence for them and then turn around and believe in Yahweh or Jesus if you haven't processed the evidence for them either.
Intellectual Content
The iconic puzzles incorporated into the gameplay are surprisingly quite at home. One can find both relaxation and intellectual stimulation and elated triumph at solving some of them, as they provide both a temporary break from relentless combat and the occasional legitimate challenge.
Of course, any summary of the game's intellectual content must address the prominent mythological landscape. Simply thinking about or playing through Greek mythology raises spiritual, philosophical, and theistic questions that no one should avoid. If we can accurately call the theological beliefs of Homer and Hesiod mythology, on what basis do we not call Christianity nothing but mythology as well? There is no justification whatsoever for believing in morality if there is no god or goddess, but what of the atrocities perpetrated by the gods in Greek mythology? If the gods are the ontological basis of right and wrong, then is it wrong for Ares to deceive Kratos into killing his wife and daughter or for Zeus to rape humans (this is not in the games but in the mythological background the games come from)? If the actions of Zeus and Ares are wrong, then there must be a moral standard higher than them, which means there is a deity above them, which means Ares and Zeus aren't really gods at all. Polytheistic morality fails in all regards (yes, my mind contemplates things like this when I play a video game.
The game does not make an actual philosophical case for revenge or suggest that people imitate Kratos in his unquenchable rage. Kratos is certainly no hero to emulate, as he is psychopathic, murderous, abusive, and undeniably selfish, but the scale and grand mythological setting of God of War demands admiration, especially for a game so old. Yet he does not start out as the psychopathic egoist he becomes by God of War III. Over the series players can truly see his metamorphosis from a flawed but sometimes relatable figure to the personification of revenge, malice, and selfishness. Perhaps unintentionally, the arc of the character allows him to serve as a notable example of a tragic Greek hero, with his hamartia ("fatal flaw") only becoming known over time.
Conclusion
Action and adventure genre players will likely enjoy obtaining trophies for each title in the collection and wish the experience could have been prolonged. I cannot think of a more awe-inspiring video game about Greek mythology, not can I think of a game that has tried to capture a more epic scale than those in the series that started with the two games in this port collection.
Yes, it is very possible to be a highly sophisticated philosopher, a deep Christian, and a dedicated gamer. Yes, a Christian can play and enjoy even a game like God of War as long as it doesn't violate his or her conscience (the principle found in Romans 14). Soon, I will have to upload a post on the philosophical, Christian rationalist position on gaming itself, so consider this review an appetizer.
In short, the God of War Collection for PS Vita is a wonderful place to play the first two God of War games if you missed or skipped them on the PS2. Having two separate and masterful games for the price of one--on a handheld platform--means this collection has great value. Ascending far above many other games of its type, God of War is a thought-provoking, immersive, rewarding game that I will certainly not forget. Anyone who feels comfortable playing something of this type should not forfeit the opportunity to purchase and experience it.
I now eagerly await the chance to play God of War III [1] and the upcoming God of War for the PS4 set amidst Norse mythology!
[Edit: Tonight I obtained the platinum trophy for God of War II, meaning I have unlocked all the achievements. Yesterday I finished my speedrun of God of War I and achieved the platinum trophy for the first game. These represent my first two platinums, and I wouldn't have selected any other games for the honor of being my first two.]
*Content
1. Violence: The game features combat that is very violent but not very graphic. There is plenty of blood but no genuine gore that I can remember, and much of the violence and death is inflicted on non-human entities like undead soldiers, skeletons, hydras, sirens, gorgons, centaurs, satyrs, and minotaurs. There is a sequence where the player must burn a caged soldier as a human sacrifice to Poseidon in Pandora's Temple, and moments like this confirm the depravity of the game's "protagonist". To call the games violent is accurate, but to call them gory or graphic is incorrect.
2. Sexuality: In each title in the collection there is a completely gratuitous sex minigame, but fortunately in both games this can be skipped in its entirety. Even if the player chooses to initiate the minigames I have read that they are just quick-time event button prompts while the player's actions occur wholly offscreen.
3. Nudity: Some female enemies like gorgons (including Medusa) have exposed breasts.
[1]. http://thechristianrationalist.blogspot.com/2016/12/game-review-god-of-war-iii-remastered.html
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