• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

God of War Ascension demo impressions

Try using R1 to grab an enemy, then triangle and a direction on the stick to manually throw them somewhere (perhaps at another enemy). I like tweaks like that.

I did do that. I guess it was fun to be able to throw them off ledges, I thought they'd hit some invisible barrier but they didn't.
 
She is a FURY. Above even the Gods and Titans.

To be fair the relationship between GOW and actual Greek Mythology has been ridiculous from the first game. It kind of saddens me how little they care about actual mythology. Greek Mythology is really cool and there is a lot that could be done with it in a way that respects it at least a little. The GOW series uses the mythology as little more than a bestiary.
 
To be fair the relationship between GOW and actual Greek Mythology has been ridiculous from the first game. It kind of saddens me how little they care about actual mythology. Greek Mythology is really cool and there is a lot that could be done with it in a way that respects it at least a little. The GOW series uses the mythology as little more than a bestiary.

It's used to facilitate fun & combat. Zeus's relationship with Kratos felt proper, though.
 
My biggest complaint against the game is that it felt samey. I feel like this could've been in GOW3 game.

I did really dig the expanded grappling system, you can do some interesting things while you have an enemy chained.
 
To be fair the relationship between GOW and actual Greek Mythology has been ridiculous from the first game. It kind of saddens me how little they care about actual mythology. Greek Mythology is really cool and there is a lot that could be done with it in a way that respects it at least a little. The GOW series uses the mythology as little more than a bestiary.

I don't consider actual greek mythology when looking at the games. But they establish the furies superiority over Gods and Titans in the opening narration. Then in the opening scene in the game, the fury immediately is fucks up the simplest of tasks. What, did she lose that arm by tripping and falling on her own leg thingies too?
 
My biggest complaint against the game is that it felt samey. I feel like this could've been in GOW3 game.

I did really dig the expanded grappling system, you can do some interesting things while you have an enemy chained.

Holding one enemy at bay & fighting another is pretty neat.
 
I am glad that L1+square no longer does the Spartan Rage or whatever it was called. I can't tell you how many times in previous titles i just wanted to block but went into an uncancellable spin/rage mode.
 
While this demo tops every GoW's opening in scale it doesn't do that in intensity and here's why:

-Nearly every move is locked unlike GoW 2 and 3's openings.
-The music is barely there and is not good.
-Not enough enemies to fight.
-The story is told in flashbacks and this opening is a part of it,hence the 'what?' at the beginning.


GoW 2 and 3 had a fully upgraded kratos at the beginning.

Agree with you completely
 
Well already saw the demo on IGN so nothing surprised me. I like the new grapples and how you can throw your blade into one enemy and still hit another with the other blade.
Maybe I wasn't paying attention, but how do you go into Spartan/Rage mode? It used to be L3+R3.

I liked the mini-boss fight where you fighting on a 2d platform. That was pretty fun.
Not sure why Kratos had to take his time strolling through a cellar. I mean, walking? I wanted to sprint on through it. Upgraded my Blades of Chaos once. Occasionally switched to my sword mid-combos to mix it up. His moveset is somewhat different from GoW 3 and SSM improving the combat. It's more of the same.

Maybe if I haven't already seen the demo before hand, I would be more impressed. So this is a prequel, after GoW 1 but before GoW 2? My impressions for it is lukewarm from what I've seen.
 
It's a prequel why would you expect otherwise?
I don't but the point still stands,at the time of GoW 1 it's basic combat system was fresh and new and after playing 5 other GoW games it's not anymore,I think they should have made more moves available from the get go.
 
I don't but the point still stands,at the time of GoW 1 it's basic combat system was fresh and new and after playing 5 other GoW games it's not anymore,I think they should have made more moves available from the get go.

Why?

Dante had shit for moves in dmc3 to start, same with most actions games outside of god of war 2 and 3.
 
Why?

Dante had shit for moves in dmc3 to start, same with most actions games outside of god of war 2 and 3.
I don't care what any other game does when talking about GoW because the limited basic move set does does not suit it well here,after 5 games having such a limited move set isn't good,they should have added a few more and then went on from there.In fact that Gamescom demo was the best showcase for the game's combat as that had so much more to play with.
 
Hey guys,

First, let's agree or agree to disagree - unless we're talking MS Flight Simulator, 99% of video games require your "suspension of disbelief", and our God of War franchise has always done that in epic proportions. If you watch our Unchained series, you'll see just how bat-sh** crazy we aim to stretch reality in the moments we want to bring to you. If you've played any God of War game, or all of them, you know barely a moment is grounded in realism.

Everyone has an argument on the above, but trying to ground God of War crazy moments (being turned around, twisted upside down by the 88th hand of a living prison) in "MS Flight Simulator" realism as I'd call it....that's an argument we can't invite ourselves further to, beyond these two paragraphs.


Thanks for the constructive demo feedback in this thread.

I don't want to spoil the story, but there is a rhyme and reason for every aspect of the demo, why Kratos is chained up in Hecaton, why the Fury "Megaera" is in the current state she is (and where are her sisters?), why he feels "under-powered" in comparison to being fully upgraded in GOW 2 / 3 (which was apart of the story remember, and this is before he becomes "a God"), etc. The story in Ascension is told in a very different way than any GoW prior. It'll make sense when you play the final game. We're not trying to go all JJ Abrams on you, but we changed up the formula from what you're used to, for good reason.

The opening 30-mins gives you a sense of the new "basic combat", but hardly the depth. We can't accomplish that in the first 30-mins and do it justice.

What you will find beyond the first 30-mins in the final game is a quicker than usual GoW ascension to getting to that "combat depth", whereas in past GoW games, you're getting some of the best weapons and moves, but not until the last hour of the game. You may not feel the depth in complex moves and magics in the first 30, but as many of you have stated, let the final game be the judge.


My opinion here is objective and neutral based on my knowledge of our final game, having played all the way through it, and being a die-had hardcore GoW fan myself.

Everyone's opinion is well respected and heard, so keep bringing it, we are the God of War team of Sony Santa Monica, and this is what we work 24/7 around the clock for.

Cheers,
Tank
 
Hey guys,

My opinion here is objective and neutral based on my knowledge of our final game, having played all the way through it, and being a die-had hardcore GoW fan myself.

Everyone's opinion is well respected and heard, so keep bringing it, we are the God of War team of Sony Santa Monica, and this is what we work 24/7 around the clock for.

Cheers,
Tank
i'm a fan of the new combat mechanics, but what felt odd to me in the demo is the gore.. it felt toned down and/or turned off ? Just_Tank do you know if the game has a stereoscopic tv mode(3d tv mode)?

I found no options to enable blood or anything, but I recall GOW3 being a brutally bloodier game. Also its a huge shame how the enemy models disappear so quickly. I would rather no-clip through them than just watch them all vaporize every half a second.

Framerate felt fine for what it was doing. Texture quality was really up, made me think of PC games. No offense to the community manager up there, but playing the demo has made me less hyped to play the actually game. Reviews from websites could bring me back in though if it receives the same praise as GOWII. I do wish the creative director wouldn't change every-time there's a main release.
 
i'm a fan of the new combat mechanics, but what felt odd to me in the demo is the gore.. it felt toned down and/or turned off ? Just_Tank do you know if the game has a stereoscopic tv mode(3d tv mode)?

I found no options to enable blood or anything, but I recall GOW3 being a brutally bloodier game. Also its a huge shame how the enemy models disappear so quickly. I would rather no-clip through them than just watch them all vaporize every half a second.

Framerate felt fine for what it was doing. Texture quality was really up, made me think of PC games. No offense to the community manager up there, but playing the demo has made me less hyped to play the actually game. Reviews from websites could bring me back in though if it receives the same praise as GOWII. I do wish the creative director wouldn't change every-time there's a main release.

Really? I remember slitting the throat of a giant beast with its own claw while fountains of blood poured out. I also remember disemboweling a Cyclops. And if you played the E3 demo, you did brain surgery on a giant elephant warrior. Nah, I'm sorry but I disagree with you on the gore.
 
Just finished the demo and I am kind of disappointed. I agree with everyone who is saying that kratos should have had more powers and movesets than what was given to him in the opening. The gamescom demo was so much better than this one in terms of combat.

Another thing is the opening. It just pales in comparison to the GOW3 opening. I would have played the GOW3 opening sequence so many times. Seriously it was like the most perfect fusion of art, technology and exemplary camera work. This one just does not give me the adrenaline rush that 3 did. Maybe I am just over the series. Also the visuals do not look better than GOW3. I dont know how people can say it looks better. Please look at Cronos's finger nail and compare the amount of texture work on that alone to the boss here.

All in all I may not be purchasing it unless reviews convince me otherwise. First the lame MGR and now this disappointing demo and here I thought this will be the year for great hack and slash games.
 
Just finished the demo and I am kind of disappointed. I agree with everyone who is saying that kratos should have had more powers and movesets than what was given to him in the opening. The gamescom demo was so much better than this one in terms of combat.

Another thing is the opening. It just pales in comparison to the GOW3 opening. I would have played the GOW3 opening sequence so many times. Seriously it was like the most perfect fusion of art, technology and exemplary camera work. This one just does not give me the adrenaline rush that 3 did. Maybe I am just over the series. Also the visuals do not look better than GOW3. I dont know how people can say it looks better. Please look at Cronos's finger nail and compare the amount of texture work on that alone to the boss here.

All in all I may not be purchasing it unless reviews convince me otherwise. First the lame MGR and now this disappointing demo and here I thought this will be the year for great hack and slash games.

I'm not sure why you think MGR is lame, but it's been pretty surprising year for me so far. First with the fact that DmC actually is a pretty fun game, and second that MGR actually turned out to be pretty damn good after it's development hell.

Hoping for 4/4 once God of war and Bayonetta 2 hit.
 
Really? I remember slitting the throat of a giant beast with its own claw while fountains of blood poured out. I also remember disemboweling a Cyclops. And if you played the E3 demo, you did brain surgery on a giant elephant warrior. Nah, I'm sorry but I disagree with you on the gore.

I guess all those flies made the game look less gory - because at least for me killing them was neither special nor bloody.
 
Just finished the demo and I am kind of disappointed. I agree with everyone who is saying that kratos should have had more powers and movesets than what was given to him in the opening. The gamescom demo was so much better than this one in terms of combat.

Another thing is the opening. It just pales in comparison to the GOW3 opening. I would have played the GOW3 opening sequence so many times. Seriously it was like the most perfect fusion of art, technology and exemplary camera work. This one just does not give me the adrenaline rush that 3 did. Maybe I am just over the series. Also the visuals do not look better than GOW3. I dont know how people can say it looks better. Please look at Cronos's finger nail and compare the amount of texture work on that alone to the boss here.

All in all I may not be purchasing it unless reviews convince me otherwise. First the lame MGR and now this disappointing demo and here I thought this will be the year for great hack and slash games.

The lighting has definitely been improved I would say, and there are less low res textures...but otherwise it is an incremental bump. GoW3 was obviously already pushing the PS3 hard. That said, the octopus fight seen in the newest trailer looks >Gow 3
 
I guess all those flies made the game look less gory - because at least for me killing them was neither special nor bloody.

I can definitely see that. The flies are a bit underwhelming. That E3 demo is only like 10 minutes but it's much more enjoyable. I think it's because of the enemy types and what's unlocked for Kratos to use right off the bat. I did like the new demo though. The only gameplay issue I had is when you're fighting the first hand monster thing, and the world flips so you have to jump down in those holes to avoid its swiping attacks. Jumping out of those holes was unnecessarily difficult and that part of the fight was annoying because that the best way to hit the enemy was to jump and attack. Seemed more like a chore than a mid boss fight.

To be fair, the demo cuts right before you fight this guy:

6Z67PEe.png


But I agree, pretty disappointing in comparison to GOW3's opening. Then again, everything is disappointing compared to that intro...

My demo doesn't get this far in. The demo I have ends when
you defeat the second hand monster and a different hand slams you into a wall
. Do I have an older demo? I think I'm going to download the new NEW one especially since my download wasn't nearly 4gb.
 
I can definitely see that. The flies are a bit underwhelming. That E3 demo is only like 10 minutes but it's much more enjoyable. I think it's because of the enemy types and what's unlocked for Kratos to use right off the bat. I did like the new demo though. The only gameplay issue I had is when you're fighting the first hand monster thing, and the world flips so you have to jump down in those holes to avoid its swiping attacks. Jumping out of those holes was unnecessarily difficult and that part of the fight was annoying because that the best way to hit the enemy was to jump and attack. Seemed more like a chore than a mid boss fight.

I agree with you although I have to admit that I did not like that boss at all - so I probably percieved the "bad" gameplay/mechanics even stronger.
 
I can definitely see that. The flies are a bit underwhelming. That E3 demo is only like 10 minutes but it's much more enjoyable. I think it's because of the enemy types and what's unlocked for Kratos to use right off the bat. I did like the new demo though. The only gameplay issue I had is when you're fighting the first hand monster thing, and the world flips so you have to jump down in those holes to avoid its swiping attacks. Jumping out of those holes was unnecessarily difficult and that part of the fight was annoying because that the best way to hit the enemy was to jump and attack. Seemed more like a chore than a mid boss fight.



My demo doesn't get this far in. The demo I have ends when
you defeat the second hand monster and a different hand slams you into a wall
. Do I have an older demo? I think I'm going to download the new NEW one especially since my download wasn't nearly 4gb.
It's the same demo,this one's from the IGN preview.
 
Hey guys,

First, let's agree or agree to disagree - unless we're talking MS Flight Simulator, 99% of video games require your "suspension of disbelief", and our God of War franchise has always done that in epic proportions. If you watch our Unchained series, you'll see just how bat-sh** crazy we aim to stretch reality in the moments we want to bring to you. If you've played any God of War game, or all of them, you know barely a moment is grounded in realism.

Everyone has an argument on the above, but trying to ground God of War crazy moments (being turned around, twisted upside down by the 88th hand of a living prison) in "MS Flight Simulator" realism as I'd call it....that's an argument we can't invite ourselves further to, beyond these two paragraphs.


Thanks for the constructive demo feedback in this thread.

I don't want to spoil the story, but there is a rhyme and reason for every aspect of the demo, why Kratos is chained up in Hecaton, why the Fury "Megaera" is in the current state she is (and where are her sisters?), why he feels "under-powered" in comparison to being fully upgraded in GOW 2 / 3 (which was apart of the story remember, and this is before he becomes "a God"), etc. The story in Ascension is told in a very different way than any GoW prior. It'll make sense when you play the final game. We're not trying to go all JJ Abrams on you, but we changed up the formula from what you're used to, for good reason.

The opening 30-mins gives you a sense of the new "basic combat", but hardly the depth. We can't accomplish that in the first 30-mins and do it justice.

What you will find beyond the first 30-mins in the final game is a quicker than usual GoW ascension to getting to that "combat depth", whereas in past GoW games, you're getting some of the best weapons and moves, but not until the last hour of the game. You may not feel the depth in complex moves and magics in the first 30, but as many of you have stated, let the final game be the judge.


My opinion here is objective and neutral based on my knowledge of our final game, having played all the way through it, and being a die-had hardcore GoW fan myself.

Everyone's opinion is well respected and heard, so keep bringing it, we are the God of War team of Sony Santa Monica, and this is what we work 24/7 around the clock for.

Cheers,
Tank

I can't even begin to imagine what you guys will be able to do with the PS4.
 
Is there something up with the new demo?

I've loaded it up twice now, selected the demo and it's just froze during all the startup guf. Not even been able to get to the Press start screen or whatever yet :/
 
Yeah I know what you mean about the sound design. Sounded compressed and lacked any dynamic range. Hopefully its just a compression issue.

In the sound options, the surround option is Dolby Pro Logic II. There's no way the final game uses that.
 
Hey guys,

First, let's agree or agree to disagree - unless we're talking MS Flight Simulator, 99% of video games require your "suspension of disbelief", and our God of War franchise has always done that in epic proportions. If you watch our Unchained series, you'll see just how bat-sh** crazy we aim to stretch reality in the moments we want to bring to you. If you've played any God of War game, or all of them, you know barely a moment is grounded in realism.

Everyone has an argument on the above, but trying to ground God of War crazy moments (being turned around, twisted upside down by the 88th hand of a living prison) in "MS Flight Simulator" realism as I'd call it....that's an argument we can't invite ourselves further to, beyond these two paragraphs.


Thanks for the constructive demo feedback in this thread.

I don't want to spoil the story, but there is a rhyme and reason for every aspect of the demo, why Kratos is chained up in Hecaton, why the Fury "Megaera" is in the current state she is (and where are her sisters?), why he feels "under-powered" in comparison to being fully upgraded in GOW 2 / 3 (which was apart of the story remember, and this is before he becomes "a God"), etc. The story in Ascension is told in a very different way than any GoW prior. It'll make sense when you play the final game. We're not trying to go all JJ Abrams on you, but we changed up the formula from what you're used to, for good reason.

The opening 30-mins gives you a sense of the new "basic combat", but hardly the depth. We can't accomplish that in the first 30-mins and do it justice.

What you will find beyond the first 30-mins in the final game is a quicker than usual GoW ascension to getting to that "combat depth", whereas in past GoW games, you're getting some of the best weapons and moves, but not until the last hour of the game. You may not feel the depth in complex moves and magics in the first 30, but as many of you have stated, let the final game be the judge.


My opinion here is objective and neutral based on my knowledge of our final game, having played all the way through it, and being a die-had hardcore GoW fan myself.

Everyone's opinion is well respected and heard, so keep bringing it, we are the God of War team of Sony Santa Monica, and this is what we work 24/7 around the clock for.

Cheers,
Tank

This eases a lot of the concerns I had from the demo. Thanks for sharing!
 
Gave it a shot last night. I've been playing a lot of hack and slash games lately. I recently got the plat trophies in Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparda (GoS is awesome by the way--play it); I've been playing through Sigma Plus (which surprisingly plays well at 30 fps); and I'm about halfway through the new DmC.

I can't help but be a bit underwhelmed with Ascension, and it isn't because the game doesn't have all the moves unlocked. It comes down to a few things:

1. The game struggles to keep a consistent framerate, and I'm afraid Santa Monica tried to push the engine too far. I'm fine with dialing back the scale for a smoother experience.

2. Blocking doesn't have the tactile response I'm used to, and I'm not even sure if I'm blocking attacks. Blocking simply doesn't feel right. I know I can't parry--it isn't that--but something is off.

3. Why do I keep losing track of Kratos? I'm not sure if it is the way his weapon glows almost white when swinging it around or what it may be, but I've never had issues keeping track of Kratos in the previous GoW games.

The sound mix is also low. I'm not saying it is bad; it just seems to be mixed low. I had to crank my receiver up more than usual. I even checked to make sure what the source was on the receiver: PCM 7.1.

The new combat mechanics are fun, and you seem to have multiple options for crowd control now, but it doesn't quell my concerns.
 
HOLY SHIT!!!!

The demo was the definition of EPIC!!

My god, I'm so in for a treat when the full game arrives. I love certain changes and new combat moves. It made it feel fresher whilst keeping the core of the game fully intact.

My jaw was open pretty much throughout the demo. The scale... I didn't think GoWIII could be topped but these just takes the cake :o

Amazing!
 
I personally loved the demo.

from the beginning to end I had a massive grin. And for some reason, and I know it might sound odd, but the moment one of those bug enemies smashed through the door, it gave me chills. I think the animation and music just topped that scene off. Awesome way to introduce that enemy I thought.

had no problems with the frame rate to be honest and I loved the combat system.

only issue I had was the sound lacked dynamic range, or the mixing was low on certain effects. but minor complaints and not really a deal breaker.

excited as hell to play the full thing.
 
I personally loved the demo.

from the beginning to end I had a massive grin. And for some reason, and I know it might sound odd, but the moment one of those bug enemies smashed through the door, it gave me chills. I think the animation and music just topped that scene off. Awesome way to introduce that enemy I thought.

had no problems with the frame rate to be honest and I loved the combat system.

only issue I had was the sound lacked dynamic range, or the mixing was low on certain effects. but minor complaints and not really a deal breaker.

excited as hell to play the full thing.

Same here. Got my collector's edition pre-ordered but there are a few things that bother me, but those can be easily overlooked XD
 
Hey guys,

First, let's agree or agree to disagree - unless we're talking MS Flight Simulator, 99% of video games require your "suspension of disbelief", and our God of War franchise has always done that in epic proportions. If you watch our Unchained series, you'll see just how bat-sh** crazy we aim to stretch reality in the moments we want to bring to you. If you've played any God of War game, or all of them, you know barely a moment is grounded in realism.

Everyone has an argument on the above, but trying to ground God of War crazy moments (being turned around, twisted upside down by the 88th hand of a living prison) in "MS Flight Simulator" realism as I'd call it....that's an argument we can't invite ourselves further to, beyond these two paragraphs.


Thanks for the constructive demo feedback in this thread.

I don't want to spoil the story, but there is a rhyme and reason for every aspect of the demo, why Kratos is chained up in Hecaton, why the Fury "Megaera" is in the current state she is (and where are her sisters?), why he feels "under-powered" in comparison to being fully upgraded in GOW 2 / 3 (which was apart of the story remember, and this is before he becomes "a God"), etc. The story in Ascension is told in a very different way than any GoW prior. It'll make sense when you play the final game. We're not trying to go all JJ Abrams on you, but we changed up the formula from what you're used to, for good reason.

The opening 30-mins gives you a sense of the new "basic combat", but hardly the depth. We can't accomplish that in the first 30-mins and do it justice.

What you will find beyond the first 30-mins in the final game is a quicker than usual GoW ascension to getting to that "combat depth", whereas in past GoW games, you're getting some of the best weapons and moves, but not until the last hour of the game. You may not feel the depth in complex moves and magics in the first 30, but as many of you have stated, let the final game be the judge.


My opinion here is objective and neutral based on my knowledge of our final game, having played all the way through it, and being a die-had hardcore GoW fan myself.

Everyone's opinion is well respected and heard, so keep bringing it, we are the God of War team of Sony Santa Monica, and this is what we work 24/7 around the clock for.

Cheers,
Tank

First of all, I found the demo to be a great introduction to the new Kratos, and I loved every minute of it ... but one thing struck me when I was playing the demo and that was the double jump. I just felt there weren't enough frames of animation between him making the initial jump and the final jump. I'd have liked there to be a sense of realism even if a double jump is actually impossible in real life. Perhaps he could bring his knees in closer to his chest before leaping that extra distance. It just looked a little odd when he double jumped, but that's my ONLY complaint and I WILL be buying this for my PS3 ... and hopefully getting the PS4 version with Cross-buy :)
 
Top Bottom