Obviously this was going to happen after this month's IGC.
I like God of War series, I have played all of them except for the mobile game. I really liked the story of the first GOW, which I thought was classic simplistic Greek tragedy that used flashback narration very effectively. I also don't have problem with Kratos like lot of folks on this forum do. I don't think that he is a complex or even a well written character, but I do think that he fits very well with other Greek Mythological characters. The obnoxious "screaming" that everyone complains about Kratos is only vexing in GOW3 (and some what in the GOW2). I think the bigger offence are the dreadful dialogues in these games. In fact, Kratos barely screams in Ascension, but you will want to plug your ears regardless because of the horrid dialogues. Obviously this is my feelings on the matter and you guys feel free to tell me how wrong I am.
I am late to Ascension party partly because everyone was kind of down on it and partly because I thought that they will remaster it along with GOW3. Having played it, I think it is a very good game that is flawed and has no reason to exist other then Sony had assets and engine laying around. I did get to try multiplayer when it launched and I thought it was interesting thing they were trying to do. Perhaps they should have focused on a $30 or free to play multiplayer package rather than going for full fledged GOW product.
The Bad:
Camera. I cannot believe I am even saying this about a GOW game which has always been put up as the shining example of fixed camera done right. The fixed camera is still better than most games that have fixed camera, but the angles during the fights are sometimes annoying. I had to lose the multiplier several times because I could not see Kratos behind group of enemies. My only solution in those situations was to roll out from the middle of circle and try to put some distance between Kratos and enemies. In earlier games this was often mitigated by placing camera little higher, so that Kratos was always visible. I did not have the problem seeing Kratos when camera pulled far for a wider shot. I know this was a common complaint in the OT.
Dialogues. All the dialogues for Furies are very badly written. Please don't hire Jennifer Hale and give her those atrocious dialogues. While you are at it, give her more screen time.
Platforming. Kratos is not Nathan Drake.
The Good:
The scale. It's a motherfuck'en God of War game, why am I still surprised?
Pacing. I was never ecstatic while playing this game, but it never bored me either. Platforming and puzzles are simplistic but they are there to punctuate the action and they do it very effectively.
Graphics. Best looking PS3 game behind Uncharted 3 and God of War 3.
If you liked other God of War, you will probably enjoy this. Also, because it has to be done:
1>2>GoS>3>Ascension>>>>CoO
I would like to mention that I really enjoyed the Trials of Archimedes level. While I did not die once, partly because Kratos at that point in my game was maxed out, I thought it was intense. I know that it was nerfed post launch but I would like to know by how much. I want to know why it gave Sessler existential crisis.
Oddly enough this game has made me excited for next Cory Barlog directed God of War. There is note in Ascension which confirms that Pharaohs exists in this Universe and the pyramide hint dropped during Wil Wheaton probably means that Kataos is going to ancient Egypt. I for one cannot wait to fight Sphinx and turn it into stone with Medusa's head. SUN GOD RAAAAAA, I'M COMING FOR YOU....ahem.
I like God of War series, I have played all of them except for the mobile game. I really liked the story of the first GOW, which I thought was classic simplistic Greek tragedy that used flashback narration very effectively. I also don't have problem with Kratos like lot of folks on this forum do. I don't think that he is a complex or even a well written character, but I do think that he fits very well with other Greek Mythological characters. The obnoxious "screaming" that everyone complains about Kratos is only vexing in GOW3 (and some what in the GOW2). I think the bigger offence are the dreadful dialogues in these games. In fact, Kratos barely screams in Ascension, but you will want to plug your ears regardless because of the horrid dialogues. Obviously this is my feelings on the matter and you guys feel free to tell me how wrong I am.
I am late to Ascension party partly because everyone was kind of down on it and partly because I thought that they will remaster it along with GOW3. Having played it, I think it is a very good game that is flawed and has no reason to exist other then Sony had assets and engine laying around. I did get to try multiplayer when it launched and I thought it was interesting thing they were trying to do. Perhaps they should have focused on a $30 or free to play multiplayer package rather than going for full fledged GOW product.
The Bad:
Camera. I cannot believe I am even saying this about a GOW game which has always been put up as the shining example of fixed camera done right. The fixed camera is still better than most games that have fixed camera, but the angles during the fights are sometimes annoying. I had to lose the multiplier several times because I could not see Kratos behind group of enemies. My only solution in those situations was to roll out from the middle of circle and try to put some distance between Kratos and enemies. In earlier games this was often mitigated by placing camera little higher, so that Kratos was always visible. I did not have the problem seeing Kratos when camera pulled far for a wider shot. I know this was a common complaint in the OT.
Dialogues. All the dialogues for Furies are very badly written. Please don't hire Jennifer Hale and give her those atrocious dialogues. While you are at it, give her more screen time.
Platforming. Kratos is not Nathan Drake.
The Good:
The scale. It's a motherfuck'en God of War game, why am I still surprised?
Pacing. I was never ecstatic while playing this game, but it never bored me either. Platforming and puzzles are simplistic but they are there to punctuate the action and they do it very effectively.
Graphics. Best looking PS3 game behind Uncharted 3 and God of War 3.
If you liked other God of War, you will probably enjoy this. Also, because it has to be done:
1>2>GoS>3>Ascension>>>>CoO
I would like to mention that I really enjoyed the Trials of Archimedes level. While I did not die once, partly because Kratos at that point in my game was maxed out, I thought it was intense. I know that it was nerfed post launch but I would like to know by how much. I want to know why it gave Sessler existential crisis.
Oddly enough this game has made me excited for next Cory Barlog directed God of War. There is note in Ascension which confirms that Pharaohs exists in this Universe and the pyramide hint dropped during Wil Wheaton probably means that Kataos is going to ancient Egypt. I for one cannot wait to fight Sphinx and turn it into stone with Medusa's head. SUN GOD RAAAAAA, I'M COMING FOR YOU....ahem.
Anyway, the QTE will be back but instead of the instant fail-state/repeat level when you fail a QTE like past GOW, it will be in a different state you have to play. For example, if you are sliding down a slope and you fail the 'jump QTE', instead of instant-death like past GoW, you went down a different path. This can add to replayability.
