PlayStation LifeStyle » God of War

Should God of War IV Have a Multiplayer Mode?

Jonathan Leack — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:57:21 +0000

God of War IV has been all but announced at this point – several magazines have leaked information and even Composer Timothy Williams has it listed on his resume, but that isn’t the most surprising part. Several rumors have stated that God of War IV will be the first game in the award-winning series to include a multiplayer element. What the multiplayer will entail is anyone’s guess, but its mere mention has made us wonder: would multiplayer really be a good idea for God of War?

God of War wouldn’t be the first video game series that has a strong single-player presence to jump in the multiplayer bandwagon. The Uncharted series did it very successfully with Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and even managed to deliver a powerful narrative despite there existing a multiplayer component. Mass Effect 3 is the most forthcoming example, and while that decision has been meet with criticism, it has potential.

The main thing to note is that it’s true that a development team does have to allocate resources to developing the multiplayer feature(s). Does a compromise need to be made? Not necessarily if the team is experienced, staffed properly, and goes in knowing what they want to accomplish. Santa Monica Studios has been around a very long time, and to say that they’re veterans would probably be an understatement, so if their design team decides to add multiplayer functionality, chances are it won’t cut into the quality of the story mode. It’s also important to note that Santa Monica have doubled their team size since the release of GOW III.

So other games have done it, but would multiplayer really work with God of War‘s formula? God of War has been known to utilize a static, choreographic camera that can’t be controlled, as well as very linear environments. These qualities don’t translate very well into the multiplayer arena. If Santa Monica Studios plans to allow more than one player to play at a time, then they’ll either have to make the mode co-operative, or an analog-controlled camera might have to be introduced. While the former is a strong possibility, the latter would compromise what has been a winning formula thus far. God of War team members have cited in past interviews that its static camera allows them to direct the player’s attention to important elements in the environment, and also helps with guiding the player through the journey by giving it a sense of directional flow. As a result, chances are that the multiplayer won’t be competitive, at least in the normal sense.

Another possibility is that there will be challenges which reward points based on speed and style with a scoreboard present to give it a sense of online competition similar to what Mirror’s Edge did. We saw the Challenges of Olympus in God of War III which merely rewarded trophies and unlockables for the single-player upon completion. If fully featured, like with Mortal Kombat‘s challenges and with leaderboards, it could be a great outlet for those who feel like they’re a master of Kratos. With that said, being able to co-op through levels and/or the main story would be a bit more of a treat for fans of the series.

At this point God of War seems to have accomplished everything it has sought out to do. It’s delivered enormous set-pieces that few games can challenge, has completed epic story arches, and has several titles with high critical reception and sales. The series could definitely use a new spark, especially after the dramatic climax that was God of War III. A multiplayer mode could give it the lift that it needs, and who can say no to running through massive environments destroying waves of enemies with a friend?

So what do you think? Should the next God of War release include a multiplayer mode? If so, what modes? Share your response in the comments below.

David Jaffe Wants To Make “God of War Meets Zelda”

Tony Wibowo — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:57:32 +0000

Aside from working hard at putting the finishing touches on Twisted Metal for its release date on February 14, 2012, David Jaffe likes to write blogs on his personal website. On his latest blog post, the eccentric developer contemplated what it would be like if he ever directs another God of War game. And although he actually would prefer not to come back to the game franchise that made him famous back in the PS2 era, he mentioned that he would consider a return if and only if the conditions were right.

Right conditions for developers usually mean that whether he/she will be given enough budget and time to make it, as well as plenty of creative freedom. However, David has a slightly different take on it:

A lot of people ask me if I’d ever make another GOD OF WAR (assuming that opportunity was offered) and I always say the same thing: if it were GOD OF WAR meets something like ZELDA (formula wise), then yes (aka Darksiders, right?)…But if it were GOD OF WAR using the current formula, I would not. For me- and this is just me PERSONALLY (I get and respect not everyone shares this same thinking)- directing GOD OF WAR made me realize that as a game designer (and certainly as game director) I want our games to serve the gods of GAMEPLAY first and foremost. My and then team’s desire to tell a story/make a movie may or may not get to be fulfilled (depending on the game) but if we do tell a story, it will never come at the expense of the gameplay (the thing that makes our medium matter and special). Games can have story (and many should, such as God of War) and most games- even pure play games- should have strong world and IP. But working on God of War made it clear that- for me- if we have to cut a set piece or bit of spectacle because of our desire to put play first, then so be it. Ideally, the BEST games are those that do both.

Come on Sony, David just made his move, now it’s your turn!

[Via]

PlayStation Release Horizon – Week of September 12, 2011

Kishen Patel — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:55:03 +0000

For the PlayStation enthusiasts, this week’s star of the show may seem all too familiar for PSP owners, but for those who have yet to experience the remaining tales of Kratos outside of the consoles, this collection is just the release you have been waiting for.

Check out this week’s releases below:

PS3 -

God of War: Origins Collection (09/12)
Penguins of Madagascar: Dr. Blowhole Returns Again! (09/12)

PSP -

No new releases

PS2 -

No new releases

It’s not too difficult to figure out what this week’s highlight title is, but what’s in your shopping list for the week? Tell us in the comments section below and stay connected with PlayStation LifeStyle for the latest and greatest in PlayStation.

PS3 Review – God of War: Origins Collection

Jonathan Leack — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:03:34 +0000

God of War is back, and once again is the leader of trends with the first ever jump from PSP to PS3 in the form of the God of War: Origins Collection. This avant-garde package includes both God of War: Chains of Olympus and God of War: Ghost of Sparta on one Blu-ray, along with some extraordinary new additions to make this one of the most compelling HD collections in history. It sounds great, but are the gods pleased?

The two titles bundled into God of War: Origins Collection are regarded as a couple of the best games in the PSP’s history, and the conversion to console has been seamless. Gameplay in both games is as fluid as we’ve become accustomed to with the series; parrying attacks, counterattacking, and striking down foes before dismembering them in QTE’s is thoroughly satisfying and never seems to get old. One of the most noticeable improvements made comes straight from the fact that these two titles are now on a console: the DualShock controller. A second analog stick makes dodging much easier, intense moments are more manageable since you won’t be squeezing your PSP, and vibration puts the exclamation point on each of the collection’s many exciting moments.

In case you’re new to the series, God of War is like a Greek version of Indiana Jones, as it’s brimming full of adventure, puzzles, a great dash of history, and some truly epic moments. There’s a very genuine quality to God of War that makes it captivating, one of which is its strong presence of Greek history, and this collection is no different. You can expect to see gorgons, ogres, titans, gods, and more famous entities, and their presence in HD makes it all the better. Another important element to God of War are the boss battles which are consistently executed in glorious fashion. By comparison, both of the included games feature fewer bosses than the console iterations, but don’t be discouraged, a couple of the bosses found herein stand confidently among the best that the series has to offer.

Both Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta are extremely true to the formula, so you can expect to see a handful of weapons, magic attacks, treasure chests, large set-pieces, and plenty of enemies based on Ancient Greek literature. While Chains of Olympus plays most similarly to the original title, Ghost of Sparta has some tricks up its sleeve with “parkour” style platforming that plays a prominent role in the experience, and several extravagant moments that make the game feel like much more of a PS3 title than its PSP heritage. A few of the new locales are great additions to the series, such as Atlantis, and there are some differences in pacing and execution that make both titles easily identifiable. While there’s nothing surprising about either of these releases, both are phenomenal experiences that offer plenty of intriguing back-story for fans, and memorable moments for everyone.

As you might suspect, both games use the static camera that we’ve become accustomed to with God of War, and while it can be helpful in directing you and providing gorgeous viewpoints, it can be prohibitive in combat situations. Enemies will frequently move out of view, and it’ll be near impossible to read when to dodge or parry in these circumstances. In addition, gameplay can be spotty at times, with minor animation hiccups, and Chains of Olympus has some minor load times between cutscenes. While these issues can prove problematic, they are a small blemish in the grand scheme of things.

Both games have been rendered wonderfully in high-definition. While Chains of Olympus is impressive, especially when considering it’s several years old and a handheld title, Ghost of Sparta is downright remarkable and looks better than some of the lower tier PS3 games out there. Lighting and shadow improvements are noticeable, and the fidelity is almost unbelievable. The collection’s presentation is adequate, and choosing which game to play is done at the initial start menu. Due to the nature of the series, the jump to HD not only makes sense, but improves the experience. The jaw-dropping moments of being the average-height Kratos in enormous environments has truly come to life on the television.

The audio in both games has been beefed up to support Dolby 5.1 surround sound, and execution has been done wonderfully. The soundtrack is thunderous, and while it’s very reminiscent of previous titles, that’s a good thing. Voice overs by the main characters involved are great, albeit a little awkward from time to time. Most of all, the ambient effects and feedback are powerful, further amplifying the epic narrative.

The God of War: Origins Collection has some special additions on top of the mountains of media, challenges, collectibles, and costumes found within each title. First of all, trophies are here, and each title has a platinum to unlock, meaning that for less than the price of a PS3 title you get twice as many trophies to obtain. Secondly, 3D support has made its way to the God of War franchise for its first time, and it adds further mass to an already gargantuan experience. Lastly, the pre-order DLC for Ghost of Sparta has been included such as a cool Legionnaire costume that grants double orbs during gameplay, and an additional movie. However, the one thing that is most impressive is Ghost of Sparta‘s Combat Arena and Temple of Zeus extras. Combat Arena allows you to create your own combat scenario with tons of options ranging from locale to enemy count. Temple of Zeus serves as a hub for spending extra currency at the end of the game, and more than a dozen unlockables are available. Since each of these titles are only about five to seven hours in length depending on which difficulty you choose, these extras are a great way of facilitating replay value.

For less than the price of a single game, God of War: Origins Collection offers two expertly crafted titles on one Blu-ray. The transition to console has been nothing short of impressive, with each game not only looking but playing better than its handheld counterpart. While each game suffers from the static camera issues, and don’t do much in the way of innovation, the proven God of War formula shines through with its fluid combat, epic experience that is second to none, and outstanding adaptation of Ancient Greek mythology. As with the God of War: Collection that came before it, the God of War: Origins Collection is a successful remaster that is sure to inspire other developers to convert their special PSP titles to the PS3 so even more consumers can enjoy some of the platform’s greatest offerings in HD.

PlayStation LifeStyle’s Final Score

+ Two expertly crafted games with major improvements to visuals and gameplay.

+ Addition of 3D support, two platinum trophies, and DLC included.

- Camera issues and small separation from previous releases.

God of War Master Collection to Ravage Only Germany

Jonathan Leack — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:19:57 +0000

You might recall last week when we found an unannounced God of War Master Collection on the Amazon Germany website. The package was particularly exciting since it was said to include every God of War title in existence, from the original God of War where Kratos began his revenge, to the PSP’s God of War: Ghost of Sparta. Finding the product on Amazon’s German variant was a bit bewildering, but Sony’s explanation brings sense to the whole situation.

Sony responded with the following when inquired about the God of War Master Collection:

currently only slated for the German market

Germany is known for having strict laws against violence, especially in media, so this is a bold move by Sony. Even if this never makes it outside of Deutschland, you can construct the collection yourself by purchasing the God of War Collection, God of War III, followed by God of War Origins Collection later this year. Boy, that’ll be a lot of money, but it’s well-worth every penny.

Splinter Cell HD Collection Appears to be Sneaking to A Fall Release

Paulmichael Contreras — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:35:11 +0000

One thing that is a hot-ticket item this generation of consoles is HD remastering. Whether for God of War, Sly Cooper, Tomb Raider or other famous games of the last generation, HD collections are always value-packed at a budget price. The Splinter Cell Trilogy was originally slated for a March release, but if the latest retail listings are anything to go on, fans will have a bit more to wait before they can revisit the popular stealth series.

As spotted on Amazon, GameFly and GameStop‘s respective websites, the Splinter Cell Trilogy is now expected to arrive in your hands on September 27th. While we are awaiting official confirmation from publisher Ubisoft if this is indeed the final ship date, when three separate large retailers post the same information it lends credence to that date being official. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Trilogy includes the original Splinter Cell, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory remastered in high definition and given trophies, with perhaps some other functionality not yet revealed, for $39.99 USD. Do you mind the wait, or would you rather have the collection release sooner, during the summer lull between mega-blockbusters?

Entire God of War Library In One Master Collection?

Anthony Severino — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:18:22 +0000

We already have a God of War Collection, and another one featuring the two PSP titles is on the way. But could one massive collection be releasing this Fall that packs every installment ever released in one hearty package?

It’s normally Amazon France that spoils all the surprises, but this time it’s Amazon Germany that may have spilled the beans on a God of War “Master Collection”.

The German branch of Amazon has a listing for a God of War: Master Collection that features God of War, God of War II, God of War III, God of War: Chains of Olympus, and God of War: Ghost of Sparta all in one massive collection. That’s a lot of rage, chaos and Kratos. It would have to be on multiple Blu-ray discs as God of War III was already filling the disc.

It would be a great package to kick off the holiday season, which consequently, Amazon Germany suggests the title will release September 16th.

We wouldn’t be surprised to see this hit retailers, but for now, chalk this up to a very crazy rumor.

Germans do love Kratos, but is it as much as they love David Hasselhoff?

[Source]

Anthony Severino is Editor-In-Chief at PlayStation LifeStyle, follow @Sev_PSLS_GR on Twitter.

New God of War Collection Announced For PS3

Matt Baker — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:42:47 +0000

A new God of War game has been in development from Sony Santa Monica Studios for a while. Sony has now announced that a God of War collection for the PS3 is currently in development.

Sony has just announced a God of War collection for the PlayStation 3, and it’ll release this September. It’s called God of War Origins and will feature 3D remastered PSP titles: God of War: Chains of Olympus.

Earlier, Forbes seemingly confirmed a new God of War game:

Sony’s press conference will announce some additional titles, including a new God of War 3D adventure, but these five titles should help drive sales of PS3 hardware this year and also keep PS3 gamers happy now that the hacking incident is over.

Are you excited for yet another adventure with Kratos? Share your thoughts on the forthcoming God of War game via the comment section below.

Did Forbes Just Accidentally Out “a New God of War 3D Adventure”?

Sebastian Moss — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:46:24 +0000

Keeping secrets isn’t one of Sony’s strong points, with the technology giant generally leaking like a rusty bucket in the lead up to all it’s major game conventions. However, for this year’s E3, Sony has been able to keep remarkably quiet about what they’ll announce later today. Unfortunately for them, Forbes may have just “done a Sony” and let the Kratos shaped cat out of the bag.

Forbes writer John Gaudiosi summarised his thoughts on the PS3′s upcoming library after being “able to get hands-on time with most of Sony’s big games before E3 2011″ [emphasis added]:

Sony’s press conference will announce some additional titles, including a new God of War 3D adventure, but these five titles should help drive sales of PS3 hardware this year and also keep PS3 gamers happy now that the hacking incident is over.

We’ll be live at E3 covering Sony’s conference, so stay tuned to PSLS to be the first to find out if this is true.

[Via]

God of War Dev Auctions Rare Collectibles to Aid Japan

Mitchell Sellar — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:42:20 +0000

The God of War development team at Santa Monica Studios and Sony Computer Entertainment America have launched four separate God of War centric eBay charity auctions to aid in the ongoing relief effort in Japan. As most people are by now aware, the country was hit by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami more than two months ago that devastated the nation.

All the money from the winning bids will be donated to the American Red Cross and used to aid the victims of the natural disaster thanks to eBay Giving Works and PlayForJapan.org.

Santa Monica Studios explained their motives on the God of War Community Blog:

As we watched the devastation from the earthquake, tsunami, and radiological disaster in Japan unfold; all of us at Sony Computer Entertainment America and the Santa Monica Studio felt powerless by our inability to help our friends, family, loved-ones, and colleagues halfway around the world. While we can’t be on the ground to assist with the relief efforts, we know that with your help, we can make a difference in the lives of those that are suffering.

The auctions are set to end May 22nd 2011, good luck to those bidding. In the event you cannot afford over $500 (current bid is $510) for an 11-inch statue but still want to help, please visit the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami donation page by clicking here.

God of War Developer Hiring Shooter and Vehicular Combat Expert

Max Murray — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:21:08 +0000

Possibly the complete opposite from what the God of War developers are known for, Sony’s Santa Monica Studios is trying to fill a position for an unannounced upcoming game that will require some very specific game design experience. Last week, rumors emerged that a new God of War is scheduled for release next year, but could the series be drastically changing direction?

Spotted over on Gamasutra, a position has popped up explaining Santa Monica’s need for a ‘Senior Combat Designer‘. Applicants will be collaborating closely with the direction from the Lead Combat Designer and Game Director and are invited to join Sony as they ‘embark on their next project!’ Keep in mind, no word was mentioned on what this new project is.

However, what’s caught everyone’s attention is not the new game in development, but rather the specific qualifications required in order to be considered for the role.

• Experience working with, developing or designing for a 1st and/or 3rd person shooter genre a plus.
• Experience working with, developing or designing vehicle combat in a game also a plus.

Is the renowned development team planning a fresh start on a new IP for this new talent, or could this be a sign towards a sequel to a series Santa Monica has past experience with, like Warhawk? Check out the entire job description and let us know what comes to mind.

[Via]

Ready At Dawn Sounds Ready for A New IP

Paulmichael Contreras — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:05:48 +0000

Ready At Dawn Studios has only dealt with pre-existing franchises for the PlayStation Portable thus far, such as Daxter and two God of War titles. But it looks like the developer may be ready to branch out and produce their own new intellectual property, and not necessarily on a portable system.

According to a job posting spotted on creativeheads.net, Ready At Dawn Studios is looking for a Senior Lighting Artist, Gameplay Programmer, and Senior Character Artist for work on a “AAA New IP for the Home Console.” These are all at their studio in Irvine, California and were posted late last week. Only one detail about the game was given, that it is a “3rd person action adventure” title, and again on a home console. So is Ready At Dawn moving on to the PlayStation 3? Or is it something else? Only time will tell, and you can be certain that as soon as PlayStation LifeStyle knows anything more you can read about it here.

Kratos Does a Killer Crossover

Anthony Severino — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:43:59 +0000

No, he isn’t taking dribbling lessons from Tim Hardaway.

The God of War star has such an undeniable presence that he’s been featured in a number of games outside of the God of War franchise. In recent memory, there was his appearance in the PSP’s Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny and Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds for the PS3. Kratos also has Played, Created and Shared his likeness in both LittleBigPlanet and ModNation Racers. He’s even going to be taking his Blades of Chaos to the fight in the upcoming Mortal Kombat.

But what if Kratos invaded a number of games that weren’t so fitting of his vengeance-driven brutality?

——–

[Image Credit 1, Image Credit 2, Image Credit 3]

Kratos Slashes Into Mortal Kombat

Ray Conley — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:29:18 +0000

Not too long ago, a roster for Mortal Kombat somehow slid its way into the public’s sphere, revealing a few names to expect in the NetherRealm’s lineup. It appears that another unexpected character will be making his first debut in the fighting arena, and he will be bringing the might of Olympus with him.

We’ve recently learned that some people have had the good fortune of getting their hands an early copy of the Official PlayStation Magazine for January. When March rolls around, and Mortal Kombat enters the arena, proud PS3 owners will be rewarded with an exclusive character who is no stranger to the beast of a black console – Kratos. The God of War himself will be fully decked out with unique combat moves, fatalities and his own personalized fight arena to deal a brutal end to his foes.

Unfortunately, the magazine also details that Kratos will not have a story mode available, but that shouldn’t make his character any less of a kombatant. Perhaps we can cross our fingers and hope that a story can be added later as DLC.

If you’d like to know more, pick up a copy of the Official PlayStation Magazine when it comes out later this week. How do you think Kratos will size up against the competition? Would you rather see a different PlayStation character make an appearance? Let us know in the comments below.

PlayStation Release Horizon – Week of November 01, 2010

Kishen Patel — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 01:18:54 +0000

The month of November is here, which used to mark the releases of a certain highly-anticipated title (speaking of which, weren’t we supposed to get a concrete release date by the end of October?), but instead, the Greek gods – yes, gods as in two of them–have slain all others to invade homes everywhere… on the go. Given the fact that this week’s PSP lineup of releases is stronger than the PS3′s, clearly there is the least bit of life left in the PSP before the portable moves onwards.

PS3 -

Blood Drive (11/02)
Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 (11/02)
Fists of the North Star: Ken’s Rage (11/02)
James Bond 007: Blood Stone (11/02)
Megamind: The Blue Defender (11/02)

PSP -

EyePet with camera (11/02)
God of War: Ghost of Sparta (11/02)
- Entertainment Pack with PSP system
Megamind: The Blue Defender (11/02)
PES 2011 (11/02)
Ys: The Oath of Felghana (11/02)
- Limited Edition

PS2 -

Toy Story 3: the Video Game (11/02)

Don’t forget that there is still a chance to cash in on the pre-order goodies of God of War: Ghost of Sparta if you pre-order before the game releases. Are the gods of war in your shopping list for the week? Tell us in the comments below along with any and all PlayStation purchases of the week.