I was never a God of War fan growing up in the PS2 and PS3 era. Whether it was because I wasn’t allowed to play such violent games or because I enjoyed platformers and RPGs a little more, I just never got the chance to experience Kratos‘ adventure from start to finish. When I purchased the PS5 and discovered that God of War (2018) was free, I decided to give the franchise a chance. Now, having gotten the platinum trophy on both God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok, I decided it would be worth my time to go back and experience the Greek adventures of one PlayStation’s most prominent and powerful mascots.
At the time it was released, God of War III was thought by fans to be the end of the series. It would function as a conclusion to the story set in motion by the original God of War released in 2005 on the PS2 and, hopefully, tie up any loose ends present throughout the series’ several console and handheld adventures. With that in mind, the game does what it sets out to do - it ties up loose ends, provides a satisfying end to Kratos’ revenge quest, and seemingly allows the God of War to finally lay down the Blades of Chaos. With hindsight, however, we know that God of War III was not the end, but instead merely a transitional point for the character and the franchise as a whole. Being able to know what comes after God of War III, however, doesn’t change the satisfaction of killing Zeus or extracting Kratos’ revenge on the entire Greek Pantheon. What it does do is allow us to see how this final adventure in Greece changed Kratos from a bloodthirsty, revenge, crazed, remorseless killer to the calm and reasonable person we see in God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok.
Essentially, playing God of War III after experiencing God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok recontextualizes much of what occurs and what is said in those games. The player is able to get a clearer picture of who Kratos was as the Greek God of War and will fully understand why he acts that way he does during the events of God of War (2018) and Ragnarok. The revenge soaked story of God of War III also highlights why Ragnarok is such a spectacular ending to the series as a whole. With Kratos no longer giving in to anger, being able to put down the Leviathan Axe and extend an olive branch to Thor instead of fighting him to death, and choosing not to outright murder Odin shows how much he has grown as a character. It displays how even a God can change and see where he has done wrong.
God of War III’s ability to recontextualize God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok is enough reason for any fan of the series to play this game, but it is not the only one. The hack ‘n slash gameplay of the older God of War games has been polished to a perfect sheen in this third installment. Combos are fluid and intuitive, response time is snappy, and each hack, slash, or punch has an undeniable weight to its impact. The enemy variety on display is also not lacking. There are countless soldiers to cut down, gorgon heads to remove, centaurs to disembowel, and chimeras to disfigure. There are trolls to crush, hammer wielding statues to crumble, Titans to topple, and of course Gods to dethrone. While you will spend much of your time dishing out death, the opponents you tear limb from limb will at least vary from encounter to encounter. The set pieces in God of War games have always been one of their most memorable aspects, God of War III is no exception. There are climactic battles on the tops and insides of Titans, through the ruins of crumbling cities, and even in the mind of Kratos Himself. The puzzles, also a God of war staple, can be head scratching at times, but are by no means difficult. Despite this, the puzzles do offer a slight reprieve from the carnage Kratos is typically dishing out in every frame. The graphics are typical of an upscaled PS3 game, and obviously can’t compare with the newer entries in the series, but this doesn’t detract from the experience in any way.
As with most Sony Santa Monica games, there are little to no issues to be found in God of War III. Platforming can be difficult at times - this is especially true in the labyrinth levels, but considering there is a trophy available for clearing the labyrinth without falling to your death this may be intentional - some puzzles could pose more of a challenge, and some of the weapons Kratos acquires could be utilized more, but other than these very minor complaints, God of War III is a fantastic conclusion to the original trilogy and one of the best hack and slash games available.
In conclusion, if you have experienced the latest entries in the God of War series, it wouldn’t be a waste of time to retread old ground and pick up a copy of God of War III Remastered for the PS4. It is a short game that packs a punch and doesn’t overstay its welcome. It provides vital context for God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok and could change the way you view those games.
At the time it was released, God of War III was thought by fans to be the end of the series. It would function as a conclusion to the story set in motion by the original God of War released in 2005 on the PS2 and, hopefully, tie up any loose ends present throughout the series’ several console and handheld adventures. With that in mind, the game does what it sets out to do - it ties up loose ends, provides a satisfying end to Kratos’ revenge quest, and seemingly allows the God of War to finally lay down the Blades of Chaos. With hindsight, however, we know that God of War III was not the end, but instead merely a transitional point for the character and the franchise as a whole. Being able to know what comes after God of War III, however, doesn’t change the satisfaction of killing Zeus or extracting Kratos’ revenge on the entire Greek Pantheon. What it does do is allow us to see how this final adventure in Greece changed Kratos from a bloodthirsty, revenge, crazed, remorseless killer to the calm and reasonable person we see in God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok.
Essentially, playing God of War III after experiencing God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok recontextualizes much of what occurs and what is said in those games. The player is able to get a clearer picture of who Kratos was as the Greek God of War and will fully understand why he acts that way he does during the events of God of War (2018) and Ragnarok. The revenge soaked story of God of War III also highlights why Ragnarok is such a spectacular ending to the series as a whole. With Kratos no longer giving in to anger, being able to put down the Leviathan Axe and extend an olive branch to Thor instead of fighting him to death, and choosing not to outright murder Odin shows how much he has grown as a character. It displays how even a God can change and see where he has done wrong.
God of War III’s ability to recontextualize God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok is enough reason for any fan of the series to play this game, but it is not the only one. The hack ‘n slash gameplay of the older God of War games has been polished to a perfect sheen in this third installment. Combos are fluid and intuitive, response time is snappy, and each hack, slash, or punch has an undeniable weight to its impact. The enemy variety on display is also not lacking. There are countless soldiers to cut down, gorgon heads to remove, centaurs to disembowel, and chimeras to disfigure. There are trolls to crush, hammer wielding statues to crumble, Titans to topple, and of course Gods to dethrone. While you will spend much of your time dishing out death, the opponents you tear limb from limb will at least vary from encounter to encounter. The set pieces in God of War games have always been one of their most memorable aspects, God of War III is no exception. There are climactic battles on the tops and insides of Titans, through the ruins of crumbling cities, and even in the mind of Kratos Himself. The puzzles, also a God of war staple, can be head scratching at times, but are by no means difficult. Despite this, the puzzles do offer a slight reprieve from the carnage Kratos is typically dishing out in every frame. The graphics are typical of an upscaled PS3 game, and obviously can’t compare with the newer entries in the series, but this doesn’t detract from the experience in any way.
As with most Sony Santa Monica games, there are little to no issues to be found in God of War III. Platforming can be difficult at times - this is especially true in the labyrinth levels, but considering there is a trophy available for clearing the labyrinth without falling to your death this may be intentional - some puzzles could pose more of a challenge, and some of the weapons Kratos acquires could be utilized more, but other than these very minor complaints, God of War III is a fantastic conclusion to the original trilogy and one of the best hack and slash games available.
In conclusion, if you have experienced the latest entries in the God of War series, it wouldn’t be a waste of time to retread old ground and pick up a copy of God of War III Remastered for the PS4. It is a short game that packs a punch and doesn’t overstay its welcome. It provides vital context for God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok and could change the way you view those games.
AstrinSchmidt
8 months ago