I’ve never considered myself to be a great big fan of God of War, but even I found the final chapter in the tale of Kratos’ unrelenting quest for revenge impressive. It cleverly used fixed camera perspectives to push out some of the finest visuals the PlayStation 3 had seen. It’s back, remastered for a new generation. And it’s still impressive.

The game picks up right after the second one, with our fallen God of War climbing a mountain to kill the guy at the top; his father and god of gods, Zeus. In fact, it begins where most games end; a zenith, filled with spectacle and grandeur.

GodofWar1

Our angry deicide, in league – for now – with the Titans that seek to end the god of lightning’s reign over Olypmus and its people climbs and clambers up the rocky yet verdant surface of what turns out to be Gaia; the earth mother. Moments later and it’s a great big boss battle against Poseidon, the god of sea – an impressive assault against his aquatic warhorse. You’re fighting against a maritime deity, on the back of a giant, who’s climbing a mountain. And that’s just in the first two minutes.

It really sets up the tone rather well, as the game flits from grand setpiece to grand setpiece, with the narrative never serving as anything more than a vehicle for Kratos’ blind and murderous vengeance. He’s not a particularly likeable chap, our Kratos – killing whoever stands in his way without thought for the consequence, casually butchering just about everything that moves on screen. On the odd occasion, he’ll go up against one of the other gods of Greece’s pantheon, picking up new bits of weaponry or equipment to aide in his journey to the top of Olympus. And it’s rather enjoyable.

GodofWar2

That it should be so fun is odd, seeing as most of your time is spent repeatedly pressing the square and triangle buttons ad infinitum. God of War has never quite had the pugilistic panache of Japanese games that share its genre; stuff like Devil May Cry or Bayonetta, instead adopting a more Western approach of brutal violence in lieu of masterful combat. You never need to learn the game’s more intricate combos, and any time you spend mastering the combat is more for the sake of it looking cool than it being genuinely helpful. Still, it’s undeniably cathartic, tackling a menagerie of mythological monsters, ripping off their heads and watching the gibs of bloody viscera splatter about. It’s a sort of refined repetition.

GodofWar3

When you’re not killing things (which isn’t all that often, really), you’re solving light puzzles or jumping from platform to platform like a savage Super Mario. Occasionally excellent, they’re largely limp affairs, with not much in the way of thought required to solve them – with a tepid Guitar Hero moment serving as the very worst of them. The game’s kept fresh through some inspired level design that has you backtracking up and down Mount Olympus, gathering new upgradeable equipment that you’ll need to unlock other areas, like a Metroidvania light.

Though most of the newer weapons you earn play very similarly to the rechristened Blade of Exile that serves as your main method of killing, standouts like the Nemean Cestus – great big metal boxing gloves – change up the rote, rhythmic button presses. Other baubles, like a bow and arrow or the head of a god that’s used as a light source and hidden object finder mix things up further, keeping the 9 hour experience more engaging than it really should be.

GodofWar4

It has its problems. The series overreliance on Quick-time events seems more egregious now, given that modern gaming’s moved on, and Kratos’ in-game treatment of women, problematic even then, is even more pronounced.

I had a great time replaying the game, which hardly looks as if it’s a half-decade old. The remaster on offer here is a good one, even if it is a little sparse. The game runs at a nearly unwavering 60 frame per second at 1080p, adding a suitable layer of post-release polish. The occasional muddy texture is the only clue that this isn’t a brand new game modern game. It’s a great remaster – but it’s a barren, barebones one.

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Unless you really feel the need to relive the last chapter on Kratos’ saga, or haven’t yet played the game, there’s little reason to pick the game up. There’s no extra content at all, with the only addition being that of the now popular photomode. And even that’s limited. Thanks to the way the game utilises a fixed camera, all you’re able to do once you’ve entered it is change colours, frame shots and add filters; there’s no camera panning and very little control. There’s very little reason to replay it either. A few challenge missions and a handful of extraneous costumes that remix a few gameplay elements are present, but existed within the original PlayStation 3 release.

 

Last Updated: July 20, 2015

God of War III Remastered
It all feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. Had it been a compilation of all three numbered God of War titles, it’d be easy to recommend without hesitation, but as it stands now it’s only really worthwhile for God of War neophytes.
7.9
God of War III Remastered was reviewed on PlayStation 4
81 / 100

24 Comments

  1. Pariah

    July 20, 2015 at 10:39

    I’m thorry thir, but you theem to have a lithp.

    Reply

  2. Pariah

    July 20, 2015 at 10:39

    I’m thorry thir, but you theem to have a lithp.

    Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    July 20, 2015 at 10:46

    Day one buy if it was all three, R500 is a bit much though. Still a very good game and I’d recommend it for anyone who hasn’t played it yet

    Reply

    • WitWolfy

      July 20, 2015 at 12:48

      I said the same thing MANY times on other sites, just for fanboys to crucify me alive.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        July 20, 2015 at 13:09

        We don’t crucify here. He send people to Darryn’s room

        Reply

  4. Dutch Matrix

    July 20, 2015 at 10:50

    Nice write up Geoff.

    Reply

  5. Pariah

    July 20, 2015 at 10:53

    God of War III ReMEHstered.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      July 20, 2015 at 11:06

      teehee

      Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      July 20, 2015 at 11:12

      God of Snore…

      Reply

    • WitWolfy

      July 20, 2015 at 14:38

      Sony be like “Backwards compatibility is impossible on the PS4 due to the PS3 infrastructure”. Constantly re-releases PS3 games… Even though they know they could just be like MS and re-port every single game for free in the PS4 language and say its “BC”.

      “GREATNESS AWAITS.” My ass… More like: “REMASTERED EDITION” AWAITS.

      Reply

  6. Pariah

    July 20, 2015 at 10:55

    On a side note – women everywhere are jealous of Kratos’ eyelashes in the header image.

    Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      July 20, 2015 at 10:56

      Now that you mention it: Kratos does look like someone’s Ugly Greek Aunt…

      Reply

      • Pariah

        July 20, 2015 at 10:57

        LOL. Look at the header, and in a manly sort of woman’s voice read out: “Who put their filthy hands in my moussaka?” And picture a rolling pin in her hand.

        Reply

  7. DragonSpirit009

    July 20, 2015 at 10:57

    After reading this now I want to go play a bit of God of War!
    Never played the third game so I might get the remastered one whenever I can

    Reply

  8. RinceThis

    July 20, 2015 at 11:12

    7.9… How specific…

    Reply

    • SargonTheBatpandaOfTI5

      July 20, 2015 at 11:35

      Well it clearly scored under the universal good grade of 8, but was above the “meh” grade of 7. Plus the one time he shifted uncomfortably on the couch. So that had to figure in.

      Plus divination. And an Oracle.
      I hear Oracles are pretty hot…

      Reply

  9. RinceThis

    July 20, 2015 at 11:14

    I think I’ll pick this up in a bit.

    Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      July 20, 2015 at 11:18

      For some reason I was thinking you were considering picking up an STD. Please do not ask why. I am tired and did not sleep well…

      Reply

      • Pariah

        July 20, 2015 at 11:21

        It might have something to do with the state of your mind. That permanent state of “Wtf did he just say?”

        Reply

        • Dutch Matrix

          July 20, 2015 at 11:22

          The state of my mind right now is “Dutch, go to Bed! Dutch! Now! Dutch, don’t make me tell you again!”

          Reply

          • Pariah

            July 20, 2015 at 11:23

            As scary as it may sound, my mind is in the exact same state. :/

  10. SargonTheBatpandaOfTI5

    July 20, 2015 at 11:33

    I have, unfortunately, never been a fan of these titles. But it’s a really rad review.

    That header though. A mythed opportunity. Do you honestly think these up yourself? They’re so good!

    Reply

  11. konfab

    July 20, 2015 at 12:14

    Reading this has reminded me of how Sony missed an opportunity with the Heavenly sword series. A Heavenly Crossbow sequel with Kai would be an instant purchase for me.

    Reply

  12. Jonah Cash

    July 20, 2015 at 13:51

    Nope, brainless entertainment. Might as well join my wife when she watches MTV…. Which is never happening so this is never happening!

    Reply

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