God of War....

[The Spartan (Returns)]

Frag to Frog, God of War. It's very forgiving for this type of game, this is not a hardcore game like Ninja Gaiden or Devil may Cry 3. Besides, you want to know what all the fuss is about. If you even remotily think you will enjoy this game, you will have a blast, that's a promise.

I like those games better.

@doc_bean
I got to the city part, and then I dozed off. Yeah I don't really like action/adventure games that much. Some games I do.

@Frog I played Onimusha (1) and it was sweet. I didn't play Onimusha 3 but since there is a 3rd one, I can predict it's even better; you should play Onimusha 3.

[Lehesu]

I still think Ninja Gaiden is the holy grail for third-person action.

[doc_bean]

Hmm, got somewhat further in to the game...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Trial of Hades, about 8 hours in.

I have to say that there's been a drop in quality at one point

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

after you leave the city

it's still a good game, but the excellent pacing is somewhat gone. There are also a ew other things that irk me. Still, a very good game up to this point, and still highly recommended, but I doubt it will beat Sands of Time as my favourite action adventure game by the end.

[Fragony]

That part is for GOW what the dream-sequence was for Max Payne. Frankly it sucks, but it picks up again after that. None of that in GOW2, an even better game.

[frogbeastegg]

Alright, I got it. If it doesn't click I'll move on to Onimusha 3.

So far I'm up to the first boss. I'm not feeling any magic, but nor is it dreadful. All the puzzles and variety must appear later; all I'm doing is hitting things over and over with a rather meh weapon (oddly shaped blades attached to his arms via elasticated chains!?). Ah well, I've played many games with dull or rubbish beginnings. Some improved, some did not. Only way to find out is to keep hitting things with my elasto-blades.


RE Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden: I own both and have played some of each quite some time ago. I liked them and didn't do too badly, amazingly. DMC I had to shelve after the defeating first boss due to exams, and NG I decided to come back to when I was in the mood/able to to play the game for more than an hour a week. When I've honed my reflexes in supposedly easier games I'll go back to them

[doc_bean]

Alright, I got it. If it doesn't click I'll move on to Onimusha 3.

So far I'm up to the first boss. I'm not feeling any magic, but nor is it dreadful. All the puzzles and variety must appear later; all I'm doing is hitting things over and over with a rather meh weapon (oddly shaped blades attached to his arms via elasticated chains!?). Ah well, I've played many games with dull or rubbish beginnings. Some improved, some did not. Only way to find out is to keep hitting things with my elasto-blades.

The weird weapons stay, though you get more combos when you level up which makes them more fun, some later enemies are also a bit more interesting, the next part should have a bunch of small (puzzles) and some more diverse enemies, the later parts include more elaborate puzzles, but not really complex since they're mostly key hunts.

I'm now at

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

the upper part of the pandora temple.

[frogbeastegg]

Having finished my unexpected Magical Starsign detour I'm back with God of War. It's doing better.

As I hadn't got very far into the game, and since it had been a couple of weeks since I last touched it, I restarted. On a higher difficulty. Moment of madness - I thought it might reduce the "spam square-square-triangle" tedium. It has. Reaching Athens is the other factor in my improved view of the game. That opening sequence was boring, full of the same few easy enemies and no real break from thumping them upside the head. Athens mixes things up: more enemies, tougher fights, puzzling, platforming, and bits of plot.

I'm now up to the part where you can see a Titan in the background ... 'Road to Athens', IIRC. I've died twice, both times to those big grey behemoths in the square with the fountain. All in all I find that encouraging.

I do wish they'd put roll on L1+left stick like most games, instead of on the right stick. It's awkward. This would have enabled them to give the player a degree of control over the camera, so they could tweak the view if required. There have been occasions where the default view is not the one I'd prefer.

Question: what's the point of parrying? I don't seem to be able to chain an attack from it, or do anything useful. There's got to be some reward for the fine timing it requires.

Question the second: Any recommendations for upgrade paths? So far I've done 1 level on my weapons, and can almost afford a second. I don't use magic much presently.


Anyone played the sequel?