god-of-war-2
Latest
Pre-orders open for God of War Collection on Vita
The God of War Collection for PlayStation Vita is now available to pre-order through GameStop. The pack includes remastered versions of Sony's first two PS2 games in the series with full trophy support. The listing does not indicate when the bundle will arrive, but it is priced at $39.99. Sony previously launched the God of War Collection on PS3 in November 2009 before packing the original games in with God of War 3, God of War: Chains of Olympus and God of War: Ghost of Sparta in the God of War Saga bundle for PS3 in August 2012. Those that own the former collection can already play the games on Vita thanks to a September 2012 update, which opened up remote play for the collection on the system.
Sale spotlight: God of War series, Mass Effect 2 on EU PSN this week
For the next week, PSN users across the pond can snag a slew of God of War stuff on the cheap, with PlayStation Plus members getting an additional 10 percent off everything. Dramatic discounts have been extended to the God of War Collection, each individual God of War game sans God of War 3, and even LittleBigPlanet DLC and the trilogy soundtrack. PlayStation Plus subscribers get an additional 10 percent off on all of that.This week also marks the debut of Mass Effect 3 as a free game for PlayStation Plus members in Europe, kicking off a month of pretty great freebies. To celebrate ME3's Instant Game Collection status, Sony is also discounting downloads of Mass Effect 2 by 30 percent for everyone – as with the God of War stuff, PlayStation Plus members take an additional 10 percent off.
Ico and God of War PS3 collections patched for Remote Play on Vita [update: later today]
The Remote Play patch for the God of War and Ico/Shadow of the Colossus collections is now live in Europe and the US [Update: It should go live in the US by 8PM PDT]. Sony announced the news on the PlayStation Blog.Sony president Shuhei Yoshida teased the Vita patch earlier this week – once applied, you can remotely play the PS3 HD versions of first two God of War games, Ico, and Shadow of the Colossus on your Vita. It's almost like magic.
God of War 'Master Collection' spotted on Amazon.de
If God of War Collection didn't collect game well enough for you, we just might have some good news. A listing for "God of War Master Collection" has been spotted on Amazon Germany. The listing has no image or description, though it clearly states that the PS3 collection includes every single God of War title -- well, except for God of War: Betrayal. In case you've lost track, that's God of War 1, God of War 2, God of War 3, Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta. Given Sony's penchant for fancy collections these days, a new, complete God of War compilation certainly makes sense. We've contacted Sony for confirmation on the Master Collection. [Thanks, Josh]
God of War 2's lost Atlantis level pulled from the abyss
When God of War 3 director Stig Asmussen recently revealed that "we cut less" from the PS3 game than from its PS2 predecessors, he wasn't kidding! As PlayStation Blog has unearthed, God of War 2 has the entire "lost" city of Atlantis buried in its design history. In the video after the break, level creator Jonathan Hawkins guides us through the blueprint. This was his first "big chance," recalls Hawkins, who says "knowing what i know now, it cracks me up how all out I went." He reckons three to four months were spent on the intricate Atlantis level before it was eventually scrapped as the game's story evolution went in a different direction. (Kratos does take care of unfinished Atlantis business in the new Ghost of Sparta PSP game.) "As a designer you have to have tough chops and, you know, roll with the punches," Hawkins warns with a chuckle about the unsentimental creative process. "I wish you guys could have played it."
'God of War Trilogy' boxset announced for Europe
We don't know how one box (unless it belongs to Pandora) can contain this much rage, but the God of War Trilogy boxset will rip Europe asunder in April. If it wasn't obvious from the title, the package contains all three titles in the anger management epic. Releasing at the same time as the God of War Collection, which includes the original game and the first sequel in one box, the Trilogy will cost €89.99 (£64.99), while the Collection requires a sacrifice of €39.99 (£24.99). Kratos's Blu-ray battle against the gods begins: UK, Ireland, Germany and Austria: April 30, 2010 Australia and New Zealand: April 29, 2010 The remainder of PAL lands: April 28, 2010 We're currently following up with Sony America to find out if the Fates deem the States worthy of the trilogy set. Check out the full box after the break. Update: There is no announcement for the Trilogy set in the States. %Gallery-75756%
God of War II could have been a PS3 launch game
God of War II was almost a PS3 game (at least, before it did become a PS3 game). In an interview with Game Informer, Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida remembered the internal debate over whether to release God of War II as one of the last big games for PS2 or as a headline title for the PS3 launch. "Many people, including marketing, suggested that maybe it should be moved to PS3," Yoshida recalled. Certainly, God of War II would've bolstered an exclusive launch lineup that was limited to Resistance: Fall of Man and very little else. "We had a lot of debates about it, actually. I always firmly stood by keeping it on PS2," Yoshida continued, noting that "the end of a platform is when you see really great games, after developers really begin to understand the hardware." Yoshida's "gamble" paid off, both critically and financially. If God of War II had been a PS3 launch title, more systems would probably have been pushed at launch, but software sales would've undoubtedly suffered compared to the game's success as a PS2 title. Besides, PS3 owners weren't excluded from the action! Back then, PS3s used to have this magical "backwards compatibility" thingy.
God of War Collection now $30 on Amazon
If you've held off on picking up God of War Collection, then know that Amazon has slashed the price to $30 for an unspecified amount of time. That's a tremendous deal for two of the best action-adventure games ever designed -- now with those very tight HD facelifts. Oh, and if it's been a while since you've played, and you're wondering how you'll get back into the swing of stabbing demons in the face, we've got your covered. [Via CAG]
God of War Collection players complain of freezing issues
Some folks over on the official PlayStation Forums allege to be having trouble playing God of War Collection. Several users are complaining that the game has been locking up on them, specifically after God of War's first cutscene and during the first mission. Most of the people who claim to be running into this freezing issue are running the game on 60GB launch PS3s, though a few PS3 Slim owners have also jumped into the threads to report the game is locking up on them, too. Additionally, commenters on PlayStation.Blog have reported the same problem and specifically implicate 60GB PS3s. While we didn't experience such issues playing the final game code on a debug PS3 unit, we've contacted Sony for comment on this report and will update as necessary. %Gallery-75756% [Thanks, Scott] Source - "God of War Collection Freezing Issues" [PlayStation.com Forums] Source - PlayStation.Blog comments
Reminder: This is how you play God of War
Just in case your God-killing skills have rusted since the end of God of War II on PS2, QA Tester Stephen Peterson has a few tricks up his sleeve. While this video from the PlayStation.Blog is meant to illustrate how to achieve the "15 Min Fight Scene' Trophy, it provides general hints that will be useful throughout Kratos' adventure. Pay attention to the weapons he chooses, and the magic he deploys. You'll see that with these tactics, a 500 hit combo goes from "ludicrous" to "entirely possible."Study this video like a textbook -- God of War Collection is only days away, and you won't want to miss out on two Platinum Trophies, right?
God of War Collection not hitting Europe this year
Hey, Europe. You're looking lovely today, has anyone told you that? Okay, quick like a band-aid: The PS3 God of War Collection won't make it to Europe this year. The collection includes the first two PS2 games in the series, updated with Trophies and 720p support.Sony Europe's form response to VG24/7: "We are currently looking into options to bring God of War I and II to SCEE consumers on PS3; however it will not be possible to release the games this calendar year. We will provide further information in due course."Here's a tip, though: The collection is unlikely to be region locked, so those in Europe who can't wait to experience Kratos' rage with all that extra "p" should probably check in with their favorite importers, or call up a Yank friend across the pond to sail a copy over.
Blu-ray God of War changes are minimal, doubles up on trophies
Here's today's enormous, shocking revelation: The recently announced Blu-ray God of War collection is going to be a whole heck of a lot like its PS2-based counterparts. Aside from a 720p visual boost and perhaps the addition of an HD-friendly HUD and font, the rest of the re-released games will "be the pure experience, what people would have played when they played God of War originally," according to a recent IGN interview with Sony Santa Monica's director of product development, John Hight.If you're put off by the lack of new features, perhaps your raging Trophy addiction will be cause enough to purchase the Blu-ray collection. Hight confirmed that the two games both contain their own unique sets of trophies, adding that there would "probably" be two prestigious Platinum trophies available for hardcore completionists. We shudder to imagine the amount of dismemberment required to obtain these merits. This is us shuddering.
Holidaze 2008: Live in the past, it's cheaper (Page 2)
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare What we said then: "Perhaps the most surprising thing about the game is how few actual revolutionary concepts are contained within. It selects existing game design tools, hones them to practical perfection and creates what is, in our opinion, the military shooter against which all others must be judged." What we say now: "An essential 'tunnel of fun' shooter with a rewarding multiplayer component. If you find yourself disappointed by this year's Call of Duty: World at War, it's probably this game's fault." Current retail price: $39.99 (Game of the Year edition)
Do Mario games need a better story?
God of War 2 director Cory Barlog recently criticized Super Mario Galaxy in his blog for its "vapid story." While he does have some positive things to say about the game, Barlog was ultimately left disappointed. As for the reason he didn't get hooked on the game, he speculates, "I think it is because I just don't care about the why. I mean, the freaking princess is abducted ... again." The fact that Mario games sell incredibly well isn't lost on him, and he acknowledges that they're fun to play, but to him they're still missing a key element.Barlog expressing his distaste for something Wii related is nothing new, but all the same, we think his point is valid. While playing Mario games is more about the great platforming experience than the "why" behind it, we can't help but wonder if some fresh story elements would bring some life into the franchise. We certainly wouldn't complain if we were to see something different in the next iteration of Mario, but maybe that's just us.[Via Game|Life]
Adgadget: Goat of war
Looking back at the decapitated goat scandal that was Sony's press event for God of War II, which hit British tabloids and gaming news last month, the freshly slaughtered skin may have been the least offensive part.If you frequented any gaming sites in the last few weeks, chances are you saw more pixilated pictures of flesh than you would have in a commercial for Girls Gone Wild. Unfortunately, not all the skin was of the girl variety – most of the pixilated flesh belonged to a freshly slaughtered goat that made an appearance at an event held in Greece to promote the recent launch of the game God of War II. Among the festivities back in March, guests were challenged invited to win a PS3 by reaching into what looked like the most pathetic pit of snakes and eat a traditional Greek dish fashioned after goat intestines while topless women paraded around the joint. The goat had been purchased from a butcher prior to the event and though a spokesperson claimed the goat had not been slaughtered for the event, many were left skeptical considering goats aren't typically decapitated in such a manner. A video of the event surfaced, complete with commentary and cliché flame graphics.
Sony explains God of War's dead goat antics
"Slaughter: Horror at Sony's depraved promotion stunt with decapitated goat" is the sort of headline that sells newspapers -- the UK's Daily Mail in particular(NSFW). Starting with an evocative first word and ending with outright animal cruelty, it's a snappy summation of an event that was probably rife with sexual debauchery, devil worship and inappropriate hobnobbery! And that isn't even a word! Indeed, how could other papers even compete with their silly "facts" and less sensational headlines like "Promotion: Butcher-obtained goat displayed in dramatization while journalists drink soup from china bowls!" Well, we suppose that one is a little bit on the long side.Then again, so is the story revolving around Sony's European God of War II event. It seems somewhere between the Daily Mail's spin and the Official PlayStation Magazine's (now recalled) retelling of the Greek-themed costume party, things... goat a little out of hand. Sony's senior director of corporate communications, Dave Karakker, told Joystiq that the reporter responsible for the OPSM article didn't even bother to attend the event. The basis of his article was the invitational pamphlet, "which employed a degree of hyperbole in order to encourage attendance."Furthermore, the infamous goat was thoroughly dead upon arrival. It was procured from a qualified butcher, was returned after the event and was never allowed to be touched by journalists (no kidding around). The goat was filled with "a meat soup, made to a traditional Greek recipe and served to attendees in china bowls direct from the caterers," leaving claims of "offal" as someone likely mishearing a complaint about the actual taste of the dish. No soup came directly from the goat. "We recognise that the use of a dead goat was in poor taste and fell below the high standards of conduct we set ourselves. We are conducting an enquiry to establish the circumstances behind the event in order to ensure this does not happen again. We also apologise to anyone offended by the article in the OPSM (subscription copies were sent out ahead of street date)." It was undeniably tacky, but hardly the "Phil Harrison bites the head off a chimp and mows down the audience using a Tommy Gun" debacle you may have envisioned before. (They're saving that one for The Getaway 3.)
Today's spoilerest game video: God of War 2 ending
If you're the sort who reads the last page of a book before its beginning, bask in the various recordings of the God of War 2 ending that have found their way to YouTube. We picked the extra-long seven-minute cut; witness several missteps by Kratos in addition to the finale.Need we say "spoiler alert?" Watch the video after the break.
God of War 3 dependent on you buying God of War 2!
We're not going to go over the angle that God of War may make an appearance on the PSP sometime in the future. That's great and all, but we'd really rather see a PlayStation 3 adventure involving Kratos and some pretty intense fighting. If you want a God of War 3, it seems David Jaffe and company will respond to sales and reception of the second game.Cory Barlog, game director for GoW2, had this to say about the production of the third title: "...it's really early; it's not like, "Yes, we're going forward." It's more like, "If this goes well on the second one, what would we do on the third one?" It will really be dependent on sales and fan response to GoW II." Sweet. We hope that the team doesn't have a lot of trouble working with the PS3 -- we'd like them to do the best they can and they wouldn't settle for anything less, would they? So, guys, buy God of War 2! It'll be awesome and we'll get a third. What's to lose, except $50 or so?[fixed spelling errors... lovely how people try so hard to find something to yell at.]
God of War 2 videos are hack-a-licious
Showing that she isn't done yet, the PS2 shines in these videos for God of War II, expected to release in March. The first God of War was one of the most thrilling and action packed titles in memory, an amazing game in presentation and execution. After watching these videos of the demo for God of War II, which looks to bring us more of the same gameplay and fantastic boss battles, it reminds us why the PS2 was last generation's winner -- this game looks amazing! The first video sets the scene and introduces another larger than life boss for Kratos to take down. The continuation of the video can be found after the break. God of War II is expected to release March 13 and it looks like fans of the original game are in for a treat with this sequel.
God of War II nears completion
Sleep deprived and rambling a bit, God of War II director Cory Barlog updates us on the status of Sony's sequel. Yesterday, Barlog blogged, "it is safe to say that all of the primary work for God of War 2 has been completed." What's left is the final QA testing, suggesting that Kratos is on schedule for his projected March return -- what's being billed as PlayStation 2's swan song.Barlog also spends a few words defending God of War II's quick weapon-switch, which has apparently been targeted by Devil May Cry faithful. "Some call it stealing; I call it realizing when something works," argues Barlog. Hey, if it ain't patented, trademarked, or copyrighted, it's fair game.
