God of War: Ascension

Ok, you can say that God of War: Ascension is less epic than the previous chapters and it lacks somewhere in terms of narrative and news ideas, but if you dig further you can find a much improved gameplay, a compelling adventure and some of the most incredible boss fights you can ever face in a videogame.

There's plenty of blood, stunning action, fun and a few puzzles in this game. It's Kratos losing his family, losing his mind and annihilating massive creatures. It's a God of War, and there's little we can say apart from that. You already knew if this game was meant for you or not.

Beyond one particularly challenging battle which takes place towards the very end of the game, Ascension is action-packed though not especially difficult. The boss encounters are definitely as epic as expected, even if they seem more few and far between in comparison to other God of War games.

Although it's far from innovative, God of War: Ascension is a truly epic tale of violence that will tell the origins of its well-known spartan. Aside from an unremarkable multiplayer side, Kratos' new adventure is an amazing production that will not disappoint.

Overall, God of War Ascension is another good game in a good game series.

A supremely spectacular trip back into ancient Greece, with reworked combat, more puzzles and superb pacing. [Issue#229, p.64]

Full of verve, Kratos returns and wounds everyone and everything like in his past years. Do not worry about its multiplayer game, and enjoy the exceptional mythical opus written in the golden age of PS3. For the PlayStation 3 owners this is a must, for the others this is a very good reason to buy SONY's gaming machine.

With Sony so laser-focused on the multiplayer component since Ascension was announced, we were understandably worried that the single-player side of things may end up a rote retread of old ground. But we’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong, and from its gorgeous visual and evolved combat to its lavish presentation and tight pacing, this is arguably the best God Of War yet.

God of War Ascension is not just the best action game of the moment, it's the new technical yardstick on home consoles, and the perfect example of how to rejuvenate a series working with care and attention on the gameplay dynamics.

God of War: Ascension offers a gaming experience that is at the level of the best in this generation of consoles.

God of War Ascension is one of the most beautiful, brutal and funny action games you can play these days. This prequel definitely lives up to its predecessor, proposing an astounding adventure, and a climax of action and brutality with no equals. On the top of that there is a new multiplayer mode that brings over the character of the series.

Ascension is not content to rest on past success, giving players new combat options, a fresh approach to magic and rage, an even larger sense of scale, and some small but meaningful mechanical changes that improve the overall polish to the game.

While not quite the high-point of the God Of War series, Ascension delivers an action-packed, gloriously-produced, freak-bashing extravaganza with an addictive multiplayer component to boot.

God of War has never looked or played better than this. Kratos has never been as deep or interesting as this. They've set the bar so high that I have no idea how they'll be able to follow this one up. Sony Santa Monica should be proud. Series fans should be proud.

God of War: Ascension isn’t a bad game by any stretch of the imagination, but considering it’s lineage, it feels like a step back rather than a step forward.

Exactly what one would expect from one of Kratos’ adventures. It’s gritty, action packed, super-violent, and feels as epic as ever. As fun as it is, one can’t help but feel like we have played this game before...perhaps a major change of scenery is needed before this patented formula wears out its welcome.

Ascension might be a prequel but it's far from a step behind in the relevance of God of War. Instead it is a necessary evolution that builds a better future for the franchise. Its half baked multiplayer could benefit with further balance and better objectives but putting that aside, the story is as tradition dictates an epic tale of vengeance, blood and loads of action. Despite the glorious combat and top-notch graphics, we can avoid feeling disenchanted with a toned down Kratos, but after all it comes with the logic of this being the beginnings.

Ascension shows a warrior who is miles away from being the ultimate and flawless killing machine we all know and love. He is more like an unguided projectile here, trying to cope with all the injustice delivered unto him. [April 2013, p.62]

Bloodier than ever, the god of Sony's IPs come back with a title than focuses on the beginning of the tragedy. Reluctant to remember what happened, Kratos only wants to break the pact he made once with Ares. God of War: Ascension bring us a visual spectacle that pushes PlayStation 3 to its limits, carrying new elements for the gameplay and even a Multiplayer mode that helps to extend the life of this spartan odyssey. A great Good-bye to the character until the Next Generation.

Despite the greatness of the combat, the new additions that enhance our enjoyment of the brutal battle, the awesome spectacle and sense of scale, and the top-notch graphics, we do feel – to some extent – let down. We seem to be missing the very core of Kratos, the awe-inspiring nature of the series isn’t quite as obvious here, and the multiplayer isn’t up to par.

Instead of watching Kratos become less and less mortal, we are reconnected to him as a human betrayed by the Gods.

God of War: Ascension does exactly what you would expect from a God of War title.The sheer amount of violence and tension is simply breathtaking, especially when taking place right on top of a giant creature. The entire experience is accompanied by stunning graphics and an impressive soundtrack. While the multiplayer is somewhat disappointing, it is apparent that Kratos is still this generation's most fearsome warrior.

You can point out that Ascension failed to make a real step forward. You can argue that the multiplayer mode is a foreign body, a strained attempt to find innovation in the wrong place. That’s true, but in my eyes the foundation built by the previous God of War games proved to be strong enough to sustain what I hope is just the calm before the storm that Kratos will unleash on PS4. And damn, Ascension looks unbelievable! [CD-Action 05/2013, p.64]

At the end of day, it's a new God of War game that hits most of the high notes we have experience before, with a few new mechanics.

God of War Ascension contains all the bigger than Ben Hur gameplay from the series and is another enjoyable Kratos experience. However as this game happens before many key elements of Kratos story, it does feel a little smaller in terms of scope. This is not to say that God of War Ascension is a bad game but it does feel a little limited opposed to Kratos with all his godlike powers.

God of War Ascension doesn't top God of War III, but that doesn't mean it's not a good game. It is; with a great single-player adventure and an interesting multiplayer mode with a lot of potential. It takes some getting used to, but if you manage to do that, you'll enjoy yourself for many hours to come.

This trip to Kratos's past brings us an adventure that is packed with the better virtues of the God of War franchise. Spectacular visuals, a dynamic experience, a well-delivered online mode and a surprisingly powerful battle system, are the main features of this last installment of the saga. Nonetheless, its Achilles heel is the not so appealing storyline, which makes gameplay and audiovisuals the main assets God of War: Ascension has at its disposal.

God of War Ascension is a controversial subject. If fans will be disappointed because the game is less spectacular than God of War 3, newcomers will be seduced by Kratos who has always been close to perfection. SCEA Santa Monica Studio masters the main aspects of the game: graphics are beautiful, the final boss fight is huge and the voice acting is efficient. In fact, the problem is all people remember God of War 3 and were expecting the same show. This is not the case and we think that the game should be seen as a transitional period which allows a second team to develop God of War 4. We hope that.

It may not be as grand and impressive as God of War III was back in 2010, but Ascension delivers a solid God of War single player experience along with an interesting multiplayer mode to try with your friends.

While many find the God of War series to be repetitive in its formula, it continues to deliver a refreshing take that satisfies the core fan base. And though the campaign is shorter and the number of epic boss fights leaves you wanting more, this is the most human we have ever seen Kratos and the story compels you to him unlike ever before.

While still a great action game, it's definitely the least refined of the bunch, and starts to show some big issues when it comes to defensive mechanics, due to some miscalculations in the challenge level. The multiplayer luckily improves the experience, with fun gameplay and some exhilarating moments.

God of War III left so little left unexplored, so few Mythological figures left unchallenged, so instead Sony Santa Monica broke new ground with a multiplayer offering that lives up to the franchise’s staple combat and brutality, while perfectly complimenting it.

Entertaining but also unexciting after the breathtaking God of War III. The multiplayer mode feels fresh though. [Apr 2013]

God of War: Ascension is a conundrum. The online is more than it should be, and the single player is well executed, but I couldn’t help but feel fatigue with the series set in from time to time.

Combines bold action with a certain level of restraint, taking a few chances but still hewing close to the familiar. The unexpected multiplayer arenas will click with some, while others may not even touch it, and only the server logs, written on ancient papyrus scrolls, will show if it has staying power.

There is no doubt that God of War fans will certainly find much to enjoy in this latest installment, but when standing next to its colossal brethren, this game is the weakest link in this long standing iconic series.

A mixed bag of mythological tricks. The single-player wasn’t as strong as I’d hoped it would be with an anger neutered Kratos a little bland. It was all just a little bit off. The revamped combat wasn’t anywhere as smooth as I’d have liked and the difficulty spikes felt incredibly cheap, even for a franchise veteran such as myself. On the flipside, graphically it was astounding, the boss battles were epic and the multiplayer is something I’ll definitely go back to for sh.ts and giggles.

Coming as it does then at the end of a the PlayStation 3’s lifecycle God of War: Ascension is a stunning technological achievement which will always satisfy but rarely wow given the ever-decreasing gains as you move from a launch window to year seven of a particular hardware setup.

In a decade, God of War: Ascension may very well be looked upon as that weird middle child that nobody really wants to talk to. But for now, it’s still a consistent, well-polished bundle of fun and really, that’s all that should count. [May 2013, p72]

With the possible exception of the Katamari games, there are few other series that have as good a grasp on scale as God of War. [Issue#235]

God of War: Ascension is really good. It's a game that will keep you entertained for a dozen or so hours (or more, if you get into the decent multiplayer mode). You need to know though, that the developers have kept it safe: everything you see here has been done before, but there's less that is "epic" and there's less "grandeur" than before. Still, Ascension is very pretty and has some great camera work that shows Kratos from unusual angles. Don't waste what is probably the last chance to spend some time with your favorite warrior.

Even if the puzzles are a bit uneven in their quality, it is still one of the best hack and slash games around. In the past this series managed to elevate itself from other solidly entertaining games of that ilk a bit better, with all the glorious set-pieces and awe-inspiring moments. These are harder to find in Ascension, though. But what did you expect, when the gods themselves have already been felled? Still, this was a lot of fun, but the next God of War better have some really interesting ideas, if it wants us to really marvel at it again.

Without multiplayer, Ascension would be a weaker package. It’s only slightly above average on the grand stage of action, and is marred with technical problems, a lack of polish, and a lack of a poignant narrative. But overall, the experience is still a positive one, and Sony Santa Monica did a great job bringing competitive play to the franchise.

Ascension is exactly the God of War you'd expect: colossal in its scale, technically majestic, insanely gruesome and fun to play. A huge production that shows the brute horsepower of the PS3, while denoting the weaknesses of a series that has reached its peak and needs a breathe of fresh air.

God of War: Ascension is an intriguing blend of action-oriented hack-and-slash combat and puzzles. Though the platforming aspects don't really sell Ascension, they do give you an opportunity to catch your breath.

God of War: Ascension is another great entry into the beloved series that fans will eat-up, but it’s just that — another entry. While other hack ‘n’ slash series like DmC have been reinvented and boast fresh mechanics and tone, Ascension is content with simply being another God of War.

The combat itself is fun, with most of the enjoyment on offer during team-based modes when you're working together to assault (or defend) objectives.

While it remains to be seen whether or not Ascension's multiplayer mode will receive the backing of a sizeable community, we can safely say that after eight years of making God of War games, Santa Monica Studio still knows how to craft an epic and enjoyable single-player experience unmatched in scale.

The action is fun, the graphics are astounding, and players are pulled from one high-adrenaline moment to the next. But it’s also disappointing. Fans are accustomed the rising stakes and escalating scale that make Kratos attain deific heights, but Ascension proves that he is mortal after all.

True to the franchise, this is unadulterated God of War. While the insight and motivation of the character is highly enjoyable, the game doesn't do enough new things to make it as impressive as the huge creatures and levels it portrays.

Thanks to top-notch mechanics and the deep well that is Greek mythology, Ascension is a winner. It may not be the absolute best God of War game, but it's certainly worthy of the moniker.

Kratos still delivers. But after all those years and especially the grand experience that was God of War 3 you slowly get the feeling that you’ve seen it all.

While it might not be the perfect gateway drug to the series for players just getting to know Kratos, for die hard fans of the franchise, Ascension should provide an ample fix as they wait to see what the next generation of consoles holds for their favourite Spartan anti-hero.

Kratos may not be gaming’s most charismatic protagonist but it turns out he has a surprising knack for multiplayer as well as single-player action, in one of the best-looking games on the PlayStation 3.

Ascension isn’t a reinvention of God of War; it’s a refinement. It plays on its strengths – exciting combat, great visuals, and huge levels — even when those strengths might overshadow some of the new things it tries to accomplish (like adding emotional depth to its lead hero).

Ascension delivers on everything that has made the series great. Solid single-player and jaw dropping graphics. Kratos is as angry as ever and the mythological creatures are huge and impressive as we have come to expect. Add a fun multiplayer with tons a gameplay and we have another winner.

It’s still definitely worth playing, but there’s a nagging feeling that it could have been better...Yes, it’s visually stunning – definitely a showcase for what Sony’s first party studios can do – but it simply doesn’t quite draw you in like it should and without that investment from the player it’s one set piece after another.

A highly-accomplished if not completely fulfilling rampage. There’s a base level of quality that hasn’t slipped from the excellent God Of War III – this looks even better, puts things onscreen that are, somehow, even bigger. But this technical muscle isn’t given the best stage on which to oil and flex, thanks to a story that simply idles the roaring engine of death that is Kratos, and keeps the series ticking over until the next, more substantial step forward.

God of War Ascension is surprisingly efficient and polished, both in solo and multiplayer. This new chapter of the story of Kratos is as interesting to discover as it is fun to play, thanks to smartly revised combat elements, and the multiplayer is far from being a bulletpoint added on the packshot for marketing reasons: it's fun and rich, even though it may lack a little more content to really capture in the long run.

The multiplayer's a bust, but God of War: Ascension's campaign is a gloriously bloody adventure filled with exhilarating combat.

While the single-player will leave something to be desired, you'll find more than you need to stay entertained in online matches and the challenges, levels, and weapons therein. Kratos may have a lot of miles on him, but the gladiators that take to the online colosseum are fresh and eager for blood.

Irrespective of its title, God of War: Ascension is not the colossal step forward for Kratos that was promised – but a surprisingly refreshing online component and some of the most spectacular set-pieces in the series make the adventure worth traversing all the same.

Whether multiplayer was a distraction that led to standards ever so slightly slipping in single-player is debatable. With such a strong combat system and beautiful looks, Kratos’ prequel could have eclipsed them all with a handful of key tweaks. Not quite the murdery meteoric rise we were hoping for then, but certainly not a fall from grace either.

While this manic multiplayer probably isn’t enough to sell the game on its own, the deep advancement system – where you can unlock and advance armor, relics, magic items, abilities and more – is enough to wring plenty more hours out of Ascension. I actually enjoyed it more than the single-player mode and only wish there were additional modes and maps.

The combat has been refined and is therefore as satisfying as ever, but the lack of any really memorable set-pieces – combined with its tiresome reliance on carbon copy battles against waves of exactly the same enemy – result in a game that is at times spectacular but all too often forgettable.

Despite some incredible set-pieces, the single-player is God of War on autopilot. [May 2013, p.72]

I can't overstate [how] quickly I became engrossed by the multiplayer.

God Of War: Ascension delivers another strong Kratos outing, albeit one that does slip into a predictable routine a little too often. Fans will still get plenty of mileage from Ascension though and multiplayer is excellent.

The star is the multiplayer mode, and it’s often inventive and fun to play if you’re willing to stick with it. And single-player is no slouch either, packing around eight or so hours of play, but it’s both not as polished or engaging as earlier titles, and not as exciting a story to work through — even though I don’t hate Kratos this time out.

Multiplayer successfully delivers everything I really want from a new God of War game. If only the singleplayer were as good.

It takes six hours for God of War: Ascension to get going, which is a long time. Fortunately the spectacular final set piece manages to save the game. Because of this crooked balance, and a long line of minor mistakes, this is the lesser of the God of War games currently available. It feels like the typical God of War-formula was saved for the multiplayer, which is surprisingly fun. The combat system is well balanced and every map has a typical God of War-surprise in place for players. This makes Ascension a Pandora's box of sorts, with the unnecessary choices on top, covering hope.

Sadly, there are weaknesses here that are exclusively down to the new additions to the game, and this makes it tough to call Ascension a particularly great game in its own right.

The single player is solid but doesn’t try a ton of new things, and the multiplayer is brand new but has plenty of room to grow. God of War: Ascension is a very well put together game and one made for fans of the series who want to get their Kratos fix in while we wait for the next true successor in the franchise.

God of War: Ascension is a decent addition to the franchise. Combat remains sharp and puzzles are more intricate than ever. Unfortunately, a lack of interesting source material never shakes off the feeling that the stakes are lower here. This is easily the weakest God of War title to date, but when you consider the immense quality of the previous five games, it's perhaps to be expected.

As a complete package, God of War Ascension has its fair shares of excitement and disappointment. There is no doubt this is a good game with fantastic-looking graphics, quality combat mechanics and a fun, if somewhat experimental, multiplayer; but the problem lies mostly with the single-player.

The single-player campaign is uneven and, at its best, fails to match the zenith of what's gone before - a myth growing weaker with each retelling. But the punchy multiplayer broadens the game's aspirations and its appeal in a welcome way, offering a refined competitive arena.

Ascension is a car riding in the spectacle slipstream of its predecessors, never quite able to surpass them.

A clear example of a studio going to the well with a franchise one too many times. Although highly polished and still entertaining for fans of the franchise, Ascension lacks the soul of its predecessors as it scrapes the bottom of the Greek-mythology barrel to try to deliver on a franchise that’s clearly run dry of fresh ideas.

Its core mechanics keep God of War: Ascension on its feet, but it doesn’t take many risks in order to impress the player. The story starts off slow and the experience is often tempered by uninteresting sequences. Aside from the great combat and the spectacular images every now and then, the game feels uninspired. Thankfully the multiplayer is surprisingly fun, which somewhat eases the pain of this slight disappointment.

The fans' greatest concern - the multiplayer - is actually one of the highlights of this game. The campaign could have been better paced, though.

”Same mechanics, new skin” seems to be the motto for God of War: Ascension. A prequel without big flaws that lacks some extra spice. Fans of the mechanics and the character will find instant recognition but somewhat less satisfaction than the previous games.

The multiplayer succeeds at making God of War work as a cooperative and competitive experience, but doesn’t have the depth to exist on its own. The campaign feels derivative and lacking the forceful confidence that made the series a showpiece for cinematic character-driven action games.

Also somewhat disappointing are the newly added multiplayer features, which are held up by clever level design and strong game modes, but smacked down by uninteresting gameplay. It sounds great in theory, but in practice it turns out there's nothing less fun than being beat up by someone as powerful as Kratos.

The campaign is simultaneously more of the same and less of the same, being marginally shorter than God of War III’s story, yet lacking that game’s ferocity and pacing. It arguably has the lowest ‘wow’ factor of the four mainline games to date, and in a series that trades on spectacle, that’s not the best sign. Yet the multiplayer component is as fresh as the single-player is familiar.

Ascension’s biggest success is a colour-coding system that effectively lets you know when you have an opening and when to run. Unblockable attacks are signalled by a player glowing red, white denotes invincibility, and blue signals a player in recovery. It’s a simple, smart system further improved by rock-paper-scissors combat (heavy beats parry beats light beats heavy), cooldown-controlled special moves and a logical, consistent approach to hitstun. Consider our expectations defied: this is the star of the show.

It’s not that the Spartan warrior’s step has lost its spring – it’s as lively and bloody as ever. The exhaustion comes from familiarity, that bitter breeder of contempt. Aside from a few rough patches, Ascension is a reasonably competent God of War game. But it’s undermined by an unshakable sense of déjà vu.

Ascension isn’t as tactically gratifying as the latest Devil May Cry. The fighting has more of a splashy throwaway quality, often because it’s swallowed up by special effects or flailing character models or vast settings.