God of War 3

[RunningMild]

I thought that metal EP was gonna be done by a team of no-names (nothing wrong with that if they're talented), but I just discovered it's been done by artists I've actually heard of. Killswitch Engage, Trivium, Opeth, and others. Sounds like fun. :p

[Sweating Bullets]

Just got the Pandora Box edition from Sydney (ebay)
Should be here next week I hope.

[Natrak]

The Boss battle with Hades left me absolutely floored, it was a tonne of fun with a great pattern and the visuals were just gorgeous. The claws of Hades are a really cool weapon, already they feel better than any of the extra weapons in GoW1&2.

[RunningMild]

The Boss battle with Hades left me absolutely floored, it was a tonne of fun with a great pattern and the visuals were just gorgeous. The claws of Hades are a really cool weapon, already they feel better than any of the extra weapons in GoW1&2.

Don't tell me all the secondary weapons in this game are gauntlets? :p

Not that I care. The only decent alt weapon in past GoW games was the Gauntlet of Zeus, so if it ain't broke...

[Natrak]

You know those big hooks Hades was using to pull the soul out of one of the Titans in GoW2? The hooks you no doubt saw him wielding in God of War 3 footage? Those are the Claws of Hades...and they're freaking awesome.

[RunningMild]

You know those big hooks Hades was using to pull the soul out of one of the Titans in GoW2? The hooks you no doubt saw him wielding in God of War 3 footage? Those are the Claws of Hades...and they're freaking awesome.

Yeah, when I first read 'Claws of Hades' I got a mental image of the Durga (?) in Bayonetta. Five minutes later I remembered that scene where he pulls Atlas' soul out and realised that might be what you meant. :p

Picked mine up today, pretty awesome package but I'm disappointed it doesn't contain the Blood and Metal EP. Still, having the full soundtracks for all three games kinda makes up for it.

On that note, I really have no idea why everyone was so outraged by EB's price for the Ultimate Edition. You get two new release (technically) games, and even if you buy them from Play-Asia they end up being $120 combined. Three full length LPs, let's make a conservative estimate and say you can import them for $20 each, that's $180. Throw in the art book and the Pandora's Box and you're over $200. You're getting value for money IMO.

[Citizen Erased]

Im soo glad the developers didn't turn GOW 3 into a music based kart racer.

[RunningMild]

Correction: It did contain the Blood and Metal EP, but it was part of the free DLC you get with the package. The files are listed as MP3s so hopefully it won't be too difficult to transfer them to a computer, iTunes and so on...

On another note, this game is fantastic. It's everything I hoped it would be.

[Cobla]

The first 30-40 minutes could possibly be the best opening of any game ever! AMAZING :)

[Antwandemarco]

Yeah i was pretty blown away. Just running through Hades now and loving it. Actually my first god of war game. Not sure why i never played any of the previous ones...

[Tonez]

I have to hurry up and finish God of War 2.

I stared at the God of War 3 box last night while play the 2nd installment. The thing is the 2nd one is brilliant anyway and I really don't want to rush it.

Great thing is I have a free pass tonight and tomorrow day as my Mrs is organising a lot of wedding stuff. So glad I gave her control.

[AnTrAxX]

I got the ultimate edition as well. At first I was underwhelmed but after rummaging through it all I am now content. Kinda wish the actual game had the collector's edition slip case not the standard.

The opening level, whoa, especially the end of it. Playing on hard is actually hard, I'm hoping to get good enough to play through on Titan mode.

[naclj]

i ordered this from fishpond and got it for $72 (with $10 off coupon) but wont actually get it till next week.
im not too worried, perfect dark will tide me over the weekend and im still recovering from ME2 withdrawals.

[RunningMild]

The opening level, whoa, especially the end of it. Playing on hard is actually hard, I'm hoping to get good enough to play through on Titan mode.

Yeah, I started on Hard as well so I've died quite a lot. :p

Funny thing is, I've had the same experience with this game as every other one of this genre. When I started off with all the attacks and combos on Hard, I was having trouble getting re-accustomed to the fighting engine, and basically just fumbling around thinking that the game was pretty average. Then when you lose all your stuff and start from scratch with limited attacks, I quickly re-learned the fundamentals and got instantly hooked on the game. I was doing pop-up attacks, aerial combos, blocking, dodging, re-learning all the combos I used to do in the other games, and it was just pure magic.

And after learning the fundamentals, I'm starting to think this may be the best GoW ever, because the stuff they've added to the fighting engine has improved the game so drastically. Switching weapons mid-combo, those new grapple attacks, linking the magic attacks to the weapons themselves, and are we actually going to have four weapons that are all worth using? Also, having QTEs on the edge of the screen is fantastic, because instead of having to focus on the prompts, you can just watch the action and identify the inputs based on what side of the screen they appear on. Hell, it doesn't matter if you haven't memorised which button is where, the face buttons could be blank and you'd still hit the QTEs flawlessly. Brilliant.

BTW, I thought it was hilarious that one of the songs on the EP was called 'This Is Madness'. Madness?

THIS
IS
SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

[Natrak]

It's definitely the best God of War yet, they've done a great job of refining the combat. As you said, the seamless switching between weapons mid-combo, new magic system, air dash and the combat grapple are just all great, tight additions/modifications to the formula.

I haven't really used the fourth weapon a whole lot (and I've had it for a while now), although it looks like it's really easy to juggle with. If there's one problem it's probably that the Cestus are a bit overpowered, I'm finding myself using them a lot.

Definitely agree on the button prompt front. Now you can really appreciate what's going on and just keep an eye out for the prompts in your periphery - the fact they made the edge of the screen the prompt appears on glow is a big improvement over the demo, too. As you said, you don't even need to keep an eye out for the actual button itself - if the right edge of the screen glows you know it's O, if the bottom edge glows you know it's X etc. I will say, however, that the few instances where you need to move the stick according to the prompt on screen have a habit of tripping me up (I mean the half and 3/4 circle prompts).

I think I'm closing in on the end of the game now and I just had a couple of quite tough battles - I'm only playing on God, I'm not sure I would have handled them on Titan. I'm not majorly skilled at these sort of games, though, so take that for what you will. Either way, good luck. :P

There are some really fun puzzles throughout, and one in particular almost broke my brain, if you've been playing Echochrome, though you might not have much trouble. :P

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I have to hurry up and finish God of War 2.

I stared at the God of War 3 box last night while play the 2nd installment. The thing is the 2nd one is brilliant anyway and I really don't want to rush it.

Great thing is I have a free pass tonight and tomorrow day as my Mrs is organising a lot of wedding stuff. So glad I gave her control.

Look Tonez I don't want to tell you how to live your life, but maybe you should put GoW2 down and just start GoW3. You hardly want to be burnt out on the series by the time you start playing the best game in it.

[RunningMild]

Look Tonez I don't want to tell you how to live your life, but maybe you should put GoW2 down and just start GoW3. You hardly want to be burnt out on the series by the time you start playing the best game in it.

Says the guy who's not a fan of the series and hasn't played any of the games. :p

Tonez, you gotta finish 2 before starting 3, if not for the awesome gameplay than at least for the story. 3 won't be as good without the epic set-up that 2 provides.

Besides, if you already think 2 is brilliant, then stick with it because it keeps getting better.

[Natrak]

Finished! The ending left me feeling a little indifferent, but I really enjoyed the final boss battles.

[RunningMild]

If there's one problem it's probably that the Cestus are a bit overpowered, I'm finding myself using them a lot.

Honestly, after getting my arse kicked all over the place on Hard mode, there's no such thing as an overpowered weapon IMO. Cestus is the great equaliser, but I'm still finding reasons to use the other weapons so I'm happy. :p

[Antwandemarco]

Had a massive session last night absolutely love this game. Probably my game of the year atm.

So i just fought Hercules, how far through the game am i?

[Natrak]

About halfway, I'd say.

[Antwandemarco]

Awesome, feels like i'm further than that, which can only be a good thing.

[Natrak]

Might be closer to two thirds, but you've definitely got a decent chunk left.

[RunningMild]

Finished the game Saturday night, and I have to say I really liked the ending. I was afraid it would reach a point where there'd be no good way to end it, but I was proven wrong. Great way to end the game and the trilogy IMO.

Overall, this was definitely worth buying a PS3 for. :p

Couple of spoiler-y things to mention.

Firstly, Zeus said to Gaia 'Looks like your pawn has failed! Maybe you should have chosen the other one!' What the hell? Is this a reference to something in a previous game that I forgot, or are they possibly setting up a side story of sorts? Chains of Olympus 2 maybe?

Secondly, I love how they referenced the events in Chains of Olympus instead of acting like it didn't exist. If you haven't played it, the references are:

- Hades mentioning that Kratos killed Persephone. In COO, Persephone was the main villain.

- Helios mentioning the debt he owed to Kratos. In COO, Persephone kidnapped Helios and Kratos had to rescue him.

[Natrak]

Finished the game Saturday night, and I have to say I really liked the ending. I was afraid it would reach a point where there'd be no good way to end it, but I was proven wrong. Great way to end the game and the trilogy IMO.

Overall, this was definitely worth buying a PS3 for. :p

Couple of spoiler-y things to mention.

Firstly, Zeus said to Gaia 'Looks like your pawn has failed! Maybe you should have chosen the other one!' What the hell? Is this a reference to something in a previous game that I forgot, or are they possibly setting up a side story of sorts? Chains of Olympus 2 maybe?

Secondly, I love how they referenced the events in Chains of Olympus instead of acting like it didn't exist. If you haven't played it, the references are:

- Hades mentioning that Kratos killed Persephone. In COO, Persephone was the main villain.

- Helios mentioning the debt he owed to Kratos. In COO, Persephone kidnapped Helios and Kratos had to rescue him.

God of War had an extra video that talks about Kratos's brother. When the pair were just boys Kratos's brother was deemed too weak to join the Spartan army and abandoned in the wilderness to fend for himself. He soon died and has supposedly spent his time down in Hades watching Kratos and wishing to one day gain vengeance on his brother for abandoning him. One of the trophies that came with the GoW Collection is actually for watching that bonus video.

In Hades towards the beginning there was also a note on the ground that seemed to me was written by Kratos's brother. The one that talked about watching Kratos as he became a god etc.

It was cool that they actually referenced Kratos's brother, although I was half expecting him to play a role in the game (although it probably would have felt shoe-horned in). Still, it's nice that they didn't opt to completely ignore the tease from GoW1's extras.

Overall I thought the ending was a fitting way to round out the trilogy, although it took a bit too much talking to explain, I felt. It also kind of made it feel like they'd been making it up as they went along. It didn't really leave me feeling anything in particular, though, which is a bit of a let-down.

[REQUIEM]

Still trying to get through the first 2 on the ps3 dual pack. I have had part 3 since release and im aching to play it but I must resist so I get the full story and experience.

[RunningMild]

God of War had an extra video that talks about Kratos's brother. When the pair were just boys Kratos's brother was deemed too weak to join the Spartan army and abandoned in the wilderness to fend for himself. He soon died and has supposedly spent his time down in Hades watching Kratos and wishing to one day gain vengeance on his brother for abandoning him. One of the trophies that came with the GoW Collection is actually for watching that bonus video.

In Hades towards the beginning there was also a note on the ground that seemed to me was written by Kratos's brother. The one that talked about watching Kratos as he became a god etc.

It was cool that they actually referenced Kratos's brother, although I was half expecting him to play a role in the game (although it probably would have felt shoe-horned in). Still, it's nice that they didn't opt to completely ignore the tease from GoW1's extras.

Yeah, I thought the same thing when I saw that note. That whole thing re: Kratos' brother is actually part of the reason why I thought they were setting up a side story. Maybe a PSP game where you play as Kratos' brother? Now that you mention it, fending for himself in the 'wilderness' could have something to do with Gaia, making him the chosen one and then betraying him when he fails...

And speaking of extras from GOW1, has anyone seen that video which shows what happens to Cronos? Does it actually match up with the events of 3 or not?

[AnTrAxX]

I reckon I'm very close to the end. It's a shame but I don't find myself using the other weapons as much as I do the blades of exile. They're power is maximum now and they just own (for lack of a better term). I'm really impressed with everything so far, the combat, the difficulty, the epicness, and the absolute disgusting massacre that Kratos leaves in his wake. The fingernail pulling especially. Also, the sex scene was quite funny.

[RunningMild]

I reckon I'm very close to the end. It's a shame but I don't find myself using the other weapons as much as I do the blades of exile. They're power is maximum now and they just own (for lack of a better term).

Bah, Nemean Cestus > Blades Of Exile. :p

Actually, this is the first GoW game EVER where I've maxed out an alt weapon before the Blades. I'm as shocked as you are.

Also, the sex scene was quite funny.

When has a God of War sex scene not been funny? ;)

[Natrak]

Nemean Cestus ftw. BoE's Army of Sparta saved my arse a few times towards the end, though. :P

[RunningMild]

Nemean Cestus ftw. BoE's Army of Sparta saved my arse a few times towards the end, though. :P

I wanted to use Army of Sparta against Zeus just so I could say "Why don't you meet some of the SPARTANS YOU KILLED!!!" (it is a spoiler for people who are still playing GoW2), but I was doing so well with the Cestus that it wasn't really practical. :(

[Natrak]

Really!? Not even when you were swarmed by a whole bunch of Zeuses...Zeusii...

[Sweating Bullets]

Turns out that my copy of the Pandora box does not have a cardboard box.
The guy is offering a full refund but I am asking him to mail it in protective box.

[McChimp]

I've pumped almost 3 hours into this so far, and OH.....MY.......GOD! Seriously, I thought NOTHING could top Uncharted 2 for just sheer awesomeness, but this? If it doesn't, it comes DAMN close! I've done at least three-types of nasty in my pants while playing this, it's THAT AWESOME!!!!

[RunningMild]

Really!? Not even when you were swarmed by a whole bunch of Zeuses...Zeusii...

Nah, the magic attack you get with Cestus made short work of them. :p

[AnTrAxX]

After playing through the game on hard, playing through again on easy is, well, easy. The only times I've died was from poorly aimed jumps and a harpy jumping section.

The last boss I died multiple times on hard, so so many times. persistence and perseverance is all I could say to those who are thinking about hard mode. Only have 2 more trophies until I nab the platinum, aMazed and Up for the Challenge.

Anyone watched the videos? The making of goes for ages, pretty much from the end of GOW2. The voice acting vid was cool to see.

[RunningMild]

Anyone watched the videos?

Yep.

The voice acting vid was cool to see.

Needed more Corey Burton and Linda Hunt (I know she's been in other vids but I would have liked to see her doing her 'Battle Mode Gaia' dialogue), otherwise it was pretty awesome. Especially when Kevin Sorbo was talking about Hercules. :p

[naclj]

played about 4 hours over the weekend, i admit the titan section was pretty cool but it all moved too fast i really wanted to look around and really admire the scale.

got up to the sex mini game, was good fun, the comments from the girls were quite funny.

my favorite bit of the game so far is the gore, there are some nasty decapitations, the way you acquire your "Lamp" is brutally gruesome and awesome.

once again ratings make no sense, how can L4D2 get banned and this gets let in.

im very much enjoying it but i must say, imo its not at the same level as Uncharted 2. some of the voice work is truly bad
and while the graphics are really good, there have been moments where ive been unimpressed (but they pass very quickly)

im looking forward to some more good boss fights cos so far the leviathan and hades were good but i havent seen anything else of particular merit for a while

[RunningMild]

What do you mean by 'the Leviathan'?

[Natrak]

Poseidon.

[naclj]

sorry

yes poseidon was what i meant.

as for my comment of nothing of particular merit, i just had a rather large fight just after the sex mini game and it was quite awesome in scale and scope but left me wanting more in terms of action, i mean come on! taking "that" down cant be that easy, it was like he wasn't trying and the almost final blow you don't actually do anything.

im still having fun but by this point of uncharted 2 or mass effect 2 i already couldnt wait to start again but at the moment im just thinking im glad i played it but im even more glad i found it for only $70

*****
update 6-4-10

i finished this on the weekend
and i must say that i am incredibly disappointed with the finale.
i remember reading reviews that said it had the most epic opening which was then topped throughout the game. all i can say to that is WHERE?

the best boss fight was Hades and that was in the first hour or so.

there were definitely some cool bits but never did the game live up to the standards it set right from the beginning.

At the end I was constantly waiting for the "REAL" Zeus fight but it never came.

i enjoyed it well enough but just like the other GoWs its only getting 1 playthrough

[REQUIEM]

Anyone else downloading the free GOW soundtrack?

[Creedy]

Where the frak do I get it?

[Natrak]

Since you asked so nicely... (http://www.godofwar.com/ucmdev/groups/public/documents/webasset/g3_trilogy_soundtrack.zip)

[Creedy]

Thank you very much.

[grimace06]

Those challenges - "Get Stoned" and "Bare Hands" are creating new swear words for all the neighbourhood to hear.

[RunningMild]

Those challenges - "Get Stoned" and "Bare Hands" are creating new swear words for all the neighbourhood to hear.

Are they the standard ones or the extra-difficult ones?

[grimace06]

Are they the standard ones or the extra-difficult ones?

There are extra difficult ones?

[Natrak]

There's an extra set of challenges that came with the Collector's Edition and Ultimate Edition.

I actually managed Get Stoned in a few attempts, though I think it was mostly a fluke. Bare Hands probably took me the most attempts of those challenges, try to knock either the Cyclops or one of the statues off the edge, it'll save you a significant amount of time, I found. Also, try to avoid using the finishers on the statues/cyclops, they just cost time.

[RunningMild]

Yeah, I passed the standard ones fairly easily, but I still haven't passed the ones I got with the Ultimate Edition.

[Sweating Bullets]

Trilogy edition is now back in stock at EB games for $240 or so.

http://ebgames.com.au/ps3-149070-God-of-War-3-Ultimate-Trilogy-Edition-PlayStation-3

[McChimp]

Did anybody get this? I ask 'cos I had a convo with a customer last week about special/ collector's editions, and I mentioned how I'd become completely disinterested in them while working at Game, due to the quality (or lack thereof) of the extras you get in these things. He rolled his eyes and mentioned how his better-half worked at one of the local EB's and that he'd seen the quality of the Pandora's Box, and how it looked so cheap and plastic-y. Is that true in regards to the P.E.?

[Sweating Bullets]

I got it. Not too bad but a bit overpriced imo.
Not the worst collectors edition out there but up there with the good ones.

The box itself is not too bad looking and fairly robust but still made of plastic.

[borgster101]

Just started playing this (yeah bit late to the party) .. playing on Titan mode to make things a bit more challenging .. yep it's epic and fun.

[RunningMild]

He rolled his eyes and mentioned how his better-half worked at one of the local EB's and that he'd seen the quality of the Pandora's Box, and how it looked so cheap and plastic-y. Is that true in regards to the P.E.?

Hell no, the Pandora's Box is excellent (IMO).