GOD OF WAR (2005) REVIEW

The main plot of the game revolves around Kratos carrying out a mission from the gods of Olympus to stop the renegade god Ares (incidentally, the titular “god of war”) from destroying the city of Athens. The only way a mortal like Kratos can kill a god is to acquire the mythical Pandora’s box, a weapon so powerful that even the gods themselves tremble before its power. As you follow Kratos’ journey to find Pandora’s box, you learn more and more about his troubled past, how he was once a conqueror of fearsome reputation, and how he was eventually led astray by Ares. These bits of story are told through stylishly directed flashbacks that appear at specific intervals. The game’s whole method of storytelling takes sort of a slow-burn approach, giving you almost nothing to work with and no understanding of Kratos at the beginning. By the time the game is over, however, you’ll know nearly all there is to know about Kratos, and you should find yourself sympathetic to this flawed but repentant warrior. Even though the story is a basic tale of revenge, it isn’t any less impactful because of this when you reach the final confrontation. The game’s available in PS2 and PS4/5