God of War: Ghost of Sparta
- November 2, 2010
- Ready At Dawn Studios
God of War: Ghost of Sparta is the best game on the PSP, pushing the boundaries of a handheld device with breathtaking graphics, a striking story, and enough combat to keep your thumbs busy for many hours.
"God of War: Ghost of Sparta" is a PSP game, set between "God of War" and "God of War II". Haunted by visions, Kratos defies Athena's advice and embarks on a mission to rescue his mother and brother from Poseidon and Thanatos. The game features Kratos' signature Blades of Athena, now equipped with new magic "Thera's Bane", and additional magical items and secondary weapons.
Reviews
- The graphics are stunning for a PSP game, surpassing even some PS2 titles.
- The storyline is engaging and adds depth to Kratos' character, making him more relatable.
- Gameplay is user-friendly and retains the classic God of War feel, with new weapons and upgrades enhancing the experience.
- The game is relatively short, taking around 6 hours to complete.
- Some players found the game easier compared to previous installments, which may disappoint those seeking a challenge.
- The environments can feel cramped and repetitive, lacking the variety seen in earlier titles.
- story27 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's storyline is generally praised for its engaging narrative and emotional depth, particularly focusing on Kratos' motivations and relationships. However, many reviewers note that the story feels shorter and less complex compared to previous installments, with some suggesting it serves primarily to fill in plot gaps. Overall, while the story is compelling and well-integrated with the gameplay, it may leave players wanting more in terms of length and exploration.
“The thing that won me over was the storyline.”
“User-friendly gameplay, an outstanding storyline along with uber-radical graphics fill up this intellectual property to the brim!”
“If you love God of War, you will really enjoy the story of Kratos searching for his brother.”
“The final 20 minutes of the game are great, and since I was only at the 6-hour mark (10 hours were promised), I was beginning to feel like the story, as well as Kratos' emotions, were about to show something completely new, but it all ended 15 minutes later.”
“The story is almost too concise and to the point like God of War 2, but as opposed to God of War 2, there aren't tons of environments, boss fights, and cool abilities and magic to discover.”
“Part of me believes that this game was made to fill in a few quick plot holes before ending the series, and another part of me feels like it's a final effort to revive the dying PSP.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many users noting that they are exceptional for a PSP title, often comparing them favorably to those of the PS2. Reviewers highlight the impressive visual fidelity and detail, stating that the developers maximized the PSP's capabilities to deliver stunning visuals that enhance the overall gaming experience. Overall, the graphics are described as "jaw-dropping" and a significant achievement for the platform.
“The graphics in Ghost of Sparta are truly amazing for a PSP game.”
“You'd be hard pressed to find another game with graphics this nice on the PSP.”
“Amazing jaw-dropping graphics, great gameplay, and an overall amazing way to send off the PSP.”
“Graphics: 9/10 not the best on PSP but pretty damn close. Sound: 10/10 effectively utilizes the PSP's small speakers. Playability: 10/10; I could not imagine a better set of controls.”
“Kratos is once again in deadly territory, fighting the monsters, beasts, and black magic, but the graphics are on a new level.”
“This game just took it up a notch and made the gameplay, storyline, action, and graphics go to another level.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is consistent with previous entries in the series, offering user-friendly mechanics and an engaging storyline, enhanced by impressive graphics, especially for a portable device like the PSP. Players find the gameplay to be exceptional, with many noting it as a standout feature that elevates the overall experience.
“The gameplay is what you would expect from any God of War game, which is a good thing in my book.”
“User-friendly gameplay, an outstanding storyline along with incredible graphics fill up this intellectual property to the brim!”
“Simply amazing gameplay and graphics on such a portable device as the PSP.”
“As soon as I started playing, I realized that the gameplay was exactly the same as on the console.”
“The gameplay is what you would expect from any GOW game, which is a good thing in my book.”
“This game takes the gameplay and cranks it up another notch or so.”
- music4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, enhancing the overall experience with its dynamic range—from intense battle themes reminiscent of the God of War series to haunting melodies that deepen the narrative during exploration. This immersive soundtrack effectively draws players into the mythological realms, making it a standout feature.
“The music is another strong suit of the game, just like the others.”
“While you are battling the hordes of enemies, you'll constantly hear the notorious God of War battle music playing in the background.”
“At times while exploring, the eerily haunting music of the more solemn bits will tone it down a notch and bring you into the story.”
“The sound and music immerse you in the mythological realms.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the final battle may have been lacking in intensity, the emotional development of Kratos significantly enhances the overall experience, leaving a lasting impact on players.
“The battle itself was underwhelming as a final battle, but the emotional changes Kratos revealed overshadowed it completely.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The review indicates uncertainty regarding the game's replayability, as the user has not yet completed it, making it difficult to assess its value in this aspect.
“Replay value: n/a/10 I'm not sure yet because I have not yet completed the game.”
Critic Reviews
God of War: Ghost of Sparta Review
God of War: Ghost of Sparta is the best game on the PSP, pushing the boundaries of a handheld device with breathtaking graphics, a striking story, and enough combat to keep your thumbs busy for many hours.
95%God of War: Ghost of Sparta Review
This is not an an awesome game for a handheld that has next to nil good games. This is just an awesome game in its own rights, one that even best of the best console games cannot hope to match up against.
95%PSP Review - 'God of War: Ghost of Sparta'
85%