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Review: God of War Collection: perfect title to close out 2009
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When gamers hear the name God of War mentioned, they all instantly become interested. Whether you are a Nintendo fan, Microsoft fan, or solely a Sony fan, the God of War franchise is a series that has all gamers interested. When God of War first launched on the PS2 several years ago, it immediately pulled in action-adventure fans with a compelling story, but everyone stayed for the intense and brutal gameplay. While we still have several months to wait before God of War III lands on the PS3, the wait will be much easier thanks to the release of the God of War Collection.
Containing God of War I and II, everything that was in the original PS2 versions will be found here. Since backwards compatibility is a thing of the past for many PS3 owners, this is the perfect way to enjoy two of the greatest PS2 games again without having to worry about backwards compatibility or swapping discs. While the gameplay and stories of each game are identical to the original releases, there are a few changes to be found. Both games are now running in full HD, they run better, and the inclusion of trophies will have you playing the games a few times over to earn that coveted Platinum trophy for each title.
When you first start up this collection on your PS3 you’ll be amazed with the HD graphics the games now feature. They may not quite be at the level of current generation games, but these games will certainly impress you. With all the character models, textures, and lighting more vivid and refined, it’ll be like looking at an entirely new game again. Everything is much cleaner and you’ll wonder how you ever played these titles without them looking this good. Of the two games, though, God of War II is graphically the most impressive in this collection.
Like the graphics, the game also runs much smoother. The increased framerate makes the game move much smoother and there are hardly any noticeable loads during exploration. Though each game ran very well on the PS2, the minor update in the framerate is a nice addition.
Since the changes made to the games are mostly cosmetically, you won’t find anything different about the gameplay. It’s still heavy on action with the occasional puzzle thrown in for good measure. Even after several years, the gameplay of each game holds up remarkably well and still impresses. With tons of move combinations available, mythological weapons, and magic, everything still retains a fresh feel – even the second or third time around.
Trophies are the new thing for PS3 games and the God of War Collection utilizes them very well. While most of them are based on just completing the game and standard progression through the storyline, there are several that will push you to do things a little differently. Whether it is beat the game in less than five and a half hours, or complete a challenge without getting hit, the trophies add some replay value to each game, but they aren’t so extreme that you’ll find yourself struggling to achieve them all.
As was mentioned in our hands-on preview, the most noticeable flaw of this collection comes from the cutscenes. You’ll find CG pre-rendered cutscenes, which are still impressive, and then there are cutscenes that use the in-game engine assets. You’ll find no problem with the CG cutscene segments; in fact they are still remarkable to look at till this day. The in-game cutscenes are ugly, though. The HD visuals of the game actually surpass the in-game cutscene segments. Since those sections appear to have not been retouched, you’ll notice jagged edges and lackluster graphics compared to the rest of the game. Though ugly, they do make you appreciate the update that was made to the actual game in terms of graphics.
The God of War Collection is the perfect title to close out 2009. The updated graphics and trophy support will keep you coming back until March hits with the release of God of War III. Containing two of the best PS2 games for only $40, this collection is a steal. If you missed out on these two titles in the past, then this is the perfect time to play the definitive version of each title. God of War Collection is a must-own for any PS3 owner.
Overall: 9/10
Editor's Note: Be sure to check out Miguel Concepcion's review for a look at the collection through the eyes of a first timer to the series.
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