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Republished on Wednesday 29th August 2018: We're bringing this review back from the archives following the announcement of September's PlayStation Plus lineup. The original text follows.
God of War has, over the course of six entries, got itself into a bit of a rut. Make no mistake, each instalment has
been consistently excellent – even the maligned PlayStation 3 prequel God of War: Ascension delivered a deity destroying escapade worth experiencing – but Sony Santa Monica's distinct brand of character action has started to get tired, and the angry antihero at heart of the series just a teensy bit irritating. But the success of the PlayStation 4 appears to have caught everyone by surprise, with Xbox 360 owners – previously oblivious to Kratos' irate exploits – switching allegiance in their droves. God of War III Remastered – a spruced up edition of 2010's iconic PS3 exclusive – is a re-release very much designed with said budding idol busters in mind. But is this game still fit for the Gods some five years on?
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It doesn't feel like it's half a decade old, that's for sure. The occasional muddy texture may let it down, but its spectacle can stand up to practically every native PS4 title that's launched thus far. There's almost an arrogance in the manner with which the developer flits from one set-piece to the next – many of which meander between multiple jaw-dropping moments in the very same scene. Take the introduction, which sees you battling aquatic boss Poseidon while riding atop Mother Earth Gaia, who just so happens to be scaling Mount Olympus at the time. The game's implementation of fixed cameras means that it's able to frame both personal and grand shots with ease – and when it goes big, it reaches a scale that you've likely never seen before.
The story's all over the place, with frequent franchise personnel changes meaning that the trilogy lacks the consistency of a series stemming from a single creative mind. However, there's just enough here to justify the protagonist's murderous antics, and thus the plot serves as little more than a vehicle for Kratos' vengeance. Subsequently, this is a game that's all about the journey that you take; from the pits of Hades to the scorched plains of Tartarus, it's very much a masterclass in level design, as the environments criss-cross in a way that adds density to the world, without ever making you feel like you're being forced to retread old ground. Only one latter segment, which sees you solving the world's largest Rubik's cube, tends to drag.
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And that's quite an achievement, considering that this is a game that involves tapping square, square, triangle a seemingly infinite number of times. The combat in God of War has never attempted to take on the kings of the character action genre, opting for slightly more accessible combos than you'll find in Bayonetta and Devil May Cry – but it's definitely got its own flavour. Armed with the Blades of Chaos – or Blades of Exile as they're unnecessarily renamed here – you'll find yourself swinging your chained swords at a menagerie of different mythical monsters. The game keeps things feeling fresh by constantly ensuring that you're on your toes; enemies that attack from above require different tactics to those that burrow underground, and so by mixing and matching different types it's able to create a heady array of unique scenarios.
That said, you will have tired of the formula by the time that the credits roll – especially if you're familiar with the franchise in the first place. Three other weapons are introduced across the course of the campaign to add interest, but outside of the Cestus – boxing gloves branded with the face of a lion – they all function a little too similarly to the main blades. Puzzles and platforming add a different kind of pace to the experience, and aside from the aforementioned Caverns chapter, are generally successful at slowing things down. However, it's all too easy on occasion to lose sight of where you're supposed to go or what the game wants you to interact with – and the fixed camera angles can make this especially frustrating as you run around in circles trying to suss out what to do next.
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But these moments are generally few and far between, and at least give you ample opportunity to soak up the outstanding artwork on display. This is a pretty rudimentary remaster, but the conversion's lack of exuberance can perhaps be attributed to the quality of the original version. Running in 1080p, this would pass for a native PS4 release in places, and the silky smooth framerate – now locked at a blistering 60 frames-per-second – gives the action an added layer of smoothness. The problem, then, is that there's little else to justify the transition; you'll find no bonus material, costumes, or content to keep you entertained here. Even the Trophies are identical.
And with the asking price on par with some much more ambitious compilations, it's hard not to feel a little short-changed. There are multiple difficulties for you to attempt – the most challenging of which is, irritatingly, not unlocked from the start – as well as a handful of behind-the-scenes videos, but these were all present in the PS3 release. A dozen or so challenge missions attempt to draw additional life out of the core combat mechanics, but won't keep you occupied for more than a couple of hours once you've beaten the main campaign. And that's more or less that, apart from a very straightforward Photo Mode which offers very little control.
Conclusion
God of War III Remastered delivers a masterful conclusion to Kratos' chaotic story arc – but this much was true when the original release brute forced its way onto the PS3 over five years ago. The bumped up resolution and significantly steadier framerate does improve the experience overall, but not to the point where it's worth paying almost full-price again. As such, while this remains an exceptional example of Sony Santa Monica's slick character action series, you should only really consider ripping open your wallet for this re-release if you've never experienced it before.
Comments 32
the 7/10 makes this look mediocre to people who HAVEN'T played too you know, previous release shouldn't be taken into account in a review, especially when it's the best version of a game.
@viciousarcanum I alway thought that God of War is medicore.
@viciousarcanum Disagree. God of War III can be bought for less than £5 on the PS3. This is the best version of a great game, yes - but it's not so much better that it's worth the asking fee.
Anyone that reads the text should be able to take the idea that the core game is great, and that I'd still recommend this for people who haven't played it before.
In all honesty, As great as the game is it never should have been re-released in its own. As a double bill with a remastered God of War: Ascension it would have been a much better value product.
Wouldn't mind reliving the Poseidon opening one more time though.
Never played any of them so I think I'll give this a whirl. Only 40 bucks for what many would mistake for a native ps4 title, seems fair to me.
@SonyInfinity God of War III is an absolutely amazing game, but if its your first God of War, don't get it. Its a direct continuation (and completion) of the story line introduced in GoW and GoW II. In fact, it takes place directly after GoW II (as in, minutes later). Its like watching the third Lord of the Rings movie, and not the first two. Hopefully they remaster the remaster, for those that didn't get them in the PS3 era!
@SonyInfinity @thedevilsjester ... But if you don't want to invest in the franchise as a whole, I reckon you could get by with a YouTube summary up to the point of God of War III. It's not the most complex story ever — all you really need to know is that Kratos has been betrayed by everyone and is really angry.
@viciousarcanum I know right
@SonyInfinity the ps3 version is in the bargain bin. How is it worth £40?
I bought and played remasters of gta 5 and tlou - but they were still big news and
Frickin awesome. This is like releasing devil may cry, sleeping dogs or prototype remakes - they have all been bettered since their original release and they are old news. The tlou and gta v phenomenon wont be repeated until the ps5 and xbox2. A single 5year old game for £40 with no extras is a joke and will damage Sonys hard won back reputation.
If this was $20 or less I'd buy it. Awesome game, just not the greatest remaster.
@themcnoisy
If all the remasters to this point haven't damaged Sony's rep, this won't either. It's no different than MS releasing Gears of War Ultimate for $40. With Gears 4 and a new God of War announced, both companies are just trying to build up hype back up for franchises that each took a hit with subpar entries in 2013. I think there are better ways to do this, like full collections with all DLC for no more than $30 but whatever.
Once it hits $20, with my GCU discount dropping it to $16, I'm all on it.
Do you know if the vita collection has 1 and 2? Because I would like to get this as the whole theme of God of War really apeals to me, but I haven't had chance to get them as I had a Xbox 360 all last gen. So has anyone played the vita collection, is it worth it? Because I may get them and then this.
I love god of war, but I'll gladly wait for a price cut on this game before picking it up. If they really wanted my money, they should have released God of War Saga remastered instead.
I think I'll wait for it to appear on PS+. The first GOW remains the only game I've ever returned to the shop for a refund. It wasn't that the game was bad, although I wouldn't call it particularly good either, it was that I completed it in one sitting. There was also zero reason to replay or any other modes. Some of my favourite games can be completed quickly, like Onimusha and Resident Evil, but only after already completing them once and learning exactly what to do. They also have extra modes, different endings, unlockables and hidden scenes to find etc. So yeah, GOW has always been synonymous with disappointment for me. The Order of its time.
@NeverGoFulRetard the psvita version of the collection only contains 1 and 2. So yes it has 1 and 2.
Edit: and yes they are most definitely worth it, I bought them for €25, if you buy them digitally you get both the ps3 and psvita versions.
I agree with this score they priced this far too high especially when you compare to halo master chief collection or the upcoming uncharted Nathan Drake collection, will definitely still buy when the price is reduced
GoW3 on PS3 was the first and only GoW I played and I loved it. Crazy story about revenge and an awesome rampage that unleashes hell (quite literally) on Earth. Fighting Hades was the sickest boss fight I've ever done and took me hours, but beating him was so satisfying . Would definitely recommend this game, a lot of my friends didnt like it though so I guess it isnt for everyone.
Pretty cynical release considering the cost!! One of my fave games ever but asking to pay full price again for an identical experience is just too much!!! The cosmetic upgrade is nice but not worth the cost UNLESS you haven't played it before!!! Still .... 9.5/10 for me!!!!
@NeverGoFulRetard Yeah, the Vita collection includes God of War 1 and 2. Keep in mind that there are better ways to play those games, though.
People that say don't get GOW3 because it's the third game you'll not pick-up on the story, it's really very easy to pick up on the GOW story as there is not much to it really. GOW is more about it's gameplay then story, so people should not be put off because it is the third game. Basically Kratos got tricked by the God of War & he ended up killing his family, now obviously Kratos wants revenge on the gods, that's about it now go & play GOW3.
@get2sammyb
I think a review shouldn't be scored because of its asking price, but should be made clear it's a bit to much if that's your opinion. It should have been a downloadable game for £19.99 a bit like DMC4, but GOW if definitely a 9/10 for me.
I'll wait for the 9/10 half price version, or maybe the 10/10 free Plus version
btw what the heck is everyone on about it being full price, it's almost half the price of brand new PS4 releases, even GAME are selling it for just £35
Awful review... first time I have ever experienced the review score being lowered because of the price of the game!!! So in 3 years when this is a fiver in the bargain bin does the review score change to 10/10? If this is the same game just with a higher resolution and frame rate why is this not scoring the exact same as the ps3 release? ITS THE SAME GAME!
Never played any God of War. I'll probably wait for the unavoidable God of War reboot or new trilogy on PS4. Is the story a direct sequel to the PS2 titles or a standalone one? I hate to play only a part of a story. It feels like reading the second book of a trilogy first.
@Wesker Ha your wait has come to an end ! Do you have this weekends lottery numbers too 😁
@hYdeks price cut? It's gonna be free Tuesday
Free on PS Plus three years later...
I didn't know this site gave gow 3 a 7, like seriously this is considered one of the best gow games how can it be just a 7, but then again it's a Sammy review so no wonder
@Undead22 time police here, you are correcting a 3 year old comment ;P
@MinerWilly Haha! Also, 7/10 lolz
@darkswabber what are you talking about sweetheart?
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