How come no one speaks Greek?
Because that's just one of many glaring oversights made by the developers of this game.
Don't get me wrong, there's a lot to love about God of War. It's just, there's also a lot not to like.
One would think since the developers based the game solely in Greek mythology they would have done their homework and not made so many glaring mistakes regarding the time period.
Historical inaccuracies aside, the game has some of the best graphics that will ever grace the PS 2. Of all the games in my personal library, I think God of War is the flat-out best looking of them all. It really looks spectacular.
The music is a love it or hate it affair, too. Personally, I thought it was great and matched the feel of the game. I can see where some would get tired of it, though.
God of War's biggest problem is it's balance. Basically, it has none. You'll go from all-out action sequences of fighting, fighting, fighting - which is what you expect, after all, you're a kick-butt Spartan with twin swords embedded into your forearms - and then all of a sudden you're doing balance beam maneuvers and tight roping?
Umm. Why is this in an action game?
Then there's the puzzles themselves. Why are there puzzles in a game called "God of War?" Why does all the action stop and all of a sudden this game want to be ICO?
I'm slicing through everything in sight and then it's break time while I tip-toe around beams, swing from ropes and do wall shimmys.
On top of that is the fact that some of the trials are laughably easy and some are ridiculously hard.
As I said, the game is way out of balance.
Another knock I have to give it is that it's very short. Compiling the issue is that there's also not a lot here to do once you've finished the main quest. There are a few. But nothing that will likely compel you to come back again.
Given that this game remains at it's shelf-front price of 50 bucks, there's not a lot of gaming bang for those 50 bucks.
What is there is awesome - but it won't last long.
One area which is completely solid is the voice acting. This game features some of the best, if not the best, voice acting I have ever heard.
The narrator in particular is compelling to listen to.
As a total package, God of War is a truly awesome experience.
If the developers hadn't made some of the mistakes they did - technically, historically and balance wise - this game would be absolutely perfect.
As it stands, it's not perfect - but it's pretty doggone close.
I highly recommend this game - flaws and all - you're not going to find a much better game, in any genre, than God of War.