God of War combines many great elements of gameplay to make a memorable experince.
The gameplay centers around combat and the use of various combos and secondary skills, however prominent elements of platforming and puzzles exist that help to add variety to the game.
At the start, the main weapon that your character possesses are the blades of chaos, deadly swords that are chained to Kratos' arms. Kratos can perform a variety of combos with this weapon, some very impressive. And there is a strong incentive to finish off your enemies with dazzling combos or brutual attacks - the more spectacular you finish them off, generally, the more orbs the enemies release. Enemies will drop green, blue, and red orbs after defeat. The green and blue orbs replenish your health and energy, respectively. The red orbs give you experience. Once you've obtained enough experience, you can upgrade your primary weapon or secondary skills allowing more damage and access to more moves and combos.
As the game progresses, Kratos will be granted access to secondary skills or weapons by some of the Gods. Zeus grants you thunderbolts, Poisodon gives you an electical ring attack, Hades grants you the souls of the udnerworld, and Aphrodite will let you use the head of medusa to freeze enemies. Using any of these attacks depletes your energy bar. Artemis will grant you the sword of artemis - which is an alternative to the blades of chaos as a primary weapon. Using this does not deplete your energy. While it does more damage than the blades of chaos, it does not have as many combos available to it. Thus, while many of these skills prove very useful, you will find yourself slugging away with the blades of chaos for most of the game. They tend to be the easiest to use and also have the best combos and upgradibility. The only downside to the combat system is that it just doesn't seem as fleshed out as some more in depth combat games. You can make it through most of the game by basically "button mashing", though the game does reward those who learn the combos and utilize them.
Your enemies provide a variety of challenge. From undead warriors to lumbering minotaurs and cyclops, Kratos faces an army of enemies that will keep you on your toes and captivated. In addition to blasting away with attacks and combos, at times, special attacks become available where - if you hit the right sequence of buttons - Kratos will do a spectacular kill or damaging move to the enemy. Though only a few, the boss battles quickly become epic affairs that require both some initial problem solving and combat tactics.
However, the gameplay is not all combat. There are many puzzles located throughout the game that require you to be aware of your surroundings and skills. Platforming skills come in handy as well, as Kratos will face many "jumping puzzles" in which one misstep leds to immediate death.
Graphically the game is one of the best looking ps2 titles available. The environments are gorgeous and varied. The sound is also very good and fitting. A deep and somber score helps to immerse the gamer into the dark atmosphere of the game.
The only major drawback of this game was the relatively short length. I finished up around 12 hours give or take. A less thorough player may be able to breeze through in about 10. Given the entertaining nature of the game, it had me longing for more.
All in all, this is one of the best games I have played on the ps2 - easily in the top 3. If you own a ps2, you owe it to yourself to get this game. You will not regret it.