The Ghost of Sparta returns...
Perhaps somewhat obviously, this game does not deviate much from the formula, though it still stands tall as its own beast. The gameplay is your standard GoW fare, with the same ole combos and moves available, though some new finishing kills and combos make an appearance. Ghost of Sparta is as brutal as its predecessors, and the combat is still as satisfying as the first time you played as Kratos, though admittedly, it can get overly repetitive at times.
This is the most visually impressive PSP game to date; the graphics are nothing short of stunning, and the backdrops, characters, and environments all look beautiful, as do the pre rendered cut scenes. Ghost of Sparta looks better than most games, and I will even go so far as to say that it looks better than a (small) bunch of current-gen games. Seriously. I doubt that these graphics will ever be bettered on the PSP, not this generation anyway.
The boss battles are large in scale, if not somewhat easy, so it is recommended that you try at least the normal difficulty first (and even normal might be too easy for long time players), that way you will get much more out of this game. The bosses themselves look fantastic, but it must be said, even the boss fights don't really stray from the formula.
As for the story, it does help if you have played the previous installments, though it is not absolutely necessary. The story fits in between the conclusion of the original God of War, and God of War II. There is a lot of fun and enjoyment to be had out of this little gem, with a tonne of replayability as well, with the mandatory challenge room that helps unlock a variety of things.
With so much packed onto such a small disc, Ghost of Sparta would be a smart investment for those with an interest and a love for adventure games, and the God of War universe. It is certainly worth the price of admission. So buy it, don't pirate it. Ready at Dawn deserve some sort of financial reward for making such a great game.