Let’s start from the beginning shall we. Seems only fitting since God of War: Ascension is a prequel. The God of War franchise, based on Kratos’ journey, has sold over 21 million copies to date. This time the game will shed some light on Kratos’ dark past before he became the “Ghost of Sparta” in the first God of War.
“Six months after he was tricked into killing his wife and child, a younger Kratos finally finds a way to break the blood oath that binds him to the God, Ares. However oaths to Olympus are not so easily broken. After taking matters into his own hands, Kratos is sentenced to a life of madness with the Furies, caged in a titan sized prison for the living damned; Hectonchires. Fighting insanity, Kratos’ will is tested as he seeks to break his bond and gain the clarity to seek revenge on Ares for his part in the death of his family.”
17 Facts about Single Player:
Kratos was remodeled from the ground-up by Patrick Murphy, character artist at Santa Monica Studio. The iconic start menu screen showing Kratos close up and personal is the exact same character model that will also be in the game.
The gameplay demo shows Kratos on the island of Delos, supposedly the birthplace of Apollo and Archimedes, which takes place around 60% through the story.
Kratos can pick up or steal weapons from enemies and use them as sub-weapons/secondary attacks.
You can now switch back and forth between the blades and sub-weapons mid combo.
The grab button has been moved to 
, sub-weapons use 
, making all attacks use face buttons.
Colored halos over enemy heads indicate a certain “stunned state”. If you attack them you will initiate the new prompt-less mini-game to finish them off. Instead of using prompts you will have to watch the enemy and dodge incoming attacks in this state.
The new Tether System allows Kratos to sling enemies around the environment like a wrecking ball. Tethering an enemy can also make him drop his weapon.
The “Life Cycle” mechanic (similar to the amulet of Fates in God of War 2), allows Kratos to control time in order to solve puzzles, freeze enemies or reconstruct destroyed objects and buildings. The mechanic will be indicated by a green glowing lighting effect.
Life Cycle can be combined with a sub-weapon and tethering. For instance you can float an enemy with Life Cycle and then pierce him with a spear. Yummy.
The default sub-weapon is Kratos’ bare hands. For the first time you will be able to throw punches and kicks.
Chests will no longer take time to open like in previous iterations, but can be destroyed from a far with attacks.
By parrying, evading and building combos you will build up the “Rage” attack meter which can be unleashed more often than before.
Climbing is free-form and you will not be constrained to a single path.
God of War: Ascension will be released on March 12, 2013 on PlayStation 3.
It will support 3D.
T.C. Carson will voice the powerful and raspy sound of Kratos as usual.
A collector’s edition, will include a premium steel book game case, the official soundtrack (digital version), a PS3 dynamic theme and PSN avatar pack, double XP points for multiplayer, and a DLC pass to unlock all future DLC releases at no additional cost. The collector’s edition will cost $79.99.
14 Facts about Multi Player:
The objective-based competitive multiplayer is online with 8-players.
You must align yourself to either Zeus, Ares, Poseidon, or Hades. As you level up you unlock new customization options for your multiplayer Gladiator. You will learn new abilities, perks and magic and receive new armor and weapons depending on what god you aligned yourself with.
Killing enemies and completing tasks in all multiplayer modes will earn you XP to unlock specific gifts and rewards from your God.
You will be able to customize your warrior with unique armor, weapons, magic, and abilities.
Weapon classes announced so far are the Sword and the Hammer.
There will be additional post-launch DLC related to multiplayer.
You can switch Allegiances to a God at any time, but certain weapons and abilities will then be lost.
Multiplayer will support up to 8-players in a match with 4v4 for team-based modes.
Modes announced so far are traditional solo and team-based Deathmatch and Team Favor Rush.
In Team Favor Rush teams compete to gain the most Points (Favor) in a Match. You achieve this by holding Altars, kills, unlocking red orb chests or by killing a legendary monster on the map.
Chests will regenerate.
The maps will have traps such as incinerating steel fire pits and deadly spikes.
Maps will also have multiple levels and teleportation portals.
Online match-making for all modes – ranked and non-ranked.
Not as hyped as I used to about a God of War game, but from what was shown at E3 it looks REALLY pretty.
Talking about the demo, they said they really gotten to know how to tweak their engine now, GOW III, was sorta rushed out there with new tech, and still, i can’t believe how great that looked back then.
I’m more excited about the gameplay actually, of course the set pieces and the stunning environments and monsters are great, but what sets it apart in my opinion is how it plays. It was nice to see you will get rewarded this time around by “playing as Kratos would play”, meaning not backing away too much and stinging combos and such.
Can’t wait to try the tethering mechanic also!