The WhatsNext verdict
If you want visceral God of War combat and outsized Greek-myth spectacle in a portable format, this is a strong fit. Skip it if repetition and familiar series formulas quickly wear you down.
What it does best
Brutal combos feel sharp, responsive, and satisfyingly physical
Portable hardware delivers startling mythic scale
What might put you off
A familiar God of War formula
Uneven pacing and awkward traversal
The setup
What you are walking into
"Marking Kratos' second foray into portable gaming, God of War: Ghost of Sparta stands as a spin-off nestled between the events of God of War and God of War II. Despite ascending to the title of the god of war, Kratos remains haunted by nightmarish visions. One such vision compels him to embark on a new journey when he witnesses his mother, Callisto, imprisoned in Atlantis under the dominion of the sea god Poseidon. Against Athena's counsel to ignore the vision, Kratos sets forth to unravel his past and, in the process, rescue his long-lost brother, Deimos, from the clutches of the god of death, Thanatos. This second instalment for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) maintains a gameplay style akin to its predecessor, introducing a handful of new mechanics. Kratos wields his trusty Blades of Athena in this quest, now augmented with a new magic known as Thera's Bane, amplifying the potency of his attacks. The game also introduces several new magical items and a fresh secondary weapon. In addition to the captivating story mode, Ghost of Sparta offers the "Temple of Zeus," a location where players can spend orbs acquired in the Battle Arena to acquire various art and other bonuses."
Where it lives
Genre
Vibe
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