Do you have what it takes to get a review published right here on Kotaku? Andrew does, as he realises the only way to get even is to get mad.
Yes, that’s right, we’re now publishing reader reviews here on Kotaku. This is your chance to deliver sensible game purchasing advice to the rest of the Kotaku community.
And thanks to the very kind chaps at Madman Entertainment, purveyor of all kinds of cool, indie and esoteric film, the best reader review we publish each month will win a prize pack containing ten of the latest Madman DVD releases.
This review was submitted by Andrew Leong. If you’ve played God of War III, or just want to ask Andrew more about it, leave your thoughts in the comments below.
God of War III (PS3)
Arguably the angriest man in video-gaming is back, in his first (and only?) stint on the next-gen.
Loved
Gameplay: Every monster feels like a boss fight, with the Quick-time-event finishing moves proving a delight to the soul. With a sizeable variety of monsters, it didn’t seem too repetitive. I actually had to plot my attack and use the counter button with several monsters, unlike Dynasty Warriors. The combos are beautiful, varied and mesmerising to watch. Whenever the killing gets boring, chances are you aren’t using the right weapon.
Weapons: All four weapons were different, each with their own advantages and weaknesses. Each of the three secondary weapons feel like they had been paid as much attention as Kratos’ primary weapon, the chain blades.
The Graphics: No Final Fantasy-esque beautiful faces and blocky hands here, Kratos is exceptionally detailed down to the very last stitch on his stomach. (Perhaps it’s because he’s bald, freeing up space from hair design.) The scenery and backgrounds are always beautiful, and Aphrodite’s no slouch as well.
Boss Battles: Picturesque, the scale has been mentioned so many times before, and it will be mentioned again here. It’s simply breathtaking to be so small and climbing up big things to kill medium-sized things.
Hated
Camera: I love controlling my cameras, but alas, too often I’d end up in a combat roll which lead to…
Indignity: I died 15 times in total, eight from jumping into chasms.
Length: Maybe the QTEs didn’t seem so repetitive because the game was only seven hours long.
The Story: The whole family arc seemed a bit half-hearted as a whole. It took more of a backseat, as compared to killing Zeus. Furthermore, the lack of choices in terms of compassion or death made me cringe at moments. The wanton killing Kratos undertakes is uncomfortable at moments, and a choice ala-Dante’s Inferno would be sufficient just so that Kratos does not come off as a spoilt child without his candy.
Replay Value: I am not a trophy or collectible-whore, which makes this a once or twice-off playing experience. In terms of gameplay, the novelty of killing a monster that many times in the same pose only lasted for the one-time play over for me.
The game is stunning, and the action is impeccable. The story could use with a little more work (In terms of making an impact, not in terms of the storyline itself), but despite its other shortcomings listed above, the game is definitely a keeper.
Reviewed by: Andrew Leong
You can have your Reader Review published on Kotaku. Send your review to us at the usual address. Make sure it’s written in the same format as above and in under 500 words – yes, we’ve upped the word limit. We’ll publish the best ones we get and the best of the month will win a Madman DVD prize pack.
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