GoW: Chains of Olympus

This game was released exactly a year ago. I just got the Platinum edition (released in the EU recently) since it is much cheaper. Because of the game's popularity and very good reviews, it is understandable how quickly it was elevated to Platinum/Greatest Hits status on the PSP system. It is rated M (or 18 in the EU).

God of War: Chains of Olympus opens a new chapter in the epic story of the Ghost of Sparta, Kratos. As a slave to the gods of Olympus, Kratos undertakes a mission to relase Helios (god of the sun) from entrapment in the underworld in order to save the world and the gods themselves. I have not played the two previous GoW games but this game can stand well enough on it's own story- and playability-wise.

The main game has 4 difficulty modes: Mortal(easy), Hero(normal), Spartan(hard), God(very hard). Playing though any of the initial 3 modes releases God mode and some unlockables. Unlockables include mini games Challenges of Hades (5), bonus costumes(3), videos of the in-game movies and production, image galeries of the characters, environments and outtakes.

Gameplay, graphics, and sound are all spectacular considering that this is in a handheld. It is equal to (or even better that) CC: FF VII especially since there are no redundant cut scenes. Major drawback is that it is quite short. I finished the game in a total of about 10 hours on normal mode (average time for gamers/reviewers was 6 hours).

4 stars.