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God of War Ascension |OT| Gods up, Foes down
- Thread starter Canis lupus
- Start date
Agreed. Wasn't expecting to have this much fun with the campaign after reading some of the reviews but I'm having a blast so far. From what I've played I already like it more than GoW 3.
RyanardoDaVinci
Member
Finished it today, not that impressed with any of it.
Cons:
- Clunky combat system.
- Too little enemy variety.
- 3 weeks earlier.
- No alternate weapons (shitty pickups might as well not exist).
- Too many reskins of past enemies.
- Basic combos locked behind a stupid meter.
- Present day.
- Camera zooms out way the fuck too far during some fights.
- Crappy parry system.
- Fucked up sound.
- 1 week earlier.
- Doing that thing... for the other thing... to get the thing -- wait, what the fuck is the point of this.
- Archimedes' Trial of Fuck You, That's Why
Pros:
- It looks good.
- Both item weapons.
- It looks really fucking good.
As far as the series goes for me:
Story: 1 > Gos > 2 = 3 > Ass > Coo
Combat: 3 > Gos > 2 > 1 > Coo > Ass
Gameplay: 2 > Gos = 3 > 1 > Ass > Coo
Overall: 1 = 2 > 3 = Gos > Ass > Coo
Cons:
- Clunky combat system.
- Too little enemy variety.
- 3 weeks earlier.
- No alternate weapons (shitty pickups might as well not exist).
- Too many reskins of past enemies.
- Basic combos locked behind a stupid meter.
- Present day.
- Camera zooms out way the fuck too far during some fights.
- Crappy parry system.
- Fucked up sound.
- 1 week earlier.
- Doing that thing... for the other thing... to get the thing -- wait, what the fuck is the point of this.
- Archimedes' Trial of Fuck You, That's Why
Pros:
- It looks good.
- Both item weapons.
- It looks really fucking good.
As far as the series goes for me:
Story: 1 > Gos > 2 = 3 > Ass > Coo
Combat: 3 > Gos > 2 > 1 > Coo > Ass
Gameplay: 2 > Gos = 3 > 1 > Ass > Coo
Overall: 1 = 2 > 3 = Gos > Ass > Coo
Started the game today on Hard, stopped at Chapter 13. I really like it, but it's not without it's issues. I really dislike when the game pulls out the camera back waaaaaaaaayy too much during some setpieces and still expects you to keep track of your location + 6 other enemies at once.
I think they kinda missed the point of the enemies that pop up every time you get a new ability. They can kinda wreck you easily, and you don't get to play around with say, it's magic attack because it's the final unlock for everything besides the fire element. Being locked to one element that you can only use the basic attack strings on if you can't upgrade it on the spot for one crowded battle is kinda shitty.
On one hand, I miss the fleece. On another, I like actually being able to block boss attacks and not take any damage. (Though consecutive GoW games teaching me that I should always parry or dodge to avoid damage is a hard habit to break).
I think they kinda missed the point of the enemies that pop up every time you get a new ability. They can kinda wreck you easily, and you don't get to play around with say, it's magic attack because it's the final unlock for everything besides the fire element. Being locked to one element that you can only use the basic attack strings on if you can't upgrade it on the spot for one crowded battle is kinda shitty.
On one hand, I miss the fleece. On another, I like actually being able to block boss attacks and not take any damage. (Though consecutive GoW games teaching me that I should always parry or dodge to avoid damage is a hard habit to break).
Revisited GoW3 tonight, a game I abandoned after 3 hours back when it launched. A couple more hours played and I am pretty much done with this series. Just hate the combat arenas, the combat feels like a guessing game(is this move doing shit at all to these things??), and I hate Kratos. I killed Hermes tonight by pure abusive torture and I have no fucking idea why.
GoW3 does look pretty though even given its slight age. Still, I guess with all the complaints of the new game, I am really not missing much by skipping Ascension.
GoW3 does look pretty though even given its slight age. Still, I guess with all the complaints of the new game, I am really not missing much by skipping Ascension.
I'm in no way my prime gaming self. 35 still play every day but I'd say my reflexes were better 10 years ago. I beat the trial my first attempt. All I've read through this thread is people butt hurt about how hard it was. Do you guys really not have the skill set to beat it? Maybe the punishing games I grew up with have honed my gaming skills. And you whiners have been cake walked through too many games.
I'm not sure I like how the story is told. The gameplay sections between the "flashbacks" are so long -- it feels completely incoherent. Sometimes I would forget the story is being told in flashbacks. I'm going to watch all the reviews and controversy and probably do a run down like many already have.
Multiplayer is so amazing, even with beta experience I am floored.
When the Cerberus dropped down in the persian map... damn son....... when you get to ride that motherfucker... there are no words.
The map designs have all been top notch so far, bar the labyrinth. Fucking wooden box.
One of the most fun, unique multiplayer experiences this gen.
When the Cerberus dropped down in the persian map... damn son....... when you get to ride that motherfucker... there are no words.
The map designs have all been top notch so far, bar the labyrinth. Fucking wooden box.
One of the most fun, unique multiplayer experiences this gen.
Holy shit playing with the Zeus's battle armour in the campaign is incredible! its basically the multiplayer model and facial animations. I'm guessing that would of been pretty hard to code.
You can appreciate the lighting a lore more when your not playing as kratos. the HDR lighting beaming of the character and armour looks unbelievable. Looks like cgi at times.
I suggest you guys try it
You can appreciate the lighting a lore more when your not playing as kratos. the HDR lighting beaming of the character and armour looks unbelievable. Looks like cgi at times.
I suggest you guys try it
I actually kind of like the labyrinth map.
ShipTheCheese
Member
Oh man, I'm getting old.
I just wasn't enjoying the game on hard difficulty. The enemies were just too relentless, and with the lack of hit-stun it really made the whole experience unenjoyable. After I died over 10 times at the first freaking Cerberus encounter, I threw in the towel and started over on Normal.
Damn, that made all the difference for me. I can actually enjoy the environments, enjoy the combat tweaks, the difference in weapon elements, and the spectacle on display.
But yeah, after having beaten the trilogy on Hard, I do feel a little defeated.
I just wasn't enjoying the game on hard difficulty. The enemies were just too relentless, and with the lack of hit-stun it really made the whole experience unenjoyable. After I died over 10 times at the first freaking Cerberus encounter, I threw in the towel and started over on Normal.
Damn, that made all the difference for me. I can actually enjoy the environments, enjoy the combat tweaks, the difference in weapon elements, and the spectacle on display.
But yeah, after having beaten the trilogy on Hard, I do feel a little defeated.
Ninja Scooter
Member
Game is still good but you can feel a little bit less polish. I'm a couple hours in, but so far WAAAY too many instances of battles that are too goddamn zoomed out. Still having fun though, but I can kind of see that the formula may have run it's course. I wonder if we will even get a GoW game on PS4. Would love to see Santa Monica tackle a new genre/IP entirely. They deserve it.
Gotta be kidding me, the Trial was nothing. 6 hours, Sessler?! I had a tougher time with the damn puzzle after it. 10+ years of DMC, NG, God of War, and Bayonetta have honed my character action killing skills. Put a puzzle in front of me though and I'm running for youtube.
None here as far as QTEs or bosses go...but I did fall through the world once during a regular combat section.
I loved the game, don't care to rate it along the others since I don't have a vivid memory of them, but all these complaints are bogus. Challenging trial and puzzles GOOD, games seem to be to easy these days. And the trophy complaint WOW just pissing and moaning over nothing!
Great game, great experience. Like watching a sequel to a beloved series, nothing groundbreaking, but good enough if only a bit better. I don't go out looking for negatives to put me down. I enjoyed it from start to finish, all of it. The story, the gameplay, the challenge and specially the graphics/cinematics.
Anyone complaining about the camera or lack of control of it just doesn't get this series, it's part of what makes it a great cinematic experience. I'd rate it a solid 85/100.
Great game, great experience. Like watching a sequel to a beloved series, nothing groundbreaking, but good enough if only a bit better. I don't go out looking for negatives to put me down. I enjoyed it from start to finish, all of it. The story, the gameplay, the challenge and specially the graphics/cinematics.
Anyone complaining about the camera or lack of control of it just doesn't get this series, it's part of what makes it a great cinematic experience. I'd rate it a solid 85/100.
I just beat the game and yea, im so confused how people got stuck there
Beat the game. My issues with it are mostly on technical side. Seriously, if a Sony Santa Monica game is having issues like this, it's definitely time to leave PS3 behind. Bugs aside, I had the usual God of War fun with this. I wish other character action games had the high level production and presentation of this franchise.
I agree on the formula being a bit stale. I'm in the same place with God of War as I am with Uncharted. Both in their current form have gone as far as they can but I still wouldn't mind seeing one more with the power of PS4 behind it.
BadAss2961
Member
R1/Tether combat is a pretty big change from Circle/Grab. On one hand, I miss grabbing enemies and pounding them. But on the other, I love controlling one enemy with tether while attacking the rest of the crowd with the blades. It looks really cool. The new combat seems to have more depth with this mechanic.
Hooking your way to QTEs and brutal kills with Kratos' chain never gets old, and dodging enemy attacks in the middle of a finisher was a pretty great idea.
Hooking your way to QTEs and brutal kills with Kratos' chain never gets old, and dodging enemy attacks in the middle of a finisher was a pretty great idea.
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
As someone who’s been on media black-out and didn’t even touch the demo – I really didn’t want to believe all the hate, but after playing up till the purple dragon boss thing all I can say is what the hell have they done to my God of War? : (
I think God of War III spoiled me. The intro here was weak with a shitty framerate, the overall graphics have been underwhelming me, the sound effects and music are both below average, the quietness in some areas is so odd – as are half the missing sound effects, the story doesn’t exist. Seriously what the hell am I even doing?! The enemies are more frustrating than fun and take far too long to kill and are already getting repetitive and monotonous. Unless I’m remembering wrong I had much more fun with the combat in the previous games, here Kratos feels underpowered to the point where the combat is a chore half the time. Gah.....everything is just so dull and boring – how they managed that for a God of War game is beyond me. This is easily the worst main God of War I’ve played and it seems like it shouldn’t even exist. I’m extremely disappointed at the moment – not only is it an average God of War game, but it seems like a pretty average game period.
I think God of War III spoiled me. The intro here was weak with a shitty framerate, the overall graphics have been underwhelming me, the sound effects and music are both below average, the quietness in some areas is so odd – as are half the missing sound effects, the story doesn’t exist. Seriously what the hell am I even doing?! The enemies are more frustrating than fun and take far too long to kill and are already getting repetitive and monotonous. Unless I’m remembering wrong I had much more fun with the combat in the previous games, here Kratos feels underpowered to the point where the combat is a chore half the time. Gah.....everything is just so dull and boring – how they managed that for a God of War game is beyond me. This is easily the worst main God of War I’ve played and it seems like it shouldn’t even exist. I’m extremely disappointed at the moment – not only is it an average God of War game, but it seems like a pretty average game period.
BadAss2961
Member
I don't know what to tell you. Ascension's intro is pretty much another take on the one from God of War 3, only it plays better imo. I've already adjusted to the new combat and feel very powerful using Kratos' new moveset.
Graphics are about a slight improvement over GoW3, but with far more interesting environments, color, and scale. I noticed a couple areas where the framerate dipped, but none of them during combat so far.
Ascension brings back more of the adventure feel of God Of War 2 while maintaining the brutality and ridiculous scale of GoW3. It's like a mix of the two, but with a few ideas of its own. Exactly what I wanted.
Graphics are about a slight improvement over GoW3, but with far more interesting environments, color, and scale. I noticed a couple areas where the framerate dipped, but none of them during combat so far.
Ascension brings back more of the adventure feel of God Of War 2 while maintaining the brutality and ridiculous scale of GoW3. It's like a mix of the two, but with a few ideas of its own. Exactly what I wanted.
I'm not sure if you'll change your opinion much, but I do feel everything after the point you're at is where the game gets much stronger. I seemed to like the intro stuff more than most have, though.
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
Yeah, I've heard from a lot of people that say the second half is a lot better. I'm surprised just how unmotivated I am to even finishing it, but all the praise from the final boss is whats keeping me going.
SammiiDoogles
Member
Just got my collector's edition today, having some problems with that Kratos statue though - having a hard time getting him onto the base... doesn't seem like the prong is supposed to go that way. Think I'm going to end up breaking his leg off or something... Anyone else have this?
Pyramid head
Banned
Now that I've watched somebody else do it, I'm sure if I tried again on hard, I'd probably be able to manage it.
Personally, the reason I had so much difficulty with it was because I almost never use block other than to parry. The reason I never used block or played in a turtling style was because at no other point in the game was it ever necessary. The game just never threw anything at you that encouraged or required a careful approach to the combat. I happily combo'd my way to victory on hard difficulty without much thought in every other GoW game, including Ascension, up until that point.
Another reason I never blocked much is that it just doesn't feel good. Like GoW's combat in general, it feels sort of soft and mushy and I can never seem to tell what attacks can or cannot be blocked, or whether I'm just blocking to late or whatever.
Regardless, a difficulty 'curve' that looks like this: ______________|¯¯|___ isn't good design.
Dragon1893
Member
I'm surprised by the amount of bugs people are reporting. This just isn't normal for a GoW game. It's all kinds of things, from falling through the floor to issues with saves, not to mention the messed up audio. Really weird.
It looks great yeah,as for the co op just let me finish a couple more playthroughs.
MrCookiepants
Member
This and this. Seriously? I mean. Neither was a big deal. At all. I'm mad that SSM have had to change their game because of one loud idiot.
The story is huge miss and there's nothing on the scale of Poseidon or Cronos here, but otherwise this is a much better game than GoW III. Better combat, better environments and level design and much better puzzles (which I know not everyone will appreciate, but I do).
If the finale is as good as everyone is saying, it might be up there with GoW II for me. And I haven't touched the multiplayer yet.
Edit: I haven't run into any huge bugs, but the sound was messed up in the E3 demo section and the skybox was glitching out too. Very disappointing for a 1st party game.
SammiiDoogles
Member
Okay so I've just started playing - just got to the part where you get the Ice for the blades. HOLY SHIT whoever thought L1 & X for parry was a good idea is retarded.
Katana_Strikes
Member
I had a weird graphical glitch after one of the grappling sections, where the screen just became almost black and when you jumped it would have weird colours bleeding in. Had to restart checkpoint.
So far I'm a little disappointed with my experience. My main gripe is the combat. It's just not as satisfying, and that's the staple of why I loved the series. In fact I'd say in some battles I'm having a hard time battling with it. But added to the fact, so far anyways (I'm about 3-4 hours in I think) battles are on the light side. In fact I'd say there's more climbing than fights so far. They seem to have Uncharted it up way too much. In fact the
could practically be out of Uncharted. When the view zooms out whilst you're climbing up the tower, if you squint, you can see Nathan Drake. Enemies are very limited right now too. The change in QTE prompts is hard to get used to after a generation. Some are hard to see like the left/right shake arrows andL1/R1 prompts. I don't know if the enemies are generally tougher, or I'm just not getting a handle of the battle system. I seem to be forever getting hit or unable to get out of tricky situations and getting battered. Combos are harder to pull off because someone else is ready to hit you. I'm also not understanding R3/L3. Once I hit it, Kratos seems to do a move and... that's it?
You seem to get all 3 elements very close together but certainly 2 of them one after the other. And really I'm only bothering to use one of them exclusively, because they all feel the same. Apparently you get different coloured orbs but I seem to get a nice mix anyways, I dunno.
One thing I do quite like that has been added however, is the extended battles when you're battling a tougher creature, in that when they grapple you, you can fight and dodge rather than just hit QTEs.
Graphically of course it's lovely. Amazing, stunning. My mouth is normally on the floor, whilst I'm playing. Some rather gruesome ends to the bigger creatures.
I still really like the game, it's God of War, however I guess I'm just slightly miffed at stuff, hampering my enjoyment. Oh and no fantastic opening credits like GoWIII :'(
So far I'm a little disappointed with my experience. My main gripe is the combat. It's just not as satisfying, and that's the staple of why I loved the series. In fact I'd say in some battles I'm having a hard time battling with it. But added to the fact, so far anyways (I'm about 3-4 hours in I think) battles are on the light side. In fact I'd say there's more climbing than fights so far. They seem to have Uncharted it up way too much. In fact the
Cistern/Snakes on a Train
You seem to get all 3 elements very close together but certainly 2 of them one after the other. And really I'm only bothering to use one of them exclusively, because they all feel the same. Apparently you get different coloured orbs but I seem to get a nice mix anyways, I dunno.
One thing I do quite like that has been added however, is the extended battles when you're battling a tougher creature, in that when they grapple you, you can fight and dodge rather than just hit QTEs.
Graphically of course it's lovely. Amazing, stunning. My mouth is normally on the floor, whilst I'm playing. Some rather gruesome ends to the bigger creatures.
I still really like the game, it's God of War, however I guess I'm just slightly miffed at stuff, hampering my enjoyment. Oh and no fantastic opening credits like GoWIII :'(
Jinjo
Member
Wow, the game really picks up after the halfway point. Liking it very much so far. Not gonna comment on how it ranks up compared to the other GoW's (since I only played 3), but the hate is maybe a bit too heavy. Battle system finally started to click (again) and it's fun. Rage system would be better if they only locked away the rage attacks behind it and the normal button combo's just behind upgrading your blades.
Played a match of multiplayer and it was fun. Will definitely be delving deeper into this. I like that it's something else from the normal multiplayer games, felt really refreshing playing something new. Broseidon's representing yo.
Played a match of multiplayer and it was fun. Will definitely be delving deeper into this. I like that it's something else from the normal multiplayer games, felt really refreshing playing something new. Broseidon's representing yo.
Diablo Rosso
Member
You know how people bitched about the dynamic lighting from the blades and how it isn't here, well I can tell you that is definitely is.
At the part where you get the Ares blade power. The entire game went black, no textures or lighting. It looked freaky and I originally thought it was intended. I couldn't see any enemy unless I used the blades, which gave off light. Despite this. I still beat the fuckers lol. Reloading the game fixed the issue.
Robot Pants
Member
Popped in some GOW3 to refresh my memory. Haven't played it in at least a year or probably longer.
It just walks all over Ascension (except graphics). Granted, it's a different time period for Kratos, and it's hard to top in the scale department, but the presentation and everything about it is just miles better than Ascension (even framerate).
Ascension is still pretty decent but I'd definitely rank it under all 3 of the main entries.
Also I'm gonna say I don't see what was so spectacular about the final boss fight. I said it.
It just walks all over Ascension (except graphics). Granted, it's a different time period for Kratos, and it's hard to top in the scale department, but the presentation and everything about it is just miles better than Ascension (even framerate).
Ascension is still pretty decent but I'd definitely rank it under all 3 of the main entries.
Also I'm gonna say I don't see what was so spectacular about the final boss fight. I said it.
So I'm in the Temple of Delphi at the moment. This is the most gorgeous console game I have ever seen, by a long-shot. Absolutely stunning.
Currently, I'd rate it as the best GoW game since the first, but I feel like I still have a way to go before the end, so that could change.
Currently, I'd rate it as the best GoW game since the first, but I feel like I still have a way to go before the end, so that could change.
I'll go ahead and echo those saying it is not very polished underneath the beautiful exterior. For example, some of the set-piece moments that have floors crumbling underneath you while giving you the little green prompt to swing. These instances are just not designed particularly well and actually feel pretty janky in execution.
In addition, the sound cuts in and out, rolling feels delayed and more sluggish when trying to dodge and the parry feels half-assed. If I am being honest, even Dante's Inferno is more polished and plays better. But yeah, the presentation and visuals here are indeed tops. I just wish the design underneath matched that and lived up to the name. But I am still having fun.
In addition, the sound cuts in and out, rolling feels delayed and more sluggish when trying to dodge and the parry feels half-assed. If I am being honest, even Dante's Inferno is more polished and plays better. But yeah, the presentation and visuals here are indeed tops. I just wish the design underneath matched that and lived up to the name. But I am still having fun.
Tricky I Shadow
Banned
Maybe its the wonky framerate.......but the graphics honestly havent wowd me yet.
Believe it or not I actually find Tomb Raider to be the better looking game. **runs**
Believe it or not I actually find Tomb Raider to be the better looking game. **runs**
Tomb Raider looks really great, but it's not even close to GoW. The lighting here is just astounding. I've never seen anything like it.
Diablo Rosso
Member
No way. This is an excellent looking game despite its fault. The lighting and transitions from the stone Delphi sections are sublime.
MrCookiepants
Member
Your TR fanboyism has gone too far now!
Talking about wonky framerate... ever tried looking at shantytown from high ground? It's like 5 fps on PS3!
