This is no bad thing, but story definitely isn’t at the centre of the experience even if the relationship between Kratos and his family is played well in the final act.
The events that are shown certainly are tragic and help create a compelling backstory for the game’s lead, but they’re so sparsely shown (until the final act, where the emotional elements ramp up significantly) that you’ll often forget about them between all the gameplay segments. The actual storytelling can’t quite match up to this – God of War generally tells its plot through flashbacks, aside from the odd scene of Kratos interacting with gods such as Athena or Artemis. Comparatively, the Temple of Pandora is a carefully-constructed labyrinth that seems more like a tomb from Prince of Persia or Tomb Raider, with winding halls, traps and backtracking galore – helping it feel like the kind of place that many men have tried to conquer only to perish within its walls. The streets of Athens evoke the feeling of a decadent, rich city and to see them ripped to shreds by the invading army is a site to behold and really sets the scene.
#GOD OF WAR ISO STUCK LOADING PANDORA FULL#
Kratos will journey across various lands, ranging from the real (Athens being assaulted by Ares’ forces) to the fantasy (the Desert of Lost Souls), all on a quest to locate the mythical ‘Pandora’s Box’ that is the key to helping him kill a god.Įnvironmental storytelling is undoubtedly the game’s highlight, as the places you’ll travel through are magnificently designed and full of character. Based on Greek mythology but adding its own little twists to the traditional tales, God of War follows the Spartan warrior Kratos as he attempts to get revenge on the god Ares, whom he previously served until Ares tricked him into massacring his own family.