God of War: Ascension
Category: PlayStation 3 Game
Console: PlayStation 3 (Download Emulator)
Developer: Santa Monica Studio
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Series: God of War
Genre: Action / Adventure
Mode: Single-player / Multiplayer
Region: US
Views: 7,868,647
Downloads: 6,574,736
Released: March 12, 2013
File Size: 44.1 GB
Rating: 4.8/5 (436 votes)
God of War: Ascension is a 2013 action-adventure game developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. Released in March 2013, it is the seventh installment in the God of War series, the first chronologically, and a prequel to the entire series. Loosely based on Greek mythology, it is set in ancient Greece with vengeance as its central motif.
The player controls the protagonist, Kratos, the former servant of the God of War Ares, who tricked Kratos into killing his wife and daughter. In response to this tragedy, Kratos renounced Ares, breaking his blood oath to the god. Kratos was, therefore, imprisoned and tortured by the three Furies, guardians of honor and enforcers of punishment. Helped by the oath keeper, Orkos, Kratos escapes his imprisonment and confronts the Furies, aiming to free himself of his bond to Ares.
The gameplay is similar to previous installments, focusing on combo-based combat with the player's main weapon, the Blades of Chaos, and other weapons acquired by the game's World Weapons mechanic. It continues the use of quick time events from previous entries but also utilizes a promptless free-form system. Four magical attacks and a power-enhancing ability can be used as alternative combat options, and the game features puzzles and platforming elements.
The game also features a redesigned combat system, gameplay mechanics not available in previous installments, and downloadable content. Notably, Ascension is the only installment in the series to include multiplayer, which is online only and features modes for both competitive and cooperative play.
God of War: Ascension received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its fundamental gameplay and spectacle as true to the series, although the story was deemed to be less compelling than in previous installments. The game's multiplayer element received mixed responses: although reviewers found that the gameplay translated well into the multiplayer setting, they criticized the balance and depth of combat.
