God of War II

Weaponry

It goes without saying that a warrior god is nothing without his weapons, and Kratos has some of the sweetest around. His twin Blades of Chaos -- burning swords attached via chains to his wrists by Ares during the events of the first gam -- make an appreciable return in God of War II. Kratos wields them with unmatched skill, hurling them at foes like tethered boomerangs. His new Wind Bow, a magical, almost ethereal manifestation of energy, can be used to down targets at range.

Enemy blades are likewise just fodder for Kratos's grip: the aforementioned E3 demo showed him severing the arm of one of the Island of Fates' pig-beast inhabitants, catching the massive axe it was holding, and employing it with deadly force against its former owner.

Final Words

God of War II looks to be a true sequel -- a near-seamless continuation of the first game along an evolving storyline, with almost identical (and notably proven) gameplay. But Santa Monica is spicing up the original blend with a few new ingredients: While grappling, for instance, Kratos can now swing in any direction; he can lock on to enemies and continue to attack them while on the move; and most notably, he has the added advantage of Icarus wings to permit him temporary flight.

Nevertheless, God of War II will be, first and foremost, a continuation of everything the first game was. If you didn't care much for the original, then you'd best move along -- you're not likely to find anything here that can cure you of your disinterest. But if, on the other hand, you were among the first game's countless fans, be prepared for more of exactly what you loved. And, if for some unfathomable reason you never played God of War, prepare yourself for an experience you're certain to adore

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