TechGazing

We have just finished playing God of War 3 on the PlayStation 3 and must admit that we already consider it a frontrunner for the game of the year 2010 honours. The reason for this is simple: the game is spectacular on an utterly epic scale and features gaming action unlike any we have seen for a while.In case you are the non-gaming types and are wondering what all the fuss is about, here is the backdrop: Kratos is an officer in the Spartan army who has a grudge to settle with the Greek gods, who he believes were behind the slaughter of his family. He therefore declares war on the gods and actually is made God of War for a while before things go wrong and the battle resumes. Battles with legendary figures like Zeus, Hercules and the like as well as stunning graphics and special effects have been the hallmark of the series which has so far been seen on the PS2 and the PSP.

However, the final episode of the God of War series takes place on the PS3, which of course, takes the graphics right into high-definition territory. The story is as thrilling as ever - it begins with Kratos attacking Mount Olympus itself on the back of a massive Titan, and then just goes on from height to height, ending up with a ferocious battle with the kind of gods, Zeus himself.

All in stunning high-definition. The gods are huge and awesome, often booming into view just after Kratos has knocked off all their minions. And they take some beating - we could not beat any god at our first attempt, we confess, although it could have been because we were too busy ogling them. Even the foot soldiers are well-detailed - their weapons flash as they run (often with little hope) at the ravaging Kratos. As for Kratos, the Spartan has seldom looked more vengeful - the eyebrows are drawn together and the trademark snarl is never far from his face as he decimates enemy after enemy, wreaking havoc against those who people pray to save them from it! At one level, it can be written off as a very gory hack and slash game - Kratos has daggers in each hand most of the time and mercilessly rips through enemy soliders, splattering blood and gore all the screen. At another, it is an awe-inspiring sight. That apart, there are some terrific attack combinations, a few magic spells and quite a lot of running, jumping and even a spot of flying involved.

Yes, there is no mutliplayer. Yes, the game for the most part offers only one viewing angle (a far cry from the multiple camera angles seen in the likes of Assassin’s Creed). Yes, the game is mostly uni-dimensional - there are no hard choices to take and there’s generally just one path that Kratos has to follow. But you notice all this only after you have finished what is perhaps the most spectacular ride in gaming history. It is not just the graphics and the explosions. It is the entire game, which looks like one mammoth film in which you play the central character, with the option to come back again and again for more. The story is compelling too, and without revealing too much, we can tell you that Kratos kills a number of gods and steals their weapons and even opens Pandora’s Box. It is all wonderful stuff and on an epic scale too.

Yes, it has its shortcomings. Shortcomings which would undermine a more ordinary game. But GOW3 rises well above them. If there is one game that makes purchasing a PS3 worth your while, this certainly is it.After all, the only thing that can beat playing god, is taking a few down. And Kratos certainly does that. And with a lot of style too.

Game of the year for 2010, already, we say.