21 Years Later, This Near-Perfect PS2 Game Is Aging Like Fine Wine

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As a gamer, I have to say the PlayStation 2 is one of the most beloved consoles of all time! It was packed with amazing games, from groundbreaking titles like Resident Evil 4 and Grand Theft Auto III, to classics like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3. Speaking of Resident Evil 4, it’s such a legendary game that they completely remade it in 2023, and it even got nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards!

The PlayStation 2 had many fantastic exclusive games, and God of War was one of the very best. It first introduced the iconic character Kratos, and the franchise remains incredibly popular today, with the recent release of God of War Ragnarök in 2023. Like the remake of Resident Evil 4, Ragnarök was a contender for Game of the Year. While the newer games are amazing, they wouldn’t exist without the original God of War that started it all.

God of War Lets Players Control a Powerful Spartan Warrior

Gamers new to the God of War series probably know the recent games best – God of War and its sequel, God of War Ragnarök. These games take place in Ancient Scandinavia, a region that roughly corresponds to modern-day Norway, and mark a change of scenery for Kratos.

Kratos finds love and marries a woman with a hidden past. They have a son who is deeply connected to the world of Norse gods. The 2018 game reveals that his mother originally wanted to name their son Loki, a well-known figure in Norse mythology.

Before moving to a new world, Kratos was a skilled Spartan warrior. The first God of War game is set in Ancient Greece, and Kratos fights for the Gods of Olympus. He carries out missions under the command of Athena, earning him the title of God of War.

Athens is being destroyed by Ares, and Kratos embarks on a quest to find a weapon capable of defeating the god of war – the legendary Pandora’s Box. However, Kratos isn’t simply following orders from Athena. Players soon learn that Kratos shares a complex and troubled history with Ares, filled with darkness and pain.

Players discover through memories that Kratos used to be a leader in the Spartan army. He became well-known for being both incredibly effective and merciless, consistently guiding his troops to win battles.

After being defeated by a barbarian king, Kratos lay dying and desperately prayed to Ares for the power to continue fighting and protect his soldiers. He vowed to serve Ares faithfully in return for this strength.

Happy with the agreement, Ares gave Kratos a renewed strength and magically bound him to the Blades of Chaos – two powerful blades created in the Underworld. These blades were linked by chains that became embedded in Kratos’ arms. Using the Blades of Chaos, Kratos defeated the barbarian king and rescued his soldiers.

Kratos faithfully served Ares, fighting many battles in his name, including conflicts with other gods like Athena. But as the story unfolds, players learn a disturbing and awful truth about Ares himself.

Ares tricks Kratos by sending him to a village inhabited by followers of Athena. Unbeknownst to Kratos, Ares has brought his wife and daughter to the village, leading Kratos to tragically kill his own family. This horrific act was intentionally designed to break Kratos’ ties to his former life, turning him into a ruthless warrior fueled by Ares’ desire for bloodshed.

Kratos was deeply devastated by Ares’s betrayal and vowed to seek revenge, with Athena providing him with the power to do so. Following the tragic loss of his family, Kratos became known as the “Ghost of Sparta,” a title earned after being cursed to bear their ashes on his skin.

The curse afflicts Kratos with a gray skin tone, perpetually reminding him of the innocent lives he took – the blood of his own family. Tormented by the horrific memory of killing his wife and child, Kratos offers his service to the Olympian gods, hoping they can finally end his pain.

God of War’s Story Is Incredible, But the Gameplay is Even Better

God of War is an action-adventure game played from a set third-person viewpoint. When it was released, its combination of gameplay, graphics, and story received widespread praise from both gamers and critics, with many considering it one of the greatest video games of all time.

The story tackles difficult and upsetting themes, which is mirrored in its intense but smooth gameplay. While you’ll spend most of your time fighting, solving puzzles, and navigating platforms, the combat system—focused on chaining attacks together—is particularly well-done.

Throughout much of the game, Kratos wields the Blades of Chaos, weapons linked to him by the god Ares. These blades aren’t held directly, but are connected to long chains, letting Kratos throw them, swing them around, and use them almost like whips. Players can execute a variety of attacks depending on the button combinations they use, with each strike delivering a powerful and unique effect.

Unlike the paired Blades of Chaos, the Blade of Artemis is a single, large sword, offering a completely new way to fight. It feels distinct from the Blades of Chaos, and players can even switch between the two weapons during combat to create unique attack combinations.

The fast-paced combat style continues in recent God of War games, letting Kratos quickly switch between weapons – and even combine their magical powers, like with the Blades of Chaos and the Leviathan Axe. He also gains access to four special abilities inspired by powerful figures: Zeus’ Fury, Poseidon’s Rage, Medusa’s Gaze, and the Army of Hades.

Kratos has several incredibly strong magical abilities that can take down single opponents or entire groups. For instance, Medusa’s Gaze can instantly turn enemies to stone, and Army of Hades calls upon the spirits of the dead to fight for him. He can also activate a temporary boost called Rage of the Gods, which makes him immune to damage and significantly increases his attack power.

Older games let players defeat strong enemies with dramatic, scripted action sequences triggered by quick-time events, instantly ending the fight. Newer games have replaced these prompts with the ability to perform a finishing move during combat, giving players more control.

Once you finish the main story, you’ll unlock the Challenge of the Gods – ten difficult trials designed to test your skills even after the game ends. This is a feature that continues to be included in recent God of War titles.

Beyond the battles, the game offers enjoyable activities like opening treasure chests, completing puzzles, and improving your equipment and skills. However, it’s the combat itself and the creative enemy designs that truly make God of War special. You’ll face a diverse range of foes drawn from Greek mythology, including harpies, cyclopes, minotaurs, Medusa and the Gorgons, sirens, and centaurs, among others.

Many games from two decades ago don’t hold up well today, but the original God of War is a notable exception. While it might take a little time to adjust to playing it in 2026, this PlayStation 2 classic has actually improved over time. As the God of War series gains more fans, many are discovering the original game for the first time and thoroughly enjoying it.

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2026-02-06 19:11