Revisiting God of War: Ascension - A Reminder for Why the Series Needed Rebooting

Ascension isn’t a bad game, but it is the worst game in the God of War series for some sad reasons. The high bar set by the supposed final chapter in the series was not even close to being met by Ascension, and how could it be? Its very concept as an unnecessary prequel is a detracting factor, and everything else on top of that is another layer in a cynical capitalist shit-sandwich that almost reads like a checklist. I admit I had fun, rote as it was, in my 10 hours in the campaign. It’s just that I couldn’t ignore the snark inside me repeating one line at regular intervals through my travails, “Ascension? You mean God of War: Another One?” I have no doubt now that rebooting the series was the right call.

[submarinna]

theres nothing "worst" about Ascension. it's a great game in my books

[UCForce]

It is a great game for sure. But it was weakest God of War series. Like the multiplayer or not, but I didn’t like it. Because it hurt the quality of God Of War series.

[Nitrowolf2]

To be honest I forgot it even had him all day player but even still it wasn't that bad for a mode.

I think the issue with God of War ascension is that it's a prequel that came out after the big finale. It also seemed like a title that kind of just came out of nowhere but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed it as much as I liked any of the other ones. I just wasn't in a rush to ever finish it or play it because of it being a prequel.

If it came out before God of War 3 I could see it getting better reception

[Timesplitter14]

Do you not understand what "worst" means?

[hulk_bash1987]

Of all the console GOW games id say it's the weakest. But I still enjoyed it regardless.

[GamesMaster1982]

I enjoyed Ascention as much as the other GOW games. Only thing i disliked about it was that tacked on mutiplayer to please the casual's.

[MONOLITHICIDE]

But the multiplayer was more than just casual. Was hardcore.

[GamesMaster1982]

All i meant was God Of War never had online crap and never needed it to start with. This people who like online stuff have plenty of games for them, so i would prefer they leave it out of our great single player games. Take the new GOW no multiplayer bullshit in sight, and is the example of a perfect game. I get some folks only play that social online stuff, and that's fine as there are games for them folks. But great single player games should be just that a great single player game and not trying to please non fan's with tacked on multiplayer modes.

[firelogic]

Ascension wasn't a good game for the series. I really don't know how they messed it up considering there were 5 games prior to it from 2 different studios and a different director for each instalment. The combat system was just all wrong. It didn't feel good to play and the magic system was the worst yet. The boss fights were disappointing as well. My feelings on the game weren't because I was fatigued on the series because I bought and played GoWII HD (owned it for PS2) and Ghost of Sparta HD (owned for PSP) after my time with Ascension and loved them both.

[beanplant]

I recently played it I actually really liked it. But it was a couple of giant boss fights away from being really awesome. But I would probably play it again

[kevnb]

Wasn’t it made by a “b” team?

[MarineLineman]

I have to agree. Ascension was by no means a bad game, but it was the “worst” GoW in the series, and definitely showed that the original formula was starting to show its age. I still enjoyed it though, and the multiplayer had a lot of potential.

[BlaqMagiq1]

As someone who's played every GoW game (and playing the new one right now) while it's not a bad game, it's definitely the worst in the series. It was actually the only GoW game where I felt bored playing through the campaign. I'm in the minority that enjoyed the multiplayer but it had bugs and glitches.

I think the point of Ascension was to fill out the rest of the Greek mythology that was touched on but never focused on, which was the Sisters of Fate. It brought the series full circle, and it was time for a reboot.

[Shiken]

I never played Chains of Olympus or Ghost of Sparta, but I was hooked on the console trilogy. Then Ascension came, so I of course got it.

It was not bad, but for the first time I felt no reason to finish the game. I think it suffered from series fatigue (which is why a revamp was needed). After the main trilogy and two prior prequel games before it, I was feeling like I already knew how it ended and lost motivation quicker than I would have liked.

[BlaqMagiq1]

I can say that Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta are definitely worth playing. They are much better than Ascension. They are not as major as the trilogy but they feel like major games in the franchise.

[Shiken]

Well after this next GoW. I do plan of checking the two out, and eventually playing all the way through Ascension. That way I can experience the entire franchise for myself.

This new GoW has revitalized the franchise for me.

[mkis007]

Again, without the extra button for parry's, it might be just as classic as any of the rest. But that parry changed the game for the negative.

[Germaximus]

Yeah the real problem with Ascension was that it was completely unnecessary as a prequel since we already knew all of it from flashbacks throughout the series.

It did have excellent combat, bosses, and graphics so that was cool. Also, the mutliplayer was hugely underrated. The multiplayer was freakin awesome.