IGN: God of War Collection Review

IGN writes:

"The God of War Collection is now the definitive way to play the original two PlayStation 2 titles, and for folks who somehow never owned a PS2 and who don't have a backwards-compatible PlayStation 3, this marks the first time that they've been able to play them. At $40 for two of the best action games ever made, and the perfect precursors to next March's God of War III, this is a collection that you shouldn't pass up."

[playstation123]

Cool I need to buy this again, I sold my two copies a long time ago

[lokiroo420]

In the end, there shall only be chaos!

[darthv72]

The last couple of nights I decided to pick up where I left off in GoW and am close to actually finishing it. I have also been playing in GoW 2 alternately. Both are great looking on the old PS2 but for some reason it doesn't look right on my PS3. As if it isnt taking up the whole screen like the ps2 does.

I am not using upscaling and smoothing on the ps3 but I am using widescreen and progressive within the game. I will get this collection and may just play that instead.

Anyone know if the collection will see existing game saves from the ps2 games? I dont mind starting over but it would be sweet if this collection (when played on a bc ps3) would see my saves.

[SuperStrokey1123]

You dont want to use your saves as then you wont get the trophies for the stuff you did already.

[Darkstorn]

Never got a chance to play the originals (I had an Xbox last gen and defected to the PS3 this gen...) so this is a definite must-buy for me. Nice to see it got a 9.4

[jammy_70]

a great thing.... dream theater are doing a song for GOW3 MY FAV BAND!!! i cant wait!!!

[gintoki777]

dream theater is really doing a song for gow3 that nuts wow

[Xbox Avatars Shoe]

Nice avatar XD

[II Necroplasm II]

I still haven't played GoW 2 yet, so I'm pretty excited.

[NeoSprtacus]

@1.4 or 1.5

I haven't heard that Dream Theater is doing a song for it, that's awesome. I think The Glass Prison would be epic as an intro song, sans vocals (just doesn't fit GoW3 to have it).
Pan to Kratos, have shots of him climbing a titan as the bell tolls.
Intro guitar.

Pure epicness. Bow to its potential!

[jammy_70]

year there doing a song, its a new instrumental, man its gonna be awesome!!!!!

[FadeToBlack]

I've never played either of these games.
I'm definatly gonna be getting this

[zootang]

How come the reviewer sounds like his mum (mom) died

[Johnny Rotten]

his mom was a goddess and Kratos killed her.

[kurochi]

or maybe his mum was the chick that was taking a shower when Kratos busted in and did a freaking orgy with her friends.....???

[Unicron]

Graphics
While they don't hold a candle to the likes of Uncharted 2, the games look great in HD, especially God of War II. The crisp framerate is also very welcome.

*giggles*

So UC2 is now the standard for visual comparisons for ALL titles across different genres... tell me again how MW2 got a 10?

[frostypants]

"Swag bag"!

[thedisagreefairy]

you my good friend are absolutely right.

at least activision didnt do what ubisoft did for assassins creed 2 and send them all to italy and give them a buttload of free stuff for them to review the game.

[DJ]

Regardless of how bad the graphics are, or if the game modes even work. The major websites like IGN make their money from Advertisement Revenue. Without promising the game's respective publisher a high score, they don't recieve early review copies. Without early review copies, they lose hundreds of thousands of potential pageviews (i.e. cash).

The best websites for news and reviews are actually the smaller ones, since publishers tend to ignore them and they make very little money (if at all).

[raztad]

@Dear Unicron

IGN has been recurrently doing the same. Every PS3 EXCLUSIVE game is compared (graphics wise) to UC2. NGS2, ACiT and (come on) GoW Collection, and then some points are deducted. The same rule wasnt applied to ODST or MW2.

Conclusion is IGN is using different rules for different platforms and for different games.

[DarkTower805]

Sending anything other than a game to reviewers should be illegal imo. When review scores can ultimately sway the general public to buy or not buy a video game with their hard earned money, the scores should not be swayed by money or gifts.

[Marceles]

"So UC2 is now the standard for visual comparisons for ALL titles across different genres."

Only on PS3 lol...everything else always gets away with having crappy visuals

[ultimolu]

Lol, so true.

[Darkstorn]

@3.4-
The reviewers have different graphical standards for different consoles. 360 exclusives must be compared to Halo or Gears simply because the 360 doesn't have enough power to compare to PS3 exclusives. And PS3 games must be held to a higher standard because the PS3 has more graphical prowess. Reviewers don't hold the Wii accountable for poor graphics because the system is not powerful enough. Same for the 360.

[RememberThe357]

IGN has different teams that review for the different platforms. Maybe IGN's PS3 team has higher standards. It wouldn't surprise me.

[II Necroplasm II]

That was a pretty stupid quote though, it's PS2 games remastered. Besides my point, GoW games still looked amazing.

[IrishRepublicanArmy]

im really let down by mw2. not only does the campaign feel bland but short too. also kills dont feel that good anynore as 100's of pts are thrown at you from everywhere. also they put a stop to te glitch community by putting levels on cliffs or radiation zones around them.
finally ive never been so pissed off with the friend invite system. it was perfect in cod4 so why change it. ifs its gona get changed back plz pm me. after playing killzone 2 and getting all its trophies mw2 feels weighless and v. shallow. sucks for me cus ive spent 20days on cod4. lets hope cod4 online lives on.

[frostypants]

I forgot this was being released! Argh! Too many games!

[hatchimatchi]

i won't be buying this because i already own both games, but i bet they do look good in hd.

[Johnny Rotten]

I'm going to buy because it's fairly cheap and I want to see more gems be re-released!

[LastDays]

I'm buying for trophies and the possibility that team ico could be persuaded. If you remember, they said they'd consider bringing ico and sotc to the PS3 in HD if GOW does well.

[RockmanII7]

You would rather see games re-released over and over again instead of seeing new games? I am ok with a franchise being remade after a long time, but GoW2 came out in '06.

[Johnny Rotten]

as of right now there is no shortage of new games coming to the PS3 and I remember seeing an article where it stated that it took very little time and resources to complete the "re-mastered" versions of GOW (something like a few weeks and they completed it before their deadline).

It's a win/win situation, because first of all not everyone has played the title (and most people would never have the chance due to the backwards compatibility issues) and second the developers can promote a new release with have a few extra dollars to help keep the project going! Think of it as a way for developers to make their own version of GT Prologue.

[BWS1982]

is that you used the word "instead" --I don't see them making this collection in place of other games on deck, and I'm not sure where such evidence could come from. This is also a marketing tool, in a way, to get hype up for GOW3...think about it, it has the demo being released with it, and some people (like me) never played the first 2 because I never had a PS2 last gen, I just jumped right into PS3 because it would be like having a PS3 along with a PS2 (kind of). Luckily I have the 80GB from summer of '08 and have software BC, so I already bought the first 2 in their original form. I love them so much I eventually will get this one as well.

If they can rerelease this, it makes more GOW3 copies sell, and makes more revenue come in, then the studio has more fanfare, users, and revenue. It's win-win, and they can use it to further their newer games too. It doesn't have to be mutually exclusive.

[Sarcasm]

"but GoW2 came out in '06. "

So that makes it 3 years and 8 months later. And not to mention it's GoW1 and GoW2 for $40 considering that the PS2 versions are still $20 each today. So for the same price to own both, playing it in clear HD with trophies (for those who care) is a no brainer.

And since it supposedly only took 15 weeks to re-master, it's not like they had to stop making other games just to make it.

So like what's his name said, it's a win/win for gamers and the developer.

[Socomer 1979]

Already Pre-ordered & will be playing god of war chains of olympus again soon after.

I will be soaked in the Gods Blood.

[darthv72]

I finally beat that one recently. Great rendition of the game and it would be an ultimate unlockable if it was part of the GoW collection. Remastered as well with DS3 controls.

Is that to much to wish for??? Maybe we can have a sequel to chains on the psp/go?

[FunAndGun]

If you pre-order GoW 3 at Best Buy and Purchase the GoW collection on the same day, you will get $10 off the collection price.

So you can get the GoW collection for 30 bones. and you will also get a demo code! Pretty damn good deal!

[Dutch Boogie]

man i'm gonna be all over this b1tch when releases. Definitely worth the gwap.

[iistuii]

MW2 gets slated for doing nothing new, yet an old couple of games get a make over and your all happy. Sorry i don't get it.
@ below, Yeah and your willing to pay $40 for a ps2 game youve played before , and miss out on the best online shooter for years...Crazy

[SuperStrokey1123]

But this is SUPPOSED to be the same, its a remake not an entirely new game.

[raztad]

You said it, they are old repackaged games ($40) no one is expecting them to come with something new gameplay-wise BUT the visuals and framerate are highly improved. The incredible GoW3 demo might be another good reason to have this game as well.

[nycredude]

Umm CODMW2 is sitting at 95 on meta. Tell me again how it got slighted?

Also these are remakes, not new games and these two games will take you at least 20 hours to complete, which is four times longer than CODooty 6, and will ONLY cost $40. I think you need to rethink your comment. Did I mention you will also get the GOW3 demo?

Since we are on CODooty I just thought I would add that I beat the sp twice in under 11 hours, which is 2 hours less than it took me to beat Uncharted 2 once, and IMO UC2 mp and coop is more fun.

[Unicron]

"MW2 gets slated for doing nothing new, yet an old couple of games get a make over and your all happy. Sorry i don't get it."

I don't recall GoW Collection being marketed as a sequel or a new title. It's an HD-port. So yes, in that case I am happy. If this was marketed as God of War 3, then I'd be pissed.

"@ below, Yeah and your willing to pay $40 for a ps2 game youve played before , and miss out on the best online shooter for years...Crazy"

Because I can't own both? Oh wait I can. Because I can't be disappointed in MW2 because of the utterly noobfriendly changes? Lack of impressive visuals? Short campaign? Lack of ANY kind of skill needed for MP other than "see your enemy first?" Yup... "best" is truly subjective.

I dislike a lot about MW2 because of design choices in MW2, not because of anything relating to any other title.

[crck]

Its 2 games on one disc that take about 25 hours to play through. And its the same price as someone who was looking to pick up both games seperately on the PS2. Anyway this collection wasn't meant for everyone to buy. It's meant for the hardcore God Of War fans or PS3 owners that don't have a PS2, never played the series and want to do catch up before God of War 3 hits.

[gamingisnotacrime]

GoW collection is what PS fans asked for and now its here. Kratos in HD, 60 fps, both in one sweet BluRay and two platinum trophies.
Yeah this is great, good purchase any day
This GoW at its best, and i will buy it and hunt those trophies down :)

[jack_burt0n]

Mate its just a warm up for GOTY 10.

[badz149]

dude, just shut up if you just wanna bring MW2 in here! plus it's not just 'a' PS2 game, it's a compilation of TWO of the best PS2 games remastered in HD and added trophies! it is rendered at higher resolutions than both ODST and MW2 and cost $40! SP in ODST and MW2 added up to 11 hours max and buying both cost $120! this collection at $40 will simply exceed 20 hours to finish and do you really wanna come in here and say it's not worth it? GET OVER YOURSELF ALREADY!

[RockmanII7]

You get 2 last-gen games for $40, how are you trying to defend this. You can pick up the Original Splinter Cell trilogy for $12, You can get GeoW for $12, Valkyria Chronicles for $20. For $10 more, you can get any Wii game the day it comes out. PS Halo and CoD is about the multiplayer, not single player.

[YogiBear]

Just one problem with your argument. The God of War series blows Call of Duty out of the water.

[badz149]

Thank you! couldn't have said it better myself!

@baseball

yes, these 2 games are last-gen games but beautifully remastered in 720p and added with trophies and 60fps! you're talking about generation of games here? like, really? no Halo or CoD even have more than 640p on consoles yet! how about that for your "current gen" games? plus, many other out there like myself have never played these games last gen and to be able to get these in HD and trophies is a steal! all those other games you mentioned were reduced in price for already being in the market for quite some times and that will happen to almost every single game ever released! baahh...what ever! I'm getting it!

[DJ]

I'm gonna get so many trophies this holiday season.

[Dirk Benedict]

It's very good. It runs like greased lightning. The aliasing and textures are greatly improved over the originals.

This is another great year for the PS3™.

[Socomer 1979]

Do you know how BRUTAL God Of War is???

Kratos Owns.

[i like jam]

so glad i pre ordered this. looks great

[RuPaul]

would remove B/C and then have the nerve of reselling PS2 games at a inflated price like this.

[Aquarius]

I'm sure there's alot of inflated stuff on your body.

Did you get a face lift, nose job, penis enlargement or breasts enlargement?

Which one is it?

Oh what was that you couldn't afford them, so you decided to become a transvestite instead?

[LtSkittles]

Inflated? I didn't know $40 was inflated :/.

[Lord_Ranos]

Gaylo 3: ODLC says hi.

[BubbleSniper]

rupaul = bot

[Double07]

Lulz, just taking a look at some of his past comments and your 100% right. What a dumb inbred he is.

[Feral Gamer]

Sweet, I'm picking this up for sure!

[Omega Zues]

Cant wait to buy!

[JonnyBigBoss]

I gotta say, I know it'd go AAA but not 9.4+. I'm really glad to hear it's better than I even expected. I gotta get it...

[darthv72]

PSN or BD for this game? We all know the end result now is of course BD. Do you think they would have been able to achieve the same quality and improvements (hd gfx and trophies) had this been made for PSN?

I look at other games made exclusively for psn (R&C booty, wipeout, Tekken 5, etc) and think why didnt they take that route instead of a physical release.

Now the question is, will other companies follow suit? A Jak and Daxter collection in HD or maybe a Rachet/Clank HD collectors edition?

[gamingisnotacrime]

I mant the art in the manual and casing for my PS3 collection,it will look sweet next to Uncharted series and etc

[gamingisnotacrime]

The videos looking bad is a negative? is bonus content, wow ign will go to any extreme to find something negative. Gets worst by the minute this site.

And mentioning the absence of Chains of Olympus, WTF? looking for something negative again. I think ign is garbage and not even good reviews are trustworthy. Luckily i am a gamer and i find out for myself what games to buy and which to dish

[NicCageMYHero]

It still got a 9.4 though. I'm sure it is going to be amazing to have both games on one disc with a butter smooth frame-rate, but to be honest, I'd love to have CoO on there as well. For someone that has owned PS1, PS2, and PS3 but never a PSP, I'd love to try that game.

[RockmanII7]

First U2 and now this? It fascinates me that you guys can complain about getting AAA scores.

[NicCageMYHero]

Don't need...but DO WANT.