Here’s a couple of reasons to not only purchase a PlayStation Portable, but also get a good set of headphones.
God of War: Chains of Olympus from Sony Computer Entertainment, rated M for mature, $39.99. The testosterone-overloaded Kratos of Sparta returns to rewrite Greek mythology in this astounding prequel to the third-person adventure franchise.
This game cries out to be one with a 50-inch television bathed in high-definition glory — yet the development gods tease us by delivering an epic for a 4-inch-wide screen. To judge Kratos by his minuscule size is a big mistake, however, as his actions are some of the most rewarding ever seen on a PlayStation Portable system.
This time, the always-irritated brutal antihero finds himself a mere mortal out to save the world of man and Olympus from Hades’ finest.
Every nuance of the God of War legend is back, ranging from Kratos’ Blades of Chaos to his fighting against gargantuan monsters to his occasional foray with fair maidens (parents be warned). New powers heaped upon the player include the ability to summon a fiery demon that will pummel the Earth and clear out pesky enemies.
Of course, Kratos’ unrelenting thirst for death and destruction plays a major role in the plot, and only the strongest of mind and stomach dare witness and take part in the bloody moments that gush from the screen.
The God of War team beautifully taps into a player’s instincts as every puzzle, hunt and battle is a seamless joy based on logical choices that make him feel firmly aligned with Kratos. Be it swimming underwater to find a lever, using a sequence of controller commands to take down a Basilisk or using a dead body as a sandbag to hold open a gate, the player will not soon forget his exploits.
This interactive cinema is richly embellished through lifelike animated cut scenes supplemented by a powerful orchestral score, sound effects and star-studded narrative that will create a maelstrom of visual and aural pleasures.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII from Square Enix, rated T for teen, $39.99. The Final Fantasy franchise has shone over the years with some of the finest computer-animated scenes ever developed for a role-playing game.
The tradition continues, albeit in the more compact and less easily appreciated PSP format, as a single player controls Zack, a member of the private army, Soldier, sworn to protect all of the interests of the Shinra Electric Power Co.
For as much as God of War dazzles, Crisis Core is jaw-dropping, opening with a gorgeous introduction that leads to a cinematic, action-packed journey five years before the events of Final Fantasy VII.
Using an occasional button mash assisted by an enormous selection of combinable elements, power-ups and purchased items, the player works through 300 battle-loaded missions generously slathered with “wow” moments in the visual and aural realms.
A new element, the Digital Mind Wave, adds luck to the resource management system. Delivered in a slot machine presentation in the corner of the screen during battles, it has three windows that spin and stop to dish out specific help to Zack in the form of skill enhancements or powers.
So, basically, Zack runs around with a gigantic sword, talks to folks, and through magic or brute force destroys monsters and warriors.
This epic is a special breed that will evoke enormous pleasure for both fans of the Final Fantasy series and those who appreciate cutting-edge animation.
Note: I want to suggest required reading for both games in the form of Brady Games’ strategy guides. The God of War book ($16.99) is also a cleverly disguised primer for Greek mythology, while the Crisis Core guide ($17.99) is loaded with artwork and statistical minutia.
Write to Joseph Szadkowski, The Washington Times, 3600 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002; or send e-mail (jszadkowski@washingtontimes.com).
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