God of War: Chains of Olympus

About God of War: Chains of Olympus

Ready At Dawn brought Kratos to the PSP in 2008 with Chains of Olympus. This prequel lands ten years before the original console title and serves as the third entry overall. The story finds our anti-hero defending Attica from a Persian invasion while chasing down a basilisk. It runs on the handheld system as a single-player adventure. Players control Kratos through Greek myth-inspired levels filled with enemies and environmental puzzles. The game retains the heavy combat style of the main series but adapts everything for a smaller screen. You fight giants, solve box-based riddles, and use quick-time events to survive encounters. This portable entry proves the franchise could shrink without losing its identity or power.

Gameplay

Combat feels tight despite the limited button layout. Dodging requires holding both shoulder triggers while using the analog stick to reposition. You swing the Blades of Chaos in wide arcs to chain enemies together before finishing them off with heavy attacks. The game introduces new tools like the Sun Shield and spells such as Light of Dawn to handle different threats. Progression relies on collecting red orbs for upgrades, Gorgon eyes for health, and Phoenix feathers for magic. Levels mix open combat arenas with tight corridors where you push crates or trigger mechanisms to proceed. Quick-time events punctuate boss fights and scripted moments to keep the pacing frantic. You constantly switch between weapon types and magical abilities to overcome obstacles and defeat the Persian army.

What Players Think

Critics and players agree this is a standout title on the handheld. The Metacritic score sits at 91 out of 100 while IGDB lists an average rating of 82.4 based on 309 user reviews. Most people who start the game finish it, showing strong engagement across all difficulty settings. Community moods lean heavily toward nostalgic appreciation since this was a technical marvel for its time. Players often cite the smooth frame rate and lack of load times as major positives compared to other PSP games. Review snippets frequently mention the control scheme adaptation as surprisingly effective for such complex combat. The average playtime hovers around ten hours for a standard run, making it a concise but complete experience.

PlayPile's Take

This game works well if you want a solid action title on your portable device. It costs less than current releases and offers a complete story without microtransactions. You earn thirteen achievements by mastering combat and finding all collectibles like the hidden Gorgon eyes. The difficulty ramps up nicely against bosses that require precise timing rather than just button mashing. Fans of the main console series will find plenty to love here despite the screen size limitations. Those who prefer slow exploration might struggle with the constant pressure of melee encounters. It remains a definitive handheld experience that holds up years after its 2008 release.

Storyline

Set halfway through Kratos' ten years of servitude to the Gods, Chains of Olympus begins with Kratos being dispatched to the city of Attica to help defend it from the invading Persian army. Soon after his arrival, the Spartan spots a basilisk climbing over the city walls and gives chase. During his chase, Kratos confronts the Persian King inside the city and kills him. Taking the King's power to summon the Efreet, he then encounters the basilisk and kills it. After defeating the basilisk, he witnesses the sun fall from the sky, plunging the world into darkness. Following the dim remaining light on the horizon, Kratos fights his way through the city of Marathon, along the way encountering the black fog of Morpheus, which now covers the land in darkness.