God of War: Chains of Olympus Review - A Legendary PSP Experience 'god_of_war:_chains_of_olympus'

It's hard to believe it has been over a decade since God of War first stormed onto consoles and captured our hearts with its visceral hack-and-slash gameplay, stunning visuals, and an unforgettable protagonist in the brooding Kratos. The success of this action-adventure series was almost inevitable given developer Santa Monica Studio's masterful execution, but could they repeat their magic on a more diminutive platform like Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP)?

Fortunately for fans eager to get their hands back into the world of Greek mythology and chains-fueled mayhem, God of War: Chains of Olympus answers with an emphatic yes. This prequel/sequel hybrid expertly condenses the essence of its PS2 forebears while still delivering a gaming experience that feels anything but compromised for being on-the-go.

Graphically speaking, GoWCoO is nothing short than breathtaking - considering it was released in 2008 no less! The PSP's capable hardware is pushed to its limits as lush environments and detailed character models come alive with impressive fidelity. From the sun-drenched streets of ancient Greece to the foreboding depths beneath Mount Olympus itself, every location has been lovingly recreated with such attention-to-detail that you'll often forget this isn't a full-fledged PS2 title.

But graphics alone don't make an excellent game; thankfully, Santa Monica Studio also recognized this fact and have ensured that Chains of Olympus retains all the brutal action sequences fans expect from God of War. Kratos' signature moveset remains intact - chains rippling through foes as he dispatches them with ease using his trusty Blades of Chaos or a well-placed jump attack.

Of course, given its handheld nature (and subsequent shorter length), don't go into this thinking you'll be spending dozens upon hours exploring vast open worlds like in God of War II. Instead, expect bite-sized chunks of intense action-packed gameplay interspersed with short cutscenes that advance the story forward at a breakneck pace.

In terms of difficulty, Chains of Olympus strikes an excellent balance between accessibility and challenge - perfect for both new players looking to dip their toes into godly combat or seasoned veterans seeking something slightly easier than God Wars I & II without sacrificing any satisfaction. The learning curve may be steep initially due largely because some moves are mapped differently on PSP controls compared to standard controllers used elsewhere within the series; however, once you've got the hang of things (which shouldn't take long given how fluidly everything else feels), prepare yourself for hours upon grueling yet rewarding combat against hordes upon hordes of spiky helmeted goons.

In conclusion: God Of War: Chains Of Olympus is an absolute must-have title regardless whether you own a PSP or not. If you're looking for some quality action-packed gaming on-the-go without breaking the bank, then look no further than this masterfully crafted gem from Sony Computer Entertainment and Santa Monica Studio - it won't disappoint!

Rating (out of 10): '9/10

God of war: chains of olympus