GOD OF WAR III: REMASTERED
Kratos’ Zeus-pummelling quest is reborn on PS4, in one crisp, killer package
You’d think we’d all be sick of HD do-overs by now, but when a redux is as beautifully handled as Kratos’ PS4 bow, it’s hard to grumble. Quite frankly, God Of War III: Remastered manages a titanic technical leap over the original game, breathing fresh life into a still stellar (if slightly ageing) classic. It’s testament to the quality of the original art assets that this remaster looks so damn handsome. Few of the PS3 game’s textures or models have been tweaked for this PS4 port, partly because they looked so ruddy good to begin with. Instead, Wholesale Algorithms concentrated on bumping the resolution to 1080p (up from 720p), and increasing the framerate to a buttery 60fps (the PS3 version is locked at 30fps). The latter upgrade improves combat tremendously, and there’s now a snappy feel to controls during fights that poor old PS3 simply couldn’t deliver.
Away from technical tinkering, the core God Of War III experience remains as sturdy as Kratos’ always- agitated abs, even seven years on. Few action games since have matched the Spartan’s divine combat model, let alone bettered it. GOW III’s persistent charm is also a great advert for effective pacing – space your thrills out properly, and a game’s appeal will last indefinitely.
Kratos the character may have aged poorly when compared to fully fleshed-out modern heroes like Horizon: Zero Dawn’s Aloy, but there’s no denying his Mount Olympus murderfest remains a cracking action title. Of course, the next time we see Kratos on PS4, the Spartan will be a whole lot more paternal and beardier, probably more characterful though likely no less murdery. This Greek blast from the past is fun. Now bring on the Norse slaughter!
“THERE’S NOW A SNAPPY FEEL TO CONTROLS DURING FIGHTS.”