GOD OF WAR: ASCENSION

God of War: Ascension is an upcoming third person action-adventure video game being developed by SCE Santa Monica Studio and to be published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game is scheduled to be released on March 12, 2013 for the PlayStation 3 video game console. 

The game will be the seventh installment in the God of War series and a prequel to the entire series. The game will be the first installment in the series to feature multiplayer and to be developed with Stereoscopic 3D. The game will also feature a revamped combat and weapon system, and new gameplay mechanics.

Loosely based on Greek mythology, the game will be set in Ancient Greece with the player controlling the protagonist Kratos, who attempts to sever ties with the God of War, Ares, who tricked Kratos into murdering his wife and child. God of War: Ascension will chronologically be the first chapter in the series, forming part of a saga with vengeance as a central theme.

The single-player will feature a "revamped" combat and weapon system, "promptless" mini-games and new puzzles. Sony stated the game will offer "fluid, life-like characters, dynamic lighting effects, and world-changing scenarios", although the story is "a little bit shorter" than previous games.

At E3 2012, a single-player demo showcased new gameplay mechanics and combat systems. The demo revealed a revamped quick time event mini-game, which replaces some button prompts with a new prompt-less free-form system (players needing to time attacks or evasion based on enemy's actions, as opposed to an indicated button prompt). Kratos was also shown to be capable of picking up (and stealing) weapons for use against opponents (also allowing Kratos to switch weapons mid-combo), and swing opponents through the air whilst simultaneously attacking. Other new features include the ability to create shockwaves and the "Life Cycle" mechanic: allowing Kratos to freeze enemies and manipulate time to control various objects for puzzle solving. Several new enemies were also featured, such as the Elephantaur and the sea beast Charybdis.

The story behind God of War: Ascension tells the journey of Kratos’ redemption from his past sins and the rise of his rage to break free from Ares' bond. According to the official God of War: Ascension website, the game is set six months after Kratos murdered his wife and child. Joystiq confirms "players will be introduced to a more human Kratos than ever before" with director Todd Papy stating that the game will be "giving people a look at Kratos' human side so fans can relate to him better and understand some of the stuff he went through when he was younger." Papy also confirmed that Kratos will have the "Blades of Chaos" and that the story takes place after Kratos sold his soul to Ares.

God of War: Ascension is a prequel to the God of War series, which is very loosely based on Greek mythology. The main character of Ascension is still Kratos, but he is not yet the "Ghost of Sparta," or the "God of War," and is not "bound in blood," or even that angry. 

A tentative 2013 date was announced during Sony's E3 2012 conference.

At the initial announcement, Sony Santa Monica outright refused to address Ascension's single-player offering beyond noting that it exists and that it features Kratos in a prequel story. 

God of War: Ascension's multiplayer modes won't feature Kratos, but rather nameless characters that players will opt to customize as they see fit. 

Combatants can pledge allegiance to one of four gods -- Zeus, Poseidon, Hades and Ares -- and will receive special powers, bonuses, strengths and weaknesses as a result. Armor and weapons can be customized, equipped and strengthened, and there will be full experience, upgrading and leveling systems, too. 

In the mode shown, players not only engage in combat with the other team, but fend off AI-controlled enemies. The ultimate goal, however, is to down the gigantic enemy stalking the area, destroying everything around him and squashing humans around you like they're ants. Players will have a harder time surviving if they don't cooperate with those around them, bringing a strategic slant to the series.  

Santa Monica has confirmed there will be no local split-screen support and no drop-in/drop-out mechanics. Online play via the PlayStation Network seems to have taken precedence over couch co-op.

Santa Monica also hasn't narrowed-down the number of maps that will be available in modes like the one shown, though right now they're hovering around seven maps (five large, two small). 

Kratos will not be a playable character in multiplayer. Other armored warriors were shown in the first demo but not identified. There will be no playable female characters.

SCE Santa Monica, also known as Sony Santa Monica, is developing God of War: Ascension. The first-party Sony developer is based in Santa Monica, California and was founded in 1999. Sony Santa Monica has previously developed Kinetica, God of War, God of War II and God of War III. 

he game will offer a multiplayer feature for up to eight players, with a small story element. Players will be on two teams of four where the teams will try to take control of a map in order to earn rewards from the gods, although the players must first sell their champion's soul to one of four deities: Zeus, Hades, Ares, or Poseidon. This decision allows players to trial different weapons, armor sets, and powers inspired by the god of their choice, with extras such as customizable avatar warriors and other multiplayer features able to be unlocked. The first trial demonstration indicates an apparent struggle between Sparta and Troy for control of territory, with the Titan cyclops Polyphemus also in play attacking the warring armies. Contested zones also contain mechanical gears that control the chains binding the one-eyed giant, and after capturing multiple gears, the gods award the Spartan soldiers with the Spear of Olympus, which in turn provides the power needed to dispatch Polyphemus. 

The mode fluctuates from attack and defend, forcing Sparta to hold the territory gained as they attempt to destroy Polyphemus. If Troy regains control of territory, Polyphemus resets to original position and the Spear is lost.

  


GAMEPLAY VIDEO: