God of War: Ascension is an upcoming action-adventure video game developed by SCE Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. It will be the seventh installment in the God of War series, the first main entry in the series to not be numbered as it is a prequel to the entire series, and the first installment in the series to offer multiplayer.
Loosely based on Greek mythology, God of War: Ascension will focus on protagonist Kratos before he became the "Ghost of Sparta." The game will chronologically be the first chapter in the series, forming part of a saga with vengeance as a central theme.
Gameplay
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.
Multiplayer
The game will offer a multiplayer feature for up to
eight players, with a small story element. Players will be on 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 customisable 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 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.
Plot
The story will focus on a younger Kratos, driven mad
after being tricked into killing his wife and child by the god Ares and now
seeking revenge. 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.
Development
John Hight, studio director at Santa Monica, advised Joystiq that "while God of War III will conclude the
trilogy, it won't spell the end of the franchise", and claimed "We're
going to be really careful about what we do next."
In April 2011, PSM3
magazine printed that a source that "works closely with the God of War
universe" clamed a fourth entry in the series is set for release around
September 2012. A month later Official
PlayStation Magazine also mentioned God of War IV and
claimed it will feature an online component. New Zealand-based online retailer Mighty Ape then listed God of War IV
for release in 2012. In early 2012, composer Timothy Williams listed God of
War IV on his resume, followed by David Thornfield, an animator from the
motion capture studio "House of Moves", who listed God of War IV
on his LinkedIn. During Sony's retailer-only
Destination PlayStation event, Canadian retailer Future Shop, then indicated on Twitter that God of War IV is
imminent.
The official PlayStation Facebook page released a teaser image (with
the text "Will Vengeance Bring Redemption?") on April 12, 2012. The
announcement trailer was released on April 19, 2012 and announced Todd Papy as
Game Director, who was previously the Design Director for God of War III,
although Amazon leaked the news a day early. The trailer,
narrated by Linda Hunt, refers to a time before Kratos
became the "Ghost of Sparta" and was not "bound in blood."
The announcement officially confirmed the name of the game as God of War:
Ascension. Director Papy notes that they didn't call it God of War IV
because it would make "people...think it picks up where the trilogy
left" and they didn't want to call it God of War 0. They chose Ascension
because it goes along with the story of the game as well as the multiplayer as
players are "basically ascending from an unknown hero to a god."
On April 30, 2012, it was confirmed that the game will feature a retooled God
of War III engine, enabling online and offline multiplayer battles for up
to eight players. Director Papy confirmed that in order to allow customization,
Kratos and other known gods will not be included in the multiplayer modes as
playable characters, as the developers did not want "red Kratos, blue
Kratos, yellow Kratos" and selecting gods would lock-in players to
established roles. This decision was made "...to balance the game when
players are pitted against each other." Director Papy also noted that
there will be no female characters because each character in multiplayer mode
is based on Kratos' animation model.
