God of War review (no spoilers)

Ok, just finished God of War and it's fair to say the production values in this game are of the highest order.

Graphics are amazing and despite competing with other great looking games, Horizon Zero Dawn, Uncharted come to mind, this is easily the best looking this gen, those with a 4k TV and a PS4 Pro can choose 4k 30fps, those with just a pro can play 1080p at 60fps, although it is not consistant 60fps, a vanilla PS4 will play 1080p 30fps.

The story is not up to the standard of The Last of Us and I was hoping for more, not that it was bad, just not as fulfilling as Naughty Dogs offering, but what sets this game apart is the combat, it is brutal at times, your axe slicing and dicing it's way through early levels, able to be thrown zinging it's way at the enemy and retrieved with a simple press of the triangle button, damaging any enemy stupid enough to be in it's way as it returns.

Kratos has a son Atreus in this game, and he too can hold his own in battle, carrying a bow that can be called on and can have a huge influence in battle.

Searching for chests is rewarded with a variety of treasures, and you find yourself eagerly solving puzzles to access their offerings to upgrade weapons etc.

Talking of upgrades there are a huge amount of options on offer, not just to your weapon but Atreus's bow too, and it is far more than a few more arrows or faster firing, there are all sorts of different attacks to unlock all animated in the menu so you can see exactly what it does before committing to it, a nice touch.

There are far too many combos to remember, but I had my favourites and remembered those, one in particular I almost felt sorry for the poor sucker on the receiving end.

It doesn't stop at your weapons, upgrading armour, magic abilities all add to the way you play the game, decisions being made on your preference for defence or attack, all showing up in game as your armour and power increases.

Being Kratos as you battle you build up your SPARTEN RAGE which can also be upgraded, when full it can be unleashed in all it's glorious unstoppable fury, use it wisely though, it is a handy fall back for when things start to go south.

In attack you can sometimes stun an enemy, running up to them pressing R3 will do a finishing move that is as satisfying as it sounds as their body is ripped asunder, the bigger enemies you get the chance to pummel into submission.

There are also boss fights, some of these battles are as epic and brutal as you would expect from a God of War game, the first one in particular is memorable and bloody, reading patterns is the key, but later on that becomes quite a challenge and you will certainly earn your stripes.

There are many things I am not saying about this game, with surprises along the way, one in particular stands out.

God of War is a great game, a graphical and gaming masterpiece and for many will be the game of the generation, highly recommended.

Oh I might add I got this Friday and finished it late Wednesday, playing it everyday, so gives you a good idea of game length, that is without doing all the side missions.

I also had a go at one of the Valkyries, BIG mistake you are a better man than me if you defeat them.