If you've played any of the PlayStation 2 God of War entries, you know just what to expect from God of War: Chains of Olympus. It looks like the PlayStation 2 editions. It plays like the PlayStation 2 editions. And considering that the PSP is, well, portable, that's a pretty impressive feat.

But at the same time, the handheld title's similarities to the PlayStation 2 editions create some problems, especially for series veterans. While it's nice to have God of War on the go, it's hard to shake the feeling that you've played it all before. Read more »

SCE Santa Monica's PlayStation 3 entry in its deity slaughtering action series God of War is "coming soon," according an ad in the instruction manual for the upcoming God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP), which was delivered to Shack's Indiana branch this evening.

No additional details were provided on the title, which was hypothetically mentioned by God of War II (PS2) director Cory Barlog during a launch party for the sequel last spring, and then confirmed after Barlog left SCEA in the fall. Read more »

Sony has announced a new PSP bundle that packages Ready at Dawn's upcoming God of War PSP title with a special edition of its PSP console.

The Limited-Edition God of War PSP Entertainment Pack will be priced at $199.99, and include a copy of God of War: Chains of Olympus, a Deep Red PSP emblazoned with the visage of Kratos himself, and a few things Sony had laying around the house--namely a Superbad UMD and a voucher for the PlayStation Network title Syphon Filter: Combat Ops. Read more »

New gameplay footage from the action game God of War: Chains of Olympus is now available on FileShack. Ready at Dawn's second PSP title is due out March 4.

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Demos of the chain-wielding Katros' PSP debut, Ready at Dawn's God of War: Chains of Olympus, are now shipping out to those who signed up for a copy earlier this year. "As I type these words, legions of carrier Harpies are being dispatched to deliver the sweet UMD goodness that is God of War: Chains of Olympus – Special edition: Battle of Attica Demo Disc...otherwise know as GOW: COO –SE:BoADD," God of War II director and Chains of Olympus creative director Cory Barlog posted on the official PlayStation blog. "Good god...that is a freaking mouthful, even typing this abbreviated version makes me tired." The recently delayed God of War: Chains of Olympus now arrives March 4, 2008. For more on the title, dig into our interview and hands-on impressions.

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GameSpot has been updated with a briefGod of War: Chains of Olympus preview, checking out a recent build of the PSP action game.

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Developer Ready at Dawn told GameSpot today the PSP iteration of God of War will retail March 4, 2008. The date confirms rumors of a delay from the originally planned fourth quarter 2007 release given to Shacknews in an interview earlier this year. In addition to the demo disc being sent to those who signed up for it earlier this year, the developer revealed that a second UMD demo of the title will be made available. Including gameplay from the game's Cave of Eos section as well as "making-of" footage, Ready at Dawn expects the first demo to ship to selected gamers this month. The other demo, which will not contain the original's special features, will presumably be made available via certain retailers later this year. The studio has already begun work on a separate original IP and hired on Naughty Dog vet Dan Arey as a new creative director. Shacknews contacted Sony for more information on the delay, but has not yet received a response. To read more about God of War: Chains of Olympus, check out Chris Faylor's aforementioned interview with the Ready at Dawn team.

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When I last checked in with Ready at Dawn's God of War: Chains of Olympus, things were looking good. The graphics appeared nearly identical to those of SCE Santa Monica's original God of War on PlayStation 2, complete with all the brutal graphics, stage-altering boss battles, and detailed environments for which the series is known. As the PlayStation 2 and PSP share a similar button layout, the core combat controls exactly the same as here as it did on PS2. Within seconds of picking up the PSP, I was pulling off familiar combos, swinging Kratos' chains overhead, throwing enemies up into the air and then slamming them back down. Though the PSP lacks the right analog stick used to roll in the PS2 games, it only takes a few moments to familiarize oneself with the new method. When holding down the PSP's shoulder buttons, the analog stick controls Kratos' rolls. To illustrate the simplicity of adapting to the new controls, the demo unit was already in the midst of a basilisk boss fight when I picked it up. Kratos had less than half of his health, and the basilisk had yet to take any damage. Never having actually played the demo before, I was dodging and rolling almost instantly and managed to defeat the mythical beast without taking any substantial damage. From there, the demo pitted Kratos against Persian invaders and some environmental obstacles. As Kratos ventured into an area where mortars came constantly crashing down, he had to push a battering ram across a battlefield while under fire, stopping every few steps to avoid fiery death. Eventually Kratos reached the door and, through the series' traditional use of rapidly tapping the O button to activate environmental actions, destroyed it with the battering ram. A minor puzzle was waiting beyond the ruins of the former gate, a turning wheel that would temporarily open a door on the other side of the room. Of course, nothing is every quite that simple in God of War. The room was filled with archers, more of whom would rush in after their comrades were defeated. It was a race to kill them as fast as possible, turn the wheel until they appeared, and roll under the door just as it was sliding shut. This all sounds very much like the type of thing one might find in a God of War game on PlayStation 2, and that is the best way to describe God of War: Chains of Olympus. It is God of War on the PSP, exactly as you would imagine it, playing as well and looking as good as its predecessors.

Get the Flash Player to see this player. Ready at Dawn's God of War: Chains of Olympus is slated for a fall 2007 release.

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