Ready at Dawn's PSP entry in the God of War series to stores today. Having recently completed the title, I'm here to tell you that it's pretty fun, if a little familiar.

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. Keep reading...

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.

"If we were to do a God of War III [on PS3], then it would finish this massive story," Barlog said during the launch event. "We've always imagined God of War as a trilogy, but the PSP game very much ties into it."

The tease of another God of War title within the packaging of the series' latest entry continues a tradition that began with God of War II, the manual of which confirmed the long-rumored PSP edition. However, the God of War PS3 ad fails to specify a tentative date as the PSP one did.

Developed by Ready at Dawn with the participation of SCE Santa Monica staff, God of War: Chains of Olympus, the franchise's first PSP outing, ships to North American retailers on March 4.

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.

The bundle goes on sale in June, so those wanting to pick up a PSP before the March 4 release date of Chains of Olympus will be facing a dilemma. Either way, check out a few shots of the Kratos-branded PSP below.

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.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Registered users can use the HD Stream

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.

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

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.

Following up on our previous coverage of Kratos' first PSP outing, I go hands on with Ready at Dawn's God of War: Chains of Olympus. Check out my intitial impressions.

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...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.
Read more...