Bryce Zabel's FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

God of War II (2007) -vs- God of War (2005)

Videogame Review by Jonathan Zabel

The Smackdown.  The "God of War" franchise is one of only a select few based on original IP that have broken out into major mainstream success.  Hard as it might be to believe today, SONY took a pretty big risk when they greenlit the original, "God of War."  We do live in the age of movie tie-ins and sequels, after all.  I can only imagine the reaction from execs when legendary designer David Jaffe gave them his first elevator pitch:  "There's this bald Greek dude, Kratos, OK?  And the gods screwed him over!  Armed with only a kilt, a bunch of body paint, and the two swords chained to his arms, he's going to get revenge..." But they bought it, obviously, because we have "God of War II" to play now.

"Griffins are mythical beasts with the body of a lion and the wings of an eagle... but don't worry, I fixed the second part."

The Challenger.  When you're making the sequel to an almost universally acclaimed game, you've basically got two options:  (1) Change as little as possible and improve by degrees or (2) spend the goodwill of the fans trying out innovative new mechanics.  SONY Santa Monica took the conventional path with "God of War II," but I can't say I really fault them for it.  Everything has been dialed up to 11 both in terms of scale and intensity.  Let's take the opening stage as an example, in which Kratos is drained of his godly powers and forced to square off against the humongous Colossus of Rhodes (which has been granted ghastly life by a vengeful Athena).  It chases you across the entire island as you frantically attempt to slow it down by breaking its arms and cutting out both of its eyes.  Eventually, you climb inside the statue and deliver the final blow using a sword given to you by Zeus himself.  Did I forget to mention that was the first level?

"Where's Harry Hamlin when you need him?"

The Defending Champion.  "God of War" impressed critics and gamers alike not because it was original, but rather because it took almost every concept that action games have been trying to do for years... and it did them right.  Most of the gameplay revolves around the combat, which is context-based.  Press the correct button or sequence of buttons at the right time and you'll perform a devastating finishing move.  You can never behead enough Gorgons if you ask me!  As far the story goes, there's no argument that ashen-skinned Kratos is a certifiable badass in addition to being one of the most unrepentant anti-heroes gaming has ever seen.  Finding out the true reason behind his unflinching desire to kill Ares (the God of War), regardless of how it might damn him, is a surprisingly compelling story considering the medium in which it's being told.

The Scorecard.   "God of War II" is, in many ways, simply the logical extension of the first game, but that doesn't mean there aren't some meaningful differences between the two.  More specifically, the plot of the second feels like a "greatest hits" compilation of Greek mythology, as you cut down heroes like Perseus (who killed Medusa), Theseus (who killed the Minotaur of Crete) and anyone else who happens to also be seeking out the Sisters of Fate to change their destiny.  Admittedly, having to pause to go Wikipedia a mythical figure or three is a bit distracting...

forgotten futurist: Playing Videogames So You Don't Have To

Do you play videogames? Okay, stupid question. These days, who doesn't? Anyway, let me introduce you to the future Ebert of videogame reviews.

f o r g o t t e n f u t u r i s t

http://forgottenfuturist.blogspot.com/

Check out this blog by a USC School of Cinema and Television student who's one of the first six people at that school to qualify for a Major degree in Interactive Media, specializing in videogame design.

His "forgotten futurist" reviews are witty, wise and well-written and informed by having tested hundreds of games and studying them at USC. In fact, he and a partner just lead a "Videogame Deconstruction Workshop" at USC that was a big hit.

You'll find reviews for almost all the new games of the past two years on this site. Here are just a few highlighted if you want to hop right to one:

• Warhammer 40000
• Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
• Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
• Gunstar Superheroes
• The Warriors

This reviewer even speaks reasonably fluent Japanese and is going there again this year on a USC scholarship where he'll be studying gender bias in videogames. Last year he visited another hotbed of videogaming, South Korea, observing some new trends there.

This rising star's name is Jonathan Zabel.Okay, we're related, but I'd say this anyway.

Read a few reviews and you'll see what I mean.

                             f o r g o t t e n f u t u r i s t

On the Beak of a Dilemma: Oregon vs. USC

This Saturday the so-far invincible USC Trojans (#1) will play the very good Oregon Ducks (#24) up in Eugene, Oregon.

This issue divides our family. I graduated from the UO with a degree in journalism more years ago than I care to freely admit. My wife, on the other hand, went to grad school at USC. My son is currently attending USC in the School of Cinema and Television, majoring in Interactive Media. That means he's in the first class where they're teaching students about videogame design and, if all goes well, he'll be able to buy me a new house because of it in a few years. So, there's that...

But I will be sitting in the box of UO President Dave Frohnmayer at game-time on Saturday afternoon. My allegiance is undimmed. Once a Duck, always a Duck. Go, Oregon!

I just came across another blogger -- who apparently knows more about college football than I do -- who actually thinks Oregon's going to win this one, predicting the Ducks bite the Trojans 31-30. Don't take my word for it. Check it out.

If things go badly, I will ask my wife not to be smug. But if there is an upset, I reserve the right to behave like a madman... a freaking delirious, rain-addled, green-and-yellow madman...

Do not underestimate the Ducks. That is all.