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God of War: Origins Collection Preview for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

God of War: Origins Collection Preview for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

Big Wrath Comes in Small Packages

Playing remakes at E3 is always a weird experience. Since the game doesn’t really change all that much, the best you can do is comment on how the game looks. This was the case with God of War: Origins Collection. It’s basically just both God of War PSP titles put together in one PS3 release. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not scoffing at the premise. In fact, I’ll probably be one of the first in line to pick it up, just because I’d rather have every God of War available for play on my PS3. Still, in the end, it will be the graphics that make or break this collection, and honestly, I’m not sure if I’m sold on Origins Collection’s updated appearance.

Many of you may remember what God of War: Chains of Olympus and God of War: Ghost of Sparta looked like on the PSP. Frankly, they looked pretty good, and the action flowed just as well as the PS2 and PS3 titles did. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about this updated release. Kratos’ sweeping motions with his chain blade actually look kind of blocky. It’s almost Tron-like in nature, with jagged-edged polygons being traced in the path of his blades of chaos.

God of War: Origins Collection Screenshot

Kratos’ model, on the other hand, doesn’t look half bad. The new filters not only make his pasty white skin textures seem rather smooth, but they also make his movement seem more fluid (if only because you see fewer jagged edges than you did on the PSP version.) Sure, he doesn’t look as good as he did in God of War 3, but he looks far better than he did on the PSP. There’s a strange, almost “action figure” look to him, which is a little distracting considering we basically saw a scarred and grizzled Kratos in God of War 3. However, it’s certainly much better than we thought he was going to look.

Kratos’ model, on the other hand, doesn’t look half bad. The new filters not only make his pasty white skin textures seem rather smooth, but they also make his movement seem more fluid (if only because you see fewer jagged edges than you did on the PSP version.) Sure, he doesn’t look as good as he did in God of War 3, but he looks far better than he did on the PSP. There’s a strange, almost “action figure” look to him, which is a little distracting considering we basically saw a scarred and grizzled Kratos in God of War 3. However, it’s certainly much better than we thought he was going to look.

God of War: Origins Collection Screenshot

The game will be available in full stereoscopic 3D, but honestly, not a single stereoscopic title actually impressed me this year. In fact, I’d say that the game loses something when you shift it into stereoscopic 3D. You can notice a frame rate drop when you put on those glasses. (Or maybe you can’t, but your mind kind of tricks you into seeing one anyway.) For a game like God of War that depends on fast-paced action, this seriously takes you out of the experience. You might as well skip the glasses.

Honestly, I don’t think the game gains a whole lot with 3D technology anyway. The environments are the big thing that 3D allows you to appreciate, and they aren’t all that interesting in Origin’s Collection. I’m not saying they aren’t interesting in the first place, I’m just saying they aren’t all that much more interesting than they were in the original PSP games. Textures on environmental objects look flat, if only because the developers originally needed to consider the PSP’s limitations. This isn’t something that’s going to be corrected with a few simple filters.

God of War: Origins Collection Screenshot

Still, there is a lot about Origins Collection to be excited about. The full surround sound support will probably be a treat for the ears. The trophy support is great for gamers that want to show off to their friends. DualShock rumble support is pretty much a given for any PS3 game, and heck, two games for one is always a great price. Honestly, I’m probably going to pick this up just because it includes all the DLC that has come out for Ghost of Sparta so far. I never picked it up, so now is a great time to experience it.

Still, there is a lot about Origins Collection to be excited about. The full surround sound support will probably be a treat for the ears. The trophy support is great for gamers that want to show off to their friends. DualShock rumble support is pretty much a given for any PS3 game, and heck, two games for one is always a great price. Honestly, I’m probably going to pick this up just because it includes all the DLC that has come out for Ghost of Sparta so far. I never picked it up, so now is a great time to experience it.

Game Features:

  • Two epic adventures on a single Blu-Ray Disc.
  • Remastered for HD resolution.
  • Full 3D support.
  • Full PlayStation Network Trophy support.
  • DualShock compatible.
  • Includes DLC contents from GOW Ghost of Sparta (Legionnaire Kratos & Forest of the Forgotten).
  • Video – God of War: Game Directors Live.

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