Throughout the game, you'll find a huge amount of treasure chests you shouldn't miss. Some give you health and magic to fill up the meter, and others will contain the famous red orbs, which you'll use to upgrade your weapons and powers when they add up. Killing enemies also gives you plenty of red orbs, but missing treasure chests will translate into less power, and therefore, less fun. Some of those containers are especially important, as they carry Gorgon Eyes and Phoenix Feathers. Every time you collect five of one kind, the health or magic gauge will increase. If you can't handle missing out on the goods, you better make sure and explore every corner, because they are everywhere. Sometimes you'll have to break a wall, other times you'll have to open a hidden door, climb on top of a ledge, etc.

The game has a good amount of storytelling, as always wrapped up with plenty of action. The cutscenes are phenomenal. Even though they seem to be missing a bit of depth and sharpness when displayed on the small PSP screen, the overall result is impressive. In some occasions, Kratos will look teeny weenie and not as imposing as when his warrior torso takes up the whole screen. However, even when he's that small, the gameplay remains unharmed. Those who own a slim PSP can go bigger by connecting it to the TV, although you may not find the visuals as attractive if you do so. The incredible mythological environments, the amount of on-screen creatures, the lighting, the textures, and the non-stop combat moves make GOW: Chains of Olympus one of the best-looking games on Sony's handheld device, with very short loading times and barely any frame rate issues. It's true that the game doesn't look quite as detailed as the PS2 installments, but you couldn't ask for much more than what this game has to offer. Also, this game has something others don't have on the PSP, which is the great cinematics. Whether it's a cutscene or during combat, the camera work is artistic and immersing.

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Equally immersing are the voices of veteran God of War voice actors T.C. Carson (Kratos) and Linda Hunt (Narrator). I couldn't imagine the game without them. They truly do a great job and put the stamp of authenticity on the game. If you add that to the always-welcomed God of War music, with its legendary drumbeats, mythological and ethnical feel, you got an A+ soundtrack. Needless to say, the sound effects also carry the signature of the God of War franchise and are just perfect.

In conclusion, know that God of War: Chains of Olympus is definitely a must-buy game for all current fans; for those who haven't had the chance to play it yet, this game presents a great opportunity to do so. If you like the action / adventure genre, enjoy mythology, and can't wait to become a badass ancient warrior, what are you waiting for? This prequel has everything you've come to expect from God of War, just in a little disc and on a smaller screen. Have a blast!

By Maria Montoro
CCC Site Director