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== Characters ==
== Characters ==
{{main|List of God of War characters}}
{{main|List of God of War characters}}
* [[Terrence C. Carson|T.C. Carson]] as [[Kratos (God of War)|Kratos]]: The protagonist. Originally a Captain in [[Sparta]]'s Army, and a former servant of the gods of Olympus. Becomes the God of War after killing the Olympian [[Ares]] and eventually revealed to be a demigod himself. Kratos seeks revenge against Zeus for his betrayal by locating the Sisters of Fate.

* [[Carole Ruggier]] as [[Athena]]: The Goddess of Wisdom. Athena was Kratos' ally and mentor for many years and is forced to intervene when Kratos abandons Olympus.

* [[Linda Hunt]] as [[Gaia (mythology)|Gaia]] and Narrator: Mother of the [[Titan (mythology)|Titans]], and connected to all things of the Earth. Rescues Kratos and becomes a steadfast ally.

* [[Michael Clarke Duncan]] as [[Atlas (mythology)|Atlas]]: A four-armed Titan [[God of War: Chains of Olympus|forced to hold the world on his shoulders due to Kratos' actions]], who eventually becomes an ally. Bestows Kratos the magic, "Atlas Quake".

* [[Lloyd Sherr]] as [[Cronus|Cronos]]: A Titan and father of Zeus. Revealed to have attempted to change his destiny by offering the Sisters of Fate, the Steeds of Time. Bestows Kratos the magic, "Cronos' Rage".

* [[Alan Oppenheimer]] as [[Prometheus]]: An albeit Titan who, by Zeus' command, is rendered mortal, imprisoned and tortured daily for giving fire to man. Freed by Kratos who gains the ability, "Rage of the Titans".

* [[Fred Tatasciore]] as [[Typhon]]: A Titan imprisoned within a mountain who refuses aid to Kratos. Kratos steals his bow, "Typhon's Bane".

* [[Paul Eiding]] as [[Theseus]]: A servant of the Sisters of Fate who guards the Steeds of Time, and the first Greek heroe that Kratos encounters in a battle to determine who is the greatest warrior in all of Greece.

* [[Bob Joles]] as The Barbarian King: A former foe of Kratos who returns from the underworld seeking revenge. Kratos confiscates his "Barbarian Hammer".

* [[Keith Ferguson]] as the Boat Captain: Originally [[God of War (video game)|left to die]] by Kratos, and encountered again in the Underworld. Although summoned as a spirit by the Barbarian King to oppose Kratos, he flees in fear.

* [[Jennifer Martin]] as [[Euryale]]: A [[gorgon]] and the sister of the slain [[Medusa]], who also seeks revenge against Kratos. Kratos decapitates the gorgon, using the "Head of Euryale" as he did with Medusa.

* [[Harry Hamlin]] as [[Perseus]]: The second Greek hero Kratos encounters, and also on a quest to find the Sisters of Fate, hoping to revive his dead love.

* [[Bob Joles]] as [[Icarus]]: The son of [[Daedalus]] and now insane. Kratos steals "Icarus' Wings".

* [[Josh Keaton]] as The Last Spartan: A soldier loyal to Kratos, and also on a quest to find the Sisters of Fate, hoping to change the fate of [[Sparta]].

* [[Moirai|The Sisters of Fate]]: Three sisters who decide the fate of all beings.
:* [[Leigh-Allyn Baker]] as [[Lachesis (mythology)|Lakhesis]]: The first Sister and determined to deny Kratos his revenge.
:* [[Debi Mae West]] as [[Atropos]]: The second Sister, who tries to alter the events of [[God of War (video game)|Kratos's battle against Ares]].
:* [[Susan Silo]] as [[Clotho]]: The final Sister and keeper of the loom that decides the final fate of gods, Titans and men.

* [[Corey Burton]] as [[Zeus]]: The King of Olympus, brother to Hades and Poseidon, revealed to be Kratos' father and main antagonist. Zeus created the Blade of Olympus to win the [[Titanomachy|Great War]] against the Titans. Although initially Kratos' ally, Zeus eventually betrays Kratos due to his [[God of War (video game)|actions]].


==Marketing==
==Marketing==

Revision as of 06:01, 11 June 2012

God of War II
File:Gow2-2.jpg
North American box art, depicting Kratos, overlooking the Palace of the Fates.
Developer(s)SCE Santa Monica Studio
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
Director(s)Cory Barlog
Producer(s)Steve Caterson
Writer(s)Cory Barlog
James Barlog
Marianne Krawczyk
Composer(s)Gerard Marino
Ron Fish
Mike Reagan
Cris Velasco
SeriesGod of War
EngineKinetica (PS2)
Bluepoint Engine (God of War Collection)
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
PlayStation 3 (God of War Collection)
ReleasePlayStation 2
God of War Collection
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

God of War II is an action-adventure video game first released by Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica division for the PlayStation 2 in March 2007. It is the second installment released in the God of War series. God of War II was remastered and released in November 2009 as part of the God of War Collection for the PlayStation 3.

Loosely based on Greek mythology, God of War II is chronologically the sixth chapter in the series, and forms part of a saga with vengeance as a central theme. The game focuses on protagonist Kratos, the new God of War, who attempts to avert his betrayal by Zeus and the Olympian gods by seeking out The Sisters of Fate and changing his destiny.

Gameplay

Kratos battles the Colossus of Rhodes.

Gameplay is very similar to the original installment. The player controls the character Kratos in a combination of combat (both normal and quick-time), platforming and puzzle game elements. Many of the familiar combination attacks reappear, the game features four times as many boss fights and improved puzzles in comparison to the original.[4] Kratos' main weapons are Athena's Blades (or Blades of Athena), with other new weapons including the Barbarian Hammer, the Spear of Destiny and periodically, the Blade of Olympus. Although Kratos initially begins the game with Athena's Blades and the magic ability Poseidon's Rage at maximum, these abilities are lost after an encounter with Zeus.

There are several relics also available, including the previously acquired Poseidon's Trident, and new additions, the Amulet of the Fates, Golden Fleece and Icarus' Wings. Magic is available via "Typhon's Bane", "Cronos' Rage", "Head of Euryale" and "Atlas Quake". Kratos also acquires a special ability called Rage of the Titans, which replaces Rage of the Gods from the previous installment.

Health and Magic upgrades - Gorgon Eyes and Phoenix Feathers respectively - reappear, with six items needed for an upgrade. Rage of the Titans can also be replenished. All three upgrades are found in a chest of corresponding colour (health green; magic blue and Rage yellow) in addition to other chests (red) that provide experience yielding orbs. There are also three special chests that provide an upgrade to Health, Magic bars and experience respectively. Several urns are also hidden in the game and on completion of the Challenge mode will unlock special abilities.

The sex mini-game included in the previous installment returns (being an encounter with two hand maidens), a revised challenge mode (seven trials called "Challenge of the Titans") that unlocks the abilities in the urns found during the first playthrough and the new "Arena of the Fates" which allows players to create their own battles.

Plot

Kratos is now the God of War, having defeated the Olympian god Ares. Shunned by the other gods and still haunted by nightmares from his past, Kratos decides to join an army of Spartans in an attack on the city of Rhodes. Kratos also ignores a warning from the goddess Athena that his lust for revenge is alienating the other gods. During the battle, a giant eagle drains Kratos of his godly powers and also animates the Colossus of Rhodes. After a series of skirmishes with the statue, Kratos is offered the Blade of Olympus by Zeus- Kratos now only needing to infuse the blade with the remainder of his godly power. Although now human Kratos defeats the Colossus, he is mortally wounded in the attempt. Zeus reveals himself as the eagle, and states he is forced to intervene as Athena refuses to undo what Zeus refers to as "her mistake". Zeus then grants Kratos one final opportunity to be a loyal servant of the gods. Kratos, however, refuses and is killed by Zeus with the Blade of Olympus. Zeus then destroys the invading Spartan army.

Although Kratos is slowly dragged to the Underworld, he is saved by the Titan Gaia, Mother of Earth. Gaia explains to Kratos that he must now find the Sisters of Fate, who can change his fate and prevent his death at the hands of Zeus. With the aid of Pegasus, Kratos is first directed to find Gaia's brother Titan Typhon and enlist his aid. After an aerial battle with griffins and harpies, Kratos finds the Titan imprisoned in an arctic location under a mountain. Typhon is angered at the intrusion and imprisons Pegasus, trapping Kratos in his lair. Forced to explore, Kratos battles hordes of foes until encountering the former Titan Prometheus who was trapped in mortal form and then chained and tortured at Zeus' directive for giving the gift of fire to mankind. Prometheus begs for release from his torment, and to achieve this Kratos then finds and confronts Typhon. Kratos steals the Titan's magical bow and uses it to blind the Titan, with an angered Typhon swearing vengeance. Kratos returns to Prometheus and uses the weapon to free him, who then chooses death by fire. In the act of immolation Prometheus releases the power of the Titans, which Kratos absorbs into himself. Freeing Pegasus with the Titans' power, Kratos escapes and defeats more aerial foes until finding the Island of Creation.

Kratos then learns from Gaia that she once raised a young Zeus, who, on reaching manhood, betrayed her and waged war against all Titans for the cruelty inflicted on his siblings by his father, Cronos. After battling and defeating a number of foes, including Theseus, an undead version of his old foe the Barbarian King, the gorgon Euryale, Perseus, and Icarus (both of whom are also seeking the Sisters of Fate), Kratos encounters the imprisoned Titan Atlas. An angered Atlas initially has no time for Kratos as he was responsible for the Titan's current predicament. Kratos, however, explains his intent, and Atlas reveals that Gaia and the other Titans seek revenge on Zeus as they were punished and humiliated by the gods after their defeat in the Great War. After revealing that the Blade of Olympus is the key to Zeus' defeat, Atlas aids Kratos by helping him reach the Palace of the Fates. After evading numerous traps and defeating waves of monsters, Kratos encounters and battles an unseen foe, who is revealed to be a loyal Spartan soldier. Before dying, the soldier reveals Zeus has completed his revenge by destroying Sparta in Kratos' absence. An outraged Kratos is given even greater power by Gaia, who encourages him to continue to pursue his ultimate goal - the death of Zeus. Kratos eventually finds and frees a phoenix, riding the creature to the Sisters' stronghold. Kratos then confronts two of the three Sisters - Lakhesis and Atropos. After a series of skirmishes (including a failed attempt by the Sisters to change the outcome of Kratos' battle with Ares), Kratos kills both, and then confronts the final Sister, Clotho. After killing Clotho, Kratos uses the Loom of Fate to return to the point at which Zeus betrayed him.

Kratos surprises Zeus and seizes the Blade of Olympus, and, after a protracted battle, incapacitates Zeus. Athena intervenes and begs Kratos to stop, stating by killing Zeus, Kratos will destroy Olympus. Kratos ignores Athena's pleas and attempts to kill Zeus, but Athena sacrifices herself and is impaled by the Blade of Olympus. Before dying, Athena reveals Kratos is Zeus' son, and that Zeus was afraid that Kratos would usurp him, as he himself did to Cronos. Kratos declares the time of the gods is at an end, and travels back in time, rescuing the Titans just prior to their defeat in the Great War. Kratos then brings the Titans to the present, where the gods watch as their former foes climb Mount Olympus. Standing on the back of Gaia and wielding the Blade of Olympus, Kratos tells Zeus he has brought the destruction of Olympus.

Characters

Main article: List of God of War characters
  • T.C. Carson as Kratos: The protagonist. Originally a Captain in Sparta's Army, and a former servant of the gods of Olympus. Becomes the God of War after killing the Olympian Ares and eventually revealed to be a demigod himself. Kratos seeks revenge against Zeus for his betrayal by locating the Sisters of Fate.
  • Carole Ruggier as Athena: The Goddess of Wisdom. Athena was Kratos' ally and mentor for many years and is forced to intervene when Kratos abandons Olympus.
  • Linda Hunt as Gaia and Narrator: Mother of the Titans, and connected to all things of the Earth. Rescues Kratos and becomes a steadfast ally.
  • Lloyd Sherr as Cronos: A Titan and father of Zeus. Revealed to have attempted to change his destiny by offering the Sisters of Fate, the Steeds of Time. Bestows Kratos the magic, "Cronos' Rage".
  • Alan Oppenheimer as Prometheus: An albeit Titan who, by Zeus' command, is rendered mortal, imprisoned and tortured daily for giving fire to man. Freed by Kratos who gains the ability, "Rage of the Titans".
  • Fred Tatasciore as Typhon: A Titan imprisoned within a mountain who refuses aid to Kratos. Kratos steals his bow, "Typhon's Bane".
  • Paul Eiding as Theseus: A servant of the Sisters of Fate who guards the Steeds of Time, and the first Greek heroe that Kratos encounters in a battle to determine who is the greatest warrior in all of Greece.
  • Bob Joles as The Barbarian King: A former foe of Kratos who returns from the underworld seeking revenge. Kratos confiscates his "Barbarian Hammer".
  • Keith Ferguson as the Boat Captain: Originally left to die by Kratos, and encountered again in the Underworld. Although summoned as a spirit by the Barbarian King to oppose Kratos, he flees in fear.
  • Jennifer Martin as Euryale: A gorgon and the sister of the slain Medusa, who also seeks revenge against Kratos. Kratos decapitates the gorgon, using the "Head of Euryale" as he did with Medusa.
  • Harry Hamlin as Perseus: The second Greek hero Kratos encounters, and also on a quest to find the Sisters of Fate, hoping to revive his dead love.
  • Josh Keaton as The Last Spartan: A soldier loyal to Kratos, and also on a quest to find the Sisters of Fate, hoping to change the fate of Sparta.
  • Corey Burton as Zeus: The King of Olympus, brother to Hades and Poseidon, revealed to be Kratos' father and main antagonist. Zeus created the Blade of Olympus to win the Great War against the Titans. Although initially Kratos' ally, Zeus eventually betrays Kratos due to his actions.

Marketing

On March 1, 2007 Sony held a media event - featuring scantily clad women and a dead goat[5] in Athens as part of the game's marketing campaign.[6]

In April 2007, the Daily Mail learned of the event from the UK Official PlayStation Magazine and condemned it as a "depraved promotion stunt" with a possible boycott of Sony products as a result.[7] Sony responded by stating the event had been sensationalized based on hyperbole and the article contained several inaccuracies, but also apologized.[5][6]

Release

The game was released in North America on March 13, 2007, in Europe on April 27, 2007,[8] and May 3, 2007 in Australia.[8]

The North American version of God of War II is packaged in a two-disc set. The first disc contains the game, and the second disc is dedicated to the game's development, including a diary of the game's production.[9] The European/Australian PAL version was released as two different editions: a single disc standard edition and a two disc "Special Edition" with different box art and a bonus DVD.

Both God of War II and the original God of War, were released in North America on November 17, 2009 as part of the God of War Collection, featuring remastered ports of both games to PlayStation 3 hardware with up-scaled graphics and support for PlayStation Trophies.[10] The collection was released in Japan on March 18, 2010, Australia on April 29, 2010 and the UK on April 30, 2010.[11] The "God of War II Bonus Materials" on the second disc of the original two-disc PS2 version is included with the collection (available under Video when disc is in PS3 system). The bonus materials, however, are not included in the digital download version.[12]

On November 2, 2010, God of War Collection - containing both God of War and God of War II - was released as a digital download on the PlayStation Store (the first product containing PS2 material to be available via download).[12] PlayStation Plus subscribers may also download a one hour trial of each game and for a limited time could receive a God of War III skin with the purchase of each game: "Phantom of Chaos" (God of War) and "Forgotten Warrior" (God of War II) respectively.[13]

Soundtrack

On April 10, 2007, God of War II: Original Soundtrack from the Video Game - composed by Gerard K. Marino, Ron Fish, Mike Reagan and Cris Velasco - was released on CD (66 minutes and 41 seconds in length) by SCEI.

Track listing
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Main Titles"Marino2:59
2."The Glory of Sparta"Reagan3:10
3."The Way of the Gods"Marino2:13
4."Colossus of Rhodes"Marino2:22
5."The Bathhouse"Reagan2:02
6."Death of Kratos"Marino4:12
7."The End Begins"Marino1:57
8."Typhon Mountain"Reagan3:14
9."Waking the Sleeping Giant"Velasco1:49
10."Battle for the Skies"Reagan2:12
11."Exploring the Isle"Marino2:19
12."The Isle of Creation"Velasco3:20
13."The Summit of Sacrifice"Fish2:35
14."An Audience with Cronos"Fish2:07
15."The Barbarian King Returns"Velasco2:00
16."Bog of Lost Souls"Fish2:19
17."Battle in the Bog"Reagan2:00
18."Crossing the Lowlands"Marino2:07
19."Atlas"Fish3:37
20."Palace of the Fates"Fish2:46
21."Phoenix Rising"Velasco2:16
22."Ashen Spire"Marino1:06
23."Athena"Marino0:56
24."The Battle for Olympus"Marino3:11
25."Junkie XL Colossus Remix"Junkie XL4:24
26."Blood of Destiny"Shadows Fall2:43
27."God-Like"George "Tragic" Doman2:14
28."Atlas Remembers" (Bonus Track)Marino4:11
29."Kratos and Atropos" (Bonus Track)Fish1:33
30."Pursuing Destiny" (Bonus Track)Velasco3:36
31."Theme Of Fates" (Bonus Track)Marino2:11

Reception

On release God of War II received universal critical and commercial acclaim, regarded as one of the best PlayStation 2 games[19][20] and action games of all time.[4]

In 2007, IGN listed God of War II at number two on the "top 25 PS2 Games of All Time" list - five ahead of its predecessor.[21]

In North America, the game sold 833,209 copies by the end of March 2007, twice as many copies as the next-best selling game.[22] God of War II attained the highest selling rank in the UK in the first week of release.[23] The game sold over one million copies in the first three months after release,[24] and went on to sell more than 4.2 million by June 2012,[25] and more than 2.4 million as part of the God of War Collection.[25] On March 13, 2008, God of War II joined Sony's "Greatest Hits" list.

IGN and GameSpot consider God of War II to be the swan song of the PlayStation 2 era.[4][26]

References

  1. ^ Hight, John (2009-11-17). "God of War Collection Launches Today for PS3!". Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
  2. ^ Thach Quach (November 17, 2009). "God of War III: Ultimate Trilogy Edition". PlayStation Blog Europe. Retrieved December 28, 2009.
  3. ^ Kotaku - Isle of Rhodes Site Unlocks GoW 2 HD Mode, New Countdown
  4. ^ a b c "IGN: God of War II Review". IGN PlayStation 2. Retrieved 2007-03-12.
  5. ^ a b "Sony 'Goat' Ad Sparks Outrage". Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  6. ^ a b Statement from Sony
  7. ^ Owen, Glen; Phillips, Rhodri (2007-05-01). "Horror at Sony's depraved promotion stunt with decapitated goat". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  8. ^ a b "IGN: God of War II". IGN PlayStation 2. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
  9. ^ Roper, Chris (2007-02-12). "IGN: God of War II Review". IGN PlayStation 2. pp. 3 of 3. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
  10. ^ Caiazzo, Anthony (2009-08-31). "God of War Collection – Blu-ray Disc Compilation Available This Holiday Season!". Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
  11. ^ "God of War Collection Australia".
  12. ^ a b Caiazzo, Anthony (2010-10-20). "God of War: Collection on the PlayStation Store 11/2". SCEA. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  13. ^ Chen, Grace (2010-10-20). "Coming to PlayStation Plus: God of War I and II and a Free Download of BreakQuest". SCEA. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  14. ^ Leone, Matt (2007-02-11). "God of War II Review from 1up.com". UGO Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  15. ^ God of War II PlayStation 2 Review - GameSpot
  16. ^ God of War II Review - PlayStation 2 Review at IGN
  17. ^ "God of War II". Meta Critic. Retrieved 2007-05-01.
  18. ^ "God of War II Review". Game Rankings. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
  19. ^ "God of War II Review - PlayStation 2". GameZone. Retrieved 2007-03-12.
  20. ^ "GameTrailers.com - God of War II (PlayStation 2)". GameTrailers.com. Retrieved 2007-03-12.
  21. ^ "The Top 25 PS2 Games of All Time". IGN. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
  22. ^ "IGN: NPD: Kratos is God of March". IGN Playstation 2. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
  23. ^ "gamesindustry.biz: UK charts: God of War II takes top spot". gamesindustry.biz. Retrieved 2007-05-13.
  24. ^ "Sony Computer Entertainment America to Unleash Kratos in Limited-Edition God of War PSP Entertainment Pack" (Press release). Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. 2008-02-26. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  25. ^ a b "God of War series has sold over 21 million copies • News • PlayStation 3 • Eurogamer.net". Eurogamer. 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2012-06-05.
  26. ^ "GameSpot: God of War II Review". GameSpot PlayStation 2. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
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