Pre-E3 06: God of War II gameplay impressions

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PS2: The legend gets even bloodier in our first look at the game in real time

When God of War II was first announced for the PlayStation 2 last March, it immediately leaped to the top of many players' most wanted lists. After all, the first game was a gory, mythologically-inspired masterpiece of flesh-rending, blood-spurting, gore-filled action. And one look at the trailer for the also-on-PS2 sequel was enough to convince even the most skeptical gamer that the second go-round between anti-hero Kratos and the entire mythological world was going to be bigger and better.

A short time later after seeing part of an actual in-game level, we're more convinced than ever. The demo starts a short way into the game. We don't know why Kratos, who literally became a god at the end of the first game, is now mortal again. We do know that he has sworn violent revenge upon whomever is responsible, so it's about to hit the fan. Thus, Kratos is riding a flame-winged Pegasus through the sky, pursuing a goblin-like creature riding what appears to be a gryphon.

The action then cuts to a swampy area (presumably where Kratos has landed), dominated by skeletal enemies and a stone temple. On its door is a carved image of a medusa head, complete with eyebeams that will turn Kratos to stone if he gets too close. He needs another way in. There's an item around the right side of the temple, but it's across a bubbling brown lake. On the nearer side, there's a risen platform that could help Kratos, if he could get to it.

Eric Bratcher
Eric Bratcher
I was the founding Executive Editor/Editor in Chief here at GR, charged with making sure we published great stories every day without burning down the building or getting sued. Which isn't nearly as easy as you might imagine. I don't work for GR any longer, but I still come here - why wouldn't I? It's awesome. I'm a fairly average person who has nursed an above average love of video games since I first played Pong just over 30 years ago. I entered the games journalism world as a freelancer and have since been on staff at the magazines Next Generation and PSM before coming over to GamesRadar. Outside of gaming, I also love music (especially classic metal and hard rock), my lovely wife, my pet pig Bacon, Japanese monster movies, and my dented, now dearly departed '89 Ranger pickup truck. I pray sincerely. I cheer for the Bears, Bulls, and White Sox. And behind Tyler Nagata, I am probably the GR staffer least likely to get arrested... again.