Sony says God of War III will be the 'last installment' in series

10:43 AM on 12.15.2008   |   Nick Chester

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God of War III is coming out on the PlayStation 3 next year, and that's no surprise. And after seeing the trailer that premiered at last night's Spike VGAs, the game doesn't look surprising, either ... but that's not a bad thing. 

If we're to assume the trailer is what the game will look like in action, God of War fans should be excited to see Kratos hacking up beasts and running across walls in high definition. Sony says the game will be "four times larger than its predecessor," will have "texture resolutions being quadrupled since God of War 2," and dynamic lighting effects. 

So it's going to be prettier, but what about the gameplay? Honestly, it sounds like more of the same, with the key word here being "more." The title will feature a "robust weapon system" and "world-changing scenarios," although we're unsure what that means, exactly. And possibly to put any rumors of multiplayer to rest, Sony is very specific in its press release, calling God of War III a "single-player game."

It's also interesting to note that Sony is saying that God of War III will be the "last installment" of the series. While word has always been that the franchise would be a trilogy, I find it a bit difficult to come to terms with this "last installment" business. When was the last time anyone wrapped up multi-million-unit franchise with a neat little bow, never to return?

As a fan of the series, I don't expect much more than a full graphical overhaul and just more of the same on a larger scale. I think it would take more effort on Sony's part to disappoint me than it would to simply make me happy. But is that enough for you, or do you feel Sony needs to bring game- and series-changing elements to God of War III to make it worth your time?

Myth Becomes Reality: Award-Winning Franchise Makes Debut on PLAYSTATION(R)3 With God of War(R)3

Game Serves As Epic Conclusion to Multi-Million Unit Franchise With

State-of-the-Art Visuals and Groundbreaking Depth of Scale Four Times Larger Than Its Predecessor

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced today, the unveil of God of War(R)3 -- the last installment of the multi-million unit franchise -- exclusively on the PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) system.  The first game-play trailer was unveiled last night at the Spike TV Video Game Awards in Los Angeles, showcasing the game's beautiful cinematography and its groundbreaking depth of scale that is four times larger than its predecessor on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, God of War(R)2.  Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment's, Santa Monica Studios, God of War 3 will bring epic battles to life with stunning graphics and an elaborate plot that puts Kratos at the center of the carnage and destruction as he seeks revenge against the Gods who have betrayed him.

"We have large shoes to fill following the success of the previously released God of War titles," said Stig Asmussen, Game Director for God of War 3.  "But with refined gameplay and jaw-dropping visuals, I guarantee that God of War will give fans what they have been eagerly waiting for, and much more."

Set in the realm of Greek mythology, God of War 3 is a single-player game that allows players to take on the climatic role of the ex-Spartan warrior, Kratos, as he treads through the intimidating heights of Mt. Olympus and the dark depths of Hell once more to seek revenge on those who have betrayed him.  Armed with double-chained blades, Kratos must take on mythology's darkest creatures while solving intricate puzzles throughout his merciless quest to destroy Olympus.

Utilizing a new game engine built from the ground up and state-of-the-art visual technologies, the development team behind God of War 3 have made significant strides in giving players the realistic feel of actually being on the battlegrounds.   With texture resolutions being quadrupled since God of War 2, God of War 3 will feature fluid, life-like characters, as well as dynamic lighting effects, a robust weapon system, and world-changing scenarios that will truly bring unmistakable realism to Kratos' fateful quest.  Players will have a chance to join battles on a grand scale with many more enemies on-screen and be able to interact with levels like never before.

Previous God of War releases have set the bar for the action-adventure genre and been acknowledged by some of the videogame industry's key publications, which include Playstation: The Official Magazine (Editor's Choice Award), Game Informer (Action/Adventure Game of the Year and Handheld Game of the Month Award), GamePro (Editor's Choice Award), Electronic Gaming Monthly (Best PS2 Game), IGN.com (Editor's Choice Award and Game of the Year Award), and four nominations in the Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, including Overall Game of the Year and Console Game of the Year.  The franchise has also been awarded with several honors including several E3 Best of Game Awards (given by several online publications), numerous Game of the Year and Best Action Game Awards (given at Spike TV's Video Game Awards, Golden Joystick Awards, PSX Extreme Awards and the 3rd Annual G-Phoria Awards, and by PAX, GameZone, GameDaily, GameSpot), to name just a few.