So I just noticed Gamespot's Ascension review, gave it an 8.0, and praised the campaign while noting the multiplayer is lackluster. 'Bout to watch its video review now.

Also, here's a 9/10 Destructoid review; on the look out for any more. Have to admit, I'm surprised at the amount of positivity that's brewing around this.

Edge Review: 7/10.

Polygon Review: 7/10.

As long as the campaign is being praised then that's all I care about. Ain't touching the multiplayer.

As expected, it's a very well made game with everything people associate with God of War warts and all ect. I've still currently had my fill and them some of God of War, but I'll be probably giving it a spin sometime during this year no doubt.

Adam Sessler also released his video review for Rev3Games:

While I don't feel as strong as he does about the "trophy" naming, I applaud the man for actually speaking his mind with reasoned logic. It actually makes a review worth listening to/reading.

They are? New God of War is coming out next week? I thought it was much later in the year.

Hahahahaha... I can already envision a lot of complaints are going to crop up about that trophy. Yeah, that was... oh boy.

Anywhoo I can definitely relate to Adam's complaint about the scale distorting the actual gameplay, as I felt the same thing just by playing the demo. I'm also surprised that they've opted to just cut out secondary weapons altogether and have instead increased Kratos' blades moveset. It's kinda clever actually since you always use the blades and nothing but anyway, so good on them for that.

edit: Sessler framed the multiplayer to look surprisingly fun too, if chaotic. Basically an even more violent and brutal Anarchy Reigns.

Sony's marketing wins again!

There were plenty of trailers, it's just barely anybody on GB really cared or paid much attention. They put up a super bowl trailer or something after all.

@yummylee: Polygon gave the game a 7 praising (for the lack) the multiplayer and damning (of better words) the singleplayer. They brought up that Bros before Hoes trophy to saying it's bad, bla bla bla. I understand why people would be mad but I don't really care for it. But that's a whole other topic. I'm guessing the game will be getting mostly 7-8's across the board.

Anyways, I'm not excited for the game but I always like me some new games. Can't wait to pick up my CE on Tuesday.

Pretty much. Hopefully Judgment will receive a similar level of reception too.

I must admit, though I don't care for GoW anymore, I might be checking this out later this year.

Actually nevermind, if there's a trophy called "bros before hoes" the game is ruined for me...

But seriously, I might pick it up when there's a sale or something. The trophy name is gonna get a lot of hate, though.

Probably will. By this point, both the games are really unnecessary and no one besides hardcore fans are really excited. I'm expecting most reviews to just shrug, say it's more of the same and give it an 8 tops just because they look great, play great and have some fine multiplayer.

If a name of a trophy sours an entire game for you then you've got issues son. I usually respect Sessler but I dunno man sometimes.....

@awesomeusername: They're undoubtedly two of the safest games to be released this year in any case; they exist purely as a means to capitalise on the large number of PS3 & 360s out there before next-gen. Still, Ascension is at least is far from a quick cash grab, even if it's lacking in creativity.

Had no idea it was coming out soon. I dont watch much TV though so I guess it's my fault. After wtaching the Sessler review it certainly looks nice but I have never been able to get into the god of war games. Oh man I am so not looking forward to the internet drama that that trophy name is sure to create. I predict 3 or 4 articles from Patrick about it in the next couple weeks.

I feel like I have no idea what this game actually is. Is the campaign a traditional GoW game? I thought the whole game was just Power Stone.

It didn't sour the entire game for him, it was just something he thought was egregious enough to point out. Besides while it wouldn't have made me just drop my pad on the floor and turn the console off out of disgust or something, I can definitely see why someone may (and will... and has... and.. well, y'know) be offended by it. It's pretty crass and unnecessary, even for a series like God of War. As said earlier, I imagine this will possibly be making a few headlines down the road.

So what's the what with the trophy?

You couldn't have read or watched any of the reviews already linked in here? Yes, it's a traditional GoW game, just now with some goofy multiplayer brawler add-on.

Goddamnit, why can't we edit our posts to reply to multiple users??... Anywhoo just watch the Sessler review above.

Too short.

Will buy for 20 bucks on Amazon.

Yeeeeeesh. That trophy is pretty gross. Other than that really dumb thing, the game looks pretty okay.

why? Leaving aside the misogyny of it... That'd sour me on it because if they think so little of their story that they have to make terrible fratboy jokes about it, then why would I care about it?

Man, do I have to? Okay.

Whhaat! It's just because it's called "Bros before hos"? Dude, even Dr. House said that at some point.

I love Adam. ~ The game seems all sorts of hmm... My friend would wanna see it, though.

@animasta said:

Aside from the misogynistic tint I don't see why this game is getting called out for it. PLENTY of games have stupid-ass groan worthy achievement names. I just don't see where the discussion value in it is. Sure its something that when it pops up you'd probably shake your head and think to yourself that its stupid but again if your going to discount the entire game or story because of it that is just straight up dumb.

Also, if you're playing a game with achievements pop-ups, doesn't that mean you're not that really immersed in the story in the first place?

@winternet: I dunno about that cause I don't think there is even a way to disable that on the PS3.

oh yaaa, once footage of said thing makes the rounds its will potentially cause a big shitstorm.

@demoskinos: Really? That's odd. That can't be right.

your totally right, its super dumb , but once footage of that fight and that trophy makes the rounds, it seems very poised to cause a big shitstorm,

Saw the Sessler review earlier and I agree, the trophy name is kind of stupid, but at the same time, it seems like other games have make dumb achievements before so I guess Ascension isn't alone.

The game seems alright.

He is right.

Man, the PS3 sucks. Although if you're playing without it being connected to the Internet, the trophies are disabled, right?

How have I not heard of this game until this very moment? My own obliviousness is impressive.

But hey, another God of War. Cool? Who am I kidding, I won't play it.

name one that wants me to take it's story seriously.

portal doesn't count

Nope.

Nice review by Sessler. I'm basically done with the series but the game looks great but I did groan when he showed that achievement. Really guys? So stupid.

I think it's because it's named that after Kratos savagely beats down a woman with his fists like he did Poseidon or Helios or whatever. Did House do that too? Haha.

Eh....I'll wait this one out. I wasn't exactly blown away by the demo nor the beta.

Nope. Some people may not like trophies/achievements popping up while playing a game but some do. That doesn't make the PS3 "suck". Unless you're just saying that because you're annoyed by the lack of that feature.

You know what, I played the demo and sort of don't care if it's more of the same, I could use some God of War.

What a game with stupid trophy names that wants to be taken seriously?

@awesomeusername: well, it sucks that it doesn't have the ability to not pop-up while you're playing.

@wrighteous86: He probably did. From what I understand, if the trophy was called "I love pancakes" no one would have a problem with it, so the naming seems to be the crux of the problem.

@laserbolts: Well, it's like watching a movie and checking your phone for messages. But, that's my opinion.

@demoskinos: yes

@animasta: Okay... well... we can start off with this one from Walking Dead which was one of the most lauded games for its story. Sure, it isn't tinted in a mysognistic or "bro-ish" tone but you just had this incredibly tense confrontation with a woman over killing her father and then this pops up....

http://www.ps3trophies.org/game/the-walking-dead/trophy/47403-Too-Much-Salt-Will-Kill-You.html

The trophy name shows no class. The single player looks boring. I have no interest in multiplayer. No thanks.

Wait, isn't it kinda worrying that a game touted for its multiplayer isn't reviewing well in terms of said multiplayer? Or am I way off base with this?

@demoskinos: that's directly relating to the game though, in that it's very dark humor. it is at least in spirit with the game, whereas bros before hos is not.