A few months back, I picked up the God of War collection. I played through both GOW games in the collection one time each, having played through them originally on the PS2. Both games were a pleasant surprise, and I think, a nice package and a good way to bring them to all PS3 users. The combat, though somewhat cliched and dated at this point, holds up for what it is, the puzzles are interesting, and the update to HD keeps the graphics looking decent. However, after blowing through both of them, I wasn't sure I wanted another.
 
I borrowed GOW3 from my friend the other day, as I wasn't sure I wanted to plunk down the cash for it, and after playing it, I think I made the right choice. From the beginning, the game lays out some of the best graphics I've ever seen, the same tried-and-true combat, and a fun puzzle or two. The story is laughable as always, the violence remains over the top, and yes (13-year-old who convinced his mom to buy this game), you do get a sex mini-game. One thing that this game does have that is original- scale. Lots and lots of really big stuff. And it's used very well.
 
The elements are there for a great game, the problem is they don't quite click anymore for me. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure GOW3 can and will be enjoyed by many. For me, it's a little ho-hum, for a few reasons:  
 
1. I don't really need to develop anything more than basic button-mashing. A few sections gave me some issues, but overall it's easy enough to breeze through without really digging into the combat. 
2. The script has somehow gotten even worse than before. Not even the silly plot, but how the characters talk. It really takes me out of the experience. 
3. The platforming, bad in the previous games, stays terrible. You just can't make a massive budget game like this and let it out the door with platforming this bad. I've died countless times because of the odd timing on the jumps and the game letting me know where I can jump to.
4. Polish. Never before have I had such a tough time walking up to a chest or a save point and activating it. I even fell through the geometry at one point. Clearly, GOW games are held to a higher standard, but having set the bar so high in the past, they really needed to keep the standards up. 
 
Overall, I'll play through it once and get some fun out of it, but I doubt I'll be going back- at least until they release a super-HD 3D version for the PS4. 
 
 
In closing- For all your faults, Rip Torn, this gamer would like to shake your hand and buy you a drink. But don't drive after that. Seriously.