Developer: Ready at Dawn

God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

God of War: Chains of Olympus – A PSP Masterpiece

Introduction

God of War: Chains of Olympus is a 2008 action-adventure game developed by Ready at Dawn Studios and SCE Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable. It is the third installment in the God of War series, and a prequel to the original God of War. The game follows Kratos, a Spartan warrior who serves the gods of Olympus, as he travels to the city of Attica to stop the Persian army from invading Greece.

Gameplay

Chains of Olympus retains the familiar gameplay dynamics of its predecessors, with a focus on fast-paced combat, platforming, and puzzle-solving. Kratos wields his iconic Blades of Chaos, which can be used to perform a variety of attacks and combos. He can also acquire new weapons and abilities throughout the game, such as the Sun Shield, Efreet spell, and Light of Dawn.

The game’s controls have been refined to work with the PSP’s reduced button configuration. Dodging, for instance, now requires the use of both shoulder buttons and the analog stick. The game also features a number of quick-time events, which require the player to press specific buttons at the right time to perform special attacks or avoid damage.

Story

Chains of Olympus serves as a prequel to the original God of War, and its story takes place a decade before the events of that game. The game begins with Kratos being dispatched by the gods to the city of Attica to defend against an invading Persian army. However, as Morpheus, the god of dreams, unleashes chaos upon the world, Kratos finds himself compelled to harness his formidable powers to once again rescue the world from impending doom.

Setting

The game takes place in a variety of locations, including the city of Attica, the Underworld, and the Temple of Pandora. Each location is meticulously crafted and features its own unique enemies and challenges. The game’s art style is a blend of Greek mythology and dark fantasy, with a heavy emphasis on gore and violence.

Characters

Kratos is the protagonist of the game, and he is joined by a number of other characters, including Athena, the goddess of war; Helios, the god of the sun; and Persephone, the goddess of the underworld. Each character has their own unique motivations and goals, and they play a vital role in the game’s story.

Reception

God of War: Chains of Olympus was a critical and commercial success. The game received widespread praise for its stunning visuals, tight controls, and engaging story. It was also a commercial success, selling over four million copies worldwide.

Legacy

Chains of Olympus is considered to be one of the best PSP games ever made. It is a testament to the power of the PSP and the God of War franchise. The game’s success helped to pave the way for future God of War games, including the critically acclaimed God of War (2018).

Conclusion

God of War: Chains of Olympus is a masterpiece of the PSP era. It is a thrilling action-adventure game with a compelling story, stunning visuals, and tight controls. If you are a fan of the God of War series, or if you are simply looking for a great PSP game to play, then I highly recommend checking out Chains of Olympus.

Review Score

9/10

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Daxter (2006)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Daxter (2006): A Furry Little Adventure

Daxter is a 2006 action-adventure platformer game developed by Ready at Dawn Studios and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. The game is a spin-off of the Jak and Daxter series, and follows the titular Daxter as he searches for his friend Jak, who was imprisoned during the events that led to the start of “Jak II.”

Daxter is a small, orange ottsel, a fictional creature that is a cross between an otter and a weasel. He is known for his agility and his wisecracking personality. In Daxter, players control Daxter as he explores Haven City, a sprawling metropolis that is under attack by metal bugs. Daxter must use his agility and a variety of gadgets to fight the metal bugs and solve puzzles in order to find Jak.

The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, charming characters, and beautiful graphics. It was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.

Gameplay

Daxter is a 3D platformer game. Players control Daxter as he explores Haven City, a large and varied environment. Daxter can jump, climb, and swim, and he can also use a variety of gadgets to help him overcome obstacles and defeat enemies.

Daxter’s main weapon is his bug swatter. He can use it to swat away metal bugs, or he can charge it up for a more powerful attack. Daxter can also use a variety of other gadgets, such as a spray gun, a jetpack, and a grappling hook.

The game features a variety of puzzles that Daxter must solve in order to progress. These puzzles range from simple environmental puzzles to more complex logic puzzles. Daxter must also use his agility to navigate through the game’s many platforming challenges.

Story

The story of Daxter takes place after the events of Jak II. Daxter has been separated from Jak, and he is now on his own in Haven City. Daxter quickly learns that the city is under attack by metal bugs, and he decides to help the citizens fight back.

Daxter takes on a job as a pest exterminator, and he quickly becomes one of the city’s top bug hunters. As he fights his way through the city, Daxter collects clues about Jak’s whereabouts. He eventually learns that Jak is being held prisoner by Baron Praxis, the tyrannical ruler of Haven City.

Daxter sets out to rescue Jak, and he eventually succeeds in defeating Praxis and freeing his friend. The game ends with Daxter and Jak reunited, and the city of Haven City safe from the metal bugs.

Characters

  • Daxter: The protagonist of the game. Daxter is a small, orange ottsel who is known for his agility and his wisecracking personality.
  • Jak: Daxter’s best friend. Jak is a human who was imprisoned by Baron Praxis.
  • Baron Praxis: The tyrannical ruler of Haven City. Praxis is a cruel and ruthless dictator who has enslaved the city’s inhabitants.
  • Tess: A female ottsel who is a member of the Freedom League, a rebel group that is fighting against Praxis.
  • Osmo: A giant metal bug who is the leader of the metal bug invasion.

Reception

Daxter received positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, charming characters, and beautiful graphics. It was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.

Legacy

Daxter is considered to be one of the best PlayStation 2 games. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, charming characters, and beautiful graphics. It is also considered to be one of the best spin-offs in video game history.

Daxter has been re-released several times, including on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 4. The game is also available on the PlayStation Now streaming service.

Review Score

8.5/10

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The Order: 1886 (2015)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

The Order: 1886 – A Steampunk Masterpiece with a Tarnished Legacy

Released in 2015, The Order: 1886 is a third-person action-adventure game developed by Ready at Dawn and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Set in an alternate Victorian-era London, the game follows the story of Galahad, a knight of the Order, an elite organization that protects the city from a half-breed race of creatures known as Lycans.

A Unique and Immersive Setting

One of the most striking aspects of The Order: 1886 is its unique and immersive setting. The game presents a steampunk vision of Victorian-era London, where advanced technology coexists with the trappings of the 19th century. From the steam-powered airships that patrol the skies to the intricate clockwork mechanisms that power the city’s infrastructure, The Order: 1886 creates a believable and visually stunning world.

The game’s attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the environment. The cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and horse-drawn carriages all contribute to the sense of authenticity. The game also features a number of iconic London landmarks, such as the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, which have been reimagined in the steampunk style.

A Compelling Story with Intriguing Characters

The story of The Order: 1886 is well-written and engaging, with a cast of memorable characters. Galahad, the game’s protagonist, is a complex and sympathetic character, torn between his duty to the Order and his desire to protect the woman he loves. The supporting cast, including Isabeau D’Argyll, a brilliant inventor, and Sebastian Mallory, a grizzled veteran of the Order, are equally well-developed and add depth to the narrative.

The game’s plot is full of twists and turns, and it keeps players guessing until the very end. The conflict between the Order and the Lycans is explored in detail, and the game raises some interesting questions about the nature of humanity and the cost of war.

Innovative Gameplay Mechanics

The Order: 1886 features a variety of innovative gameplay mechanics that set it apart from other third-person action games. The game’s cover system is particularly well-implemented, allowing players to take cover behind objects and lean out to fire at enemies. The game also features a unique “Blacksight” ability, which allows players to slow down time and tag enemies for automatic targeting.

The game’s combat is fast-paced and visceral, and players have a variety of weapons at their disposal, including firearms, melee weapons, and gadgets. The game also features a number of set-piece action sequences that are truly breathtaking to behold.

Stunning Visuals and Sound Design

The Order: 1886 is one of the most visually stunning games of its generation. The game’s graphics are incredibly detailed, and the character models are some of the most realistic ever seen in a video game. The game’s environments are equally impressive, and the game’s lighting effects are top-notch.

The game’s sound design is also excellent. The voice acting is top-notch, and the game’s soundtrack is both atmospheric and adrenaline-pumping. The game’s sound effects are also very realistic, and they help to create a truly immersive experience.

A Tarnished Legacy

Despite its many strengths, The Order: 1886 has a somewhat tarnished legacy. The game was criticized for its short length, repetitive gameplay, and lack of replayability. The game’s technical problems, including frame rate drops and glitches, also marred the experience for many players.

The game’s critical reception was mixed, with some reviewers praising its visuals, story, and characters, while others criticized its gameplay and technical issues. The game was also a commercial disappointment, failing to meet sales expectations.

Conclusion

The Order: 1886 is a visually stunning and immersive action-adventure game with a compelling story and interesting characters. However, the game’s short length, repetitive gameplay, and technical problems prevent it from reaching its full potential. Despite its flaws, The Order: 1886 is still a worthwhile experience for fans of steampunk and action-adventure games.

Review Score

7.5/10

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De-formers (2017)

by Nish
written by Nish 4 minutes read

Summary

De-formers: A Chaotic and Competitive Arena Brawler

Prepare yourself for an epic battle in De-formers, a fast and frantic third-person smash ’em arena game where the goal is to out-battle, out-eat, and out-score your opponents. With its physics-based gameplay and colorful cast of characters, De-formers is a chaotic and competitive multiplayer experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Gameplay

De-formers is a physics-based arena brawler where players compete in teams or free-for-alls to score points and become the King of the Arena. Players control one of a variety of different characters, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles.

The gameplay is fast and frantic, with players constantly smashing into each other, eating power-ups, and using their abilities to gain an advantage. The goal is to score as many points as possible by defeating opponents, capturing points, and eating power-ups.

Characters

De-formers features a colorful cast of characters to choose from, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles. Some of the characters include:

  • Red – A strong and durable fighter with a powerful charge attack.
  • Blue – A fast and agile fighter with a grappling hook.
  • Green – A ranged fighter with a variety of projectile attacks.
  • Yellow – A support fighter with healing and buffing abilities.

Modes

De-formers features a variety of different game modes to keep things fresh. These modes include:

  • Deathmatch – A free-for-all mode where the goal is to score the most kills.
  • Team Deathmatch – A team-based mode where the goal is to score the most kills as a team.
  • King of the Hill – A mode where the goal is to capture and hold a central point for as long as possible.
  • Capture the Flag – A mode where the goal is to capture the opposing team’s flag and return it to your own base.

Development

De-formers was developed by Ready at Dawn, a video game development studio founded in 2003. The game was released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in July 2017.

Reception

De-formers received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the game’s fast and frantic gameplay, colorful cast of characters, and variety of game modes. However, some critics found the game to be too chaotic and repetitive.

Overall

De-formers is a fast and frantic arena brawler that is sure to provide hours of chaotic and competitive fun. With its colorful cast of characters, variety of game modes, and physics-based gameplay, De-formers is a great choice for fans of multiplayer brawlers.

Review Score

8/10

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