God of War II
Encyclopedia
God of War II is an action-adventure
video game released (as the second God of War game) for the PlayStation 2
by Sony Computer Entertainment
's Santa Monica
division in March, 2007.
Loosely based on Greek mythology
, the game focuses on protagonist
Kratos
and forms part of a saga
(chronologically the fifth chapter in the God of War
series) with vengeance as a central theme.
Kratos, now the God of War, attempts to avert his betrayal by Zeus
and the Olympian Gods
by seeking out The Sisters of Fate
and changing his destiny.
in a combination of combat (both normal and quick-time), platforming and puzzle game elements. Many of the familiar combination attacks reappear, the game features four times as many boss fights and improved puzzles in comparison to the original.
Kratos' main weapons are Athena's Blades (or Blades of Athena), with other new weapons including the Barbarian Hammer, the Spear of Destiny and periodically, the Blade of Olympus. Although Kratos initially begins the game with Athena's Blades and the magic ability Poseidon's Rage at maximum, these abilities are lost after an encounter with Zeus.
There are several relics also available, including the previously acquired
Poseidon's Trident, and new additions, the Amulet of the Fates, Golden Fleece and Icarus' Wings.
Magic is available via "Typhon's Bane", "Cronos' Rage", "Head of Euryale" and "Atlas Quake". Kratos also acquires a special ability called Rage of the Titans, which replaces Rage of the Gods from the previous installment.
Health and Magic upgrades - Gorgon Eyes and Phoenix Feathers respectively - reappear, with six items needed for an upgrade. Rage of the Titans can also be replenished. All three upgrades are found in a chest of corresponding colour (health green; magic blue and Rage yellow) in addition to other chests (red) that provide experience yielding orbs. There are also three special chests that provide an upgrade to Health, Magic bars and experience respectively. Several urns are also hidden in the game and on completion of the Challenge mode will unlock special abilities.
The sex mini-game included in the previous installment returns (being an encounter with two hand maidens), a revised challenge mode (seven trials called "Challenge of the Titans") that unlocks the abilities in the urns found during the first playthrough and the new "Arena of the Fates" which allows players to create their own battles.
god Ares
. Shunned by the other gods and still haunted by nightmares from his past, Kratos decides to join an army of Spartans
in an attack on the city of Rhodes
. Kratos also ignores a warning from the goddess Athena
that his lust for revenge is alienating the other gods.
During the battle, a giant eagle drains Kratos of his godly powers and also animates the Colossus of Rhodes
. After a series of skirmishes with the statue, Kratos is offered the Blade of Olympus by Zeus- Kratos now only needing to infuse the blade with the remainder of his godly power. Although now human Kratos defeats the Colossus, he is mortally wounded in the attempt. Zeus reveals himself as the eagle, and states he is forced to intervene as Athena refuses to undo what Zeus refers to as "her mistake". Zeus then grants Kratos one final opportunity to be a loyal servant of the gods. Kratos, however, refuses and is killed by Zeus with the Blade of Olympus. Zeus then destroys the invading Spartan army.
Although Kratos is slowly dragged to the Underworld
, he is saved by the Titan
Gaia
, Mother of Earth. Gaia explains to Kratos that he must now find the Sisters of Fate
, who can change his fate and prevent his death at the hands of Zeus. With the aid of a winged Pegasus
, Kratos is first directed to find Gaia's brother Titan Typhon
and enlist his aid. After an aerial battle with griffin
s and harpies, Kratos finds the Titan imprisoned in an arctic
location under a mountain.
Typhon is angered at the intrusion and imprisons the Pegasus, trapping Kratos in his lair. Forced to explore, Kratos battles hordes of foes until encountering the former Titan, Prometheus
, who was trapped in mortal form and then chained and tortured at Zeus' directive for giving the gift of fire to mankind. Prometheus begs for release from his torment, and to achieve this Kratos then finds and confronts Typhon. Kratos steals the Titan's magical bow and uses it to blind the Titan, with an angered Typhon swearing vengeance. Kratos returns to Prometheus and uses the weapon to free him, who then chooses death by fire. In the act of immolation Prometheus releases the power of the Titans, which Kratos absorbs into himself. Freeing the Pegasus with the Titans' power, Kratos escapes and defeats more aerial foes until finding the Island of Creation.
Kratos then learns from Gaia that she once raised a young Zeus, who, on reaching manhood, betrayed her and waged war against all Titans for the cruelty inflicted on his siblings by his father, Cronos
. After battling and defeating a number of foes, including Theseus
, an undead
version of his old foe
the Barbarian King, the gorgon
Euryale
, Perseus
, and Icarus
(both of whom are also seeking the Sisters of Fate), Kratos encounters the imprisoned Titan Atlas
. An angered Atlas initially has no time for Kratos as he was responsible for the Titan's current predicament
. Kratos, however, explains his intent, and Atlas reveals that Gaia and the other Titans seek revenge on Zeus as they were punished and humiliated by the gods after their defeat in the Great War
. After revealing that the Blade of Olympus is the key to Zeus' defeat, Atlas aids Kratos by helping him reach the Palace of the Fates.
After evading numerous traps and defeating waves of monsters, Kratos encounters and battles an unseen foe, who is revealed to be a loyal Spartan soldier. Before dying, the soldier reveals Zeus has completed his revenge by destroying Sparta in Kratos' absence. An outraged Kratos is given even greater power by Gaia, who encourages him to continue to pursue his ultimate goal - the death of Zeus. Kratos eventually finds and frees a phoenix
, riding the creature to the Sisters' stronghold. Kratos then confronts two of the three Sisters - Lakhesis
and Atropos
. After a series of skirmishes (including a failed attempt by the Sisters to change the outcome of Kratos' battle with Ares), Kratos kills both, and then confronts the final Sister, Clotho
. After killing Clotho, Kratos uses the Loom of Fate to return to the point at which Zeus betrayed him.
Kratos surprises Zeus and seizes the Blade of Olympus, and, after a protracted battle, incapacitates Zeus. Athena intervenes and begs Kratos to stop, stating by killing Zeus, Kratos will destroy Olympus. Kratos ignores Athena's pleas and attempts to kill Zeus, but Athena sacrifices herself and is impaled by the Blade of Olympus. Before dying, Athena reveals Kratos is Zeus' son, and that Zeus was afraid that Kratos would usurp him, as he himself did to Cronos. Kratos declares the time of the gods is at an end, and travels back in time, rescuing the Titans just prior to their defeat in the Great War. Kratos then brings the Titans to the present, where the gods watch as their former foes climb Mount Olympus. Standing on the back of Gaia and wielding the Blade of Olympus, Kratos tells Zeus he has brought the destruction of Olympus.
held a media event - featuring scantily clad women and a dead goat in Athens
as part of the game's marketing campaign.
In April 2007, the Daily Mail
learned of the event from the UK Official PlayStation Magazine
and condemned it as a "depraved promotion stunt" with a possible boycott of Sony products as a result. Sony responded by stating the event had been sensationalized based on hyperbole and the article contained several inaccuracies, but also apologized.
The North American version of God of War II is packaged in a two-disc set. The first disc contains the game, and the second disc is dedicated to the game's development, including a diary of the game's production. The European/Australian PAL version was released as two different editions: a single disc standard edition and a two disc "Special Edition" with different box art and a bonus DVD.
Both God of War II and the original God of War
, were released in North America on November 17, 2009 as part of the God of War Collection, featuring remastered ports of both games to PlayStation 3 hardware with up-scaled graphics and support for PlayStation Trophies. The collection was released in Japan on March 18, 2010, Australia on April 29, 2010 and the UK on April 30, 2010. The "God of War II Bonus Materials" on the second disc of the original two-disc PS2 version is included with the collection (available under Video when disc is in PS3 system). The bonus materials, however, are not included in the digital download version.
On November 2, 2010, God of War: Collection - containing both God of War and God of War II
- was released as a digital download on the PlayStation Store
(the first product containing PS2 material to be available via download). PlayStation Plus subscribers may also download a one hour trial of each game and for a limited time receive a God of War III skin with the purchase of each game: "Phantom of Chaos" (God of War) and "Forgotten Warrior" (God of War II) respectively.
, Ron Fish
, Mike Reagan
and Cris Velasco
- was released on CD
(66 minutes and 41 seconds in length) by SCEI
.
In 2007, IGN
listed God of War II at number two on the "top 25 PS2 Games of All Time" list - five ahead of its predecessor.
In North America, the game sold 833,209 copies by the end of March 2007, twice as many copies as the next-best selling game. God of War II attained the highest selling rank in the UK in the first week of release. The game eventually sold over one million copies in the first three months after release. On March 13, 2008, God of War II joined Sony's "Greatest Hits" list.
IGN and GameSpot consider God of War II to be the swan song
of the PlayStation 2 era.
Action-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game that combines elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements. It is perhaps the broadest and most diverse genre in gaming, and can include many games which might better be categorized under narrow genres...
video game released (as the second God of War game) for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
by Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
's Santa Monica
Santa Mônica
Santa Mônica is a town and municipality in the state of Paraná in the Southern Region of Brazil.-References:...
division in March, 2007.
Loosely based on Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
, the game focuses on protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
Kratos
Kratos (God of War)
Kratos is a video game character from Sony Computer Entertainment'sGod of War series, which is loosely based on Greek mythology. Kratos first appeared in the highly successful video game God of War , which led to the development of five additional games featuring the character as the protagonist...
and forms part of a saga
Saga
Sagas, are stories in Old Norse about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history, etc.Saga may also refer to:Business*Saga DAB radio, a British radio station*Saga Airlines, a Turkish airline*Saga Falabella, a department store chain in Peru...
(chronologically the fifth chapter in the God of War
God of War (series)
God of War is a series of action-adventure video games based on Greek mythology.The main trilogy—God of War I, II, & III—in the series were developed by Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica division , with Ready at Dawn Studios developing the PSP and Javaground the mobile phone installment...
series) with vengeance as a central theme.
Kratos, now the God of War, attempts to avert his betrayal by Zeus
Zeus
In the ancient Greek religion, Zeus was the "Father of Gods and men" who ruled the Olympians of Mount Olympus as a father ruled the family. He was the god of sky and thunder in Greek mythology. His Roman counterpart is Jupiter and his Etruscan counterpart is Tinia.Zeus was the child of Cronus...
and the Olympian Gods
Twelve Olympians
The Twelve Olympians, also known as the Dodekatheon , in Greek mythology, were the principal deities of the Greek pantheon, residing atop Mount Olympus. Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Hestia, and Hades were siblings. Ares, Hermes, Hephaestus, Athena, Apollo, and Artemis were children of Zeus...
by seeking out The Sisters of Fate
Moirae
The Moirae, Moerae or Moirai , in Greek mythology, were the white-robed incarnations of destiny . Their number became fixed at three...
and changing his destiny.
Gameplay
Gameplay is very similar to the original installment. The player controls the character KratosKratos (God of War)
Kratos is a video game character from Sony Computer Entertainment'sGod of War series, which is loosely based on Greek mythology. Kratos first appeared in the highly successful video game God of War , which led to the development of five additional games featuring the character as the protagonist...
in a combination of combat (both normal and quick-time), platforming and puzzle game elements. Many of the familiar combination attacks reappear, the game features four times as many boss fights and improved puzzles in comparison to the original.
Kratos' main weapons are Athena's Blades (or Blades of Athena), with other new weapons including the Barbarian Hammer, the Spear of Destiny and periodically, the Blade of Olympus. Although Kratos initially begins the game with Athena's Blades and the magic ability Poseidon's Rage at maximum, these abilities are lost after an encounter with Zeus.
There are several relics also available, including the previously acquired
God of War (video game)
God of War is an action adventure video game for the PlayStation 2 first released by Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica division in March 2005...
Poseidon's Trident, and new additions, the Amulet of the Fates, Golden Fleece and Icarus' Wings.
Magic is available via "Typhon's Bane", "Cronos' Rage", "Head of Euryale" and "Atlas Quake". Kratos also acquires a special ability called Rage of the Titans, which replaces Rage of the Gods from the previous installment.
Health and Magic upgrades - Gorgon Eyes and Phoenix Feathers respectively - reappear, with six items needed for an upgrade. Rage of the Titans can also be replenished. All three upgrades are found in a chest of corresponding colour (health green; magic blue and Rage yellow) in addition to other chests (red) that provide experience yielding orbs. There are also three special chests that provide an upgrade to Health, Magic bars and experience respectively. Several urns are also hidden in the game and on completion of the Challenge mode will unlock special abilities.
The sex mini-game included in the previous installment returns (being an encounter with two hand maidens), a revised challenge mode (seven trials called "Challenge of the Titans") that unlocks the abilities in the urns found during the first playthrough and the new "Arena of the Fates" which allows players to create their own battles.
Plot
Kratos is now the God of War, having defeated the OlympianTwelve Olympians
The Twelve Olympians, also known as the Dodekatheon , in Greek mythology, were the principal deities of the Greek pantheon, residing atop Mount Olympus. Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Hestia, and Hades were siblings. Ares, Hermes, Hephaestus, Athena, Apollo, and Artemis were children of Zeus...
god Ares
Ares
Ares is the Greek god of war. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. In Greek literature, he often represents the physical or violent aspect of war, in contrast to the armored Athena, whose functions as a goddess of intelligence include military strategy and...
. Shunned by the other gods and still haunted by nightmares from his past, Kratos decides to join an army of Spartans
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
in an attack on the city of Rhodes
Rhodes
Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
. Kratos also ignores a warning from the goddess Athena
Athena
In Greek mythology, Athena, Athenê, or Athene , also referred to as Pallas Athena/Athene , is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, warfare, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, justice, and skill. Minerva, Athena's Roman incarnation, embodies similar attributes. Athena is...
that his lust for revenge is alienating the other gods.
During the battle, a giant eagle drains Kratos of his godly powers and also animates the Colossus of Rhodes
Colossus of Rhodes
The Colossus of Rhodes was a statue of the Greek Titan Helios, erected in the city of Rhodes on the Greek island of Rhodes by Chares of Lindos between 292 and 280 BC. It is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was constructed to celebrate Rhodes' victory over the ruler of...
. After a series of skirmishes with the statue, Kratos is offered the Blade of Olympus by Zeus- Kratos now only needing to infuse the blade with the remainder of his godly power. Although now human Kratos defeats the Colossus, he is mortally wounded in the attempt. Zeus reveals himself as the eagle, and states he is forced to intervene as Athena refuses to undo what Zeus refers to as "her mistake". Zeus then grants Kratos one final opportunity to be a loyal servant of the gods. Kratos, however, refuses and is killed by Zeus with the Blade of Olympus. Zeus then destroys the invading Spartan army.
Although Kratos is slowly dragged to the Underworld
Underworld
The Underworld is a region which is thought to be under the surface of the earth in some religions and in mythologies. It could be a place where the souls of the recently departed go, and in some traditions it is identified with Hell or the realm of death...
, he is saved by the Titan
Titan (mythology)
In Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful deities, descendants of Gaia and Uranus, that ruled during the legendary Golden Age....
Gaia
Gaia (mythology)
Gaia was the primordial Earth-goddess in ancient Greek religion. Gaia was the great mother of all: the heavenly gods and Titans were descended from her union with Uranus , the sea-gods from her union with Pontus , the Giants from her mating with Tartarus and mortal creatures were sprung or born...
, Mother of Earth. Gaia explains to Kratos that he must now find the Sisters of Fate
Moirae
The Moirae, Moerae or Moirai , in Greek mythology, were the white-robed incarnations of destiny . Their number became fixed at three...
, who can change his fate and prevent his death at the hands of Zeus. With the aid of a winged Pegasus
Pegasus
Pegasus is one of the best known fantastical as well as mythological creatures in Greek mythology. He is a winged divine horse, usually white in color. He was sired by Poseidon, in his role as horse-god, and foaled by the Gorgon Medusa. He was the brother of Chrysaor, born at a single birthing...
, Kratos is first directed to find Gaia's brother Titan Typhon
Typhon
Typhon , also Typhoeus , Typhaon or Typhos was the last son of Gaia, fathered by Tartarus, and the most deadly monster of Greek mythology. He was known as the "Father of all monsters"; his wife Echidna was likewise the "Mother of All Monsters."Typhon was described in pseudo-Apollodorus,...
and enlist his aid. After an aerial battle with griffin
Griffin
The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle...
s and harpies, Kratos finds the Titan imprisoned in an arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
location under a mountain.
Typhon is angered at the intrusion and imprisons the Pegasus, trapping Kratos in his lair. Forced to explore, Kratos battles hordes of foes until encountering the former Titan, Prometheus
Prometheus
In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan, the son of Iapetus and Themis, and brother to Atlas, Epimetheus and Menoetius. He was a champion of mankind, known for his wily intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals...
, who was trapped in mortal form and then chained and tortured at Zeus' directive for giving the gift of fire to mankind. Prometheus begs for release from his torment, and to achieve this Kratos then finds and confronts Typhon. Kratos steals the Titan's magical bow and uses it to blind the Titan, with an angered Typhon swearing vengeance. Kratos returns to Prometheus and uses the weapon to free him, who then chooses death by fire. In the act of immolation Prometheus releases the power of the Titans, which Kratos absorbs into himself. Freeing the Pegasus with the Titans' power, Kratos escapes and defeats more aerial foes until finding the Island of Creation.
Kratos then learns from Gaia that she once raised a young Zeus, who, on reaching manhood, betrayed her and waged war against all Titans for the cruelty inflicted on his siblings by his father, Cronos
Cronus
In Greek mythology, Cronus or Kronos was the leader and the youngest of the first generation of Titans, divine descendants of Gaia, the earth, and Uranus, the sky...
. After battling and defeating a number of foes, including Theseus
Theseus
For other uses, see Theseus Theseus was the mythical founder-king of Athens, son of Aethra, and fathered by Aegeus and Poseidon, both of whom Aethra had slept with in one night. Theseus was a founder-hero, like Perseus, Cadmus, or Heracles, all of whom battled and overcame foes that were...
, an undead
Undead
Undead is a collective name for fictional, mythological, or legendary beings that are deceased and yet behave as if alive. Undead may be incorporeal, such as ghosts, or corporeal, such as vampires and zombies...
version of his old foe
God of War (video game)
God of War is an action adventure video game for the PlayStation 2 first released by Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica division in March 2005...
the Barbarian King, the gorgon
Gorgon
In Greek mythology, the Gorgon was a terrifying female creature. The name derives from the Greek word gorgós, which means "dreadful." While descriptions of Gorgons vary across Greek literature, the term commonly refers to any of three sisters who had hair of living, venomous snakes, and a...
Euryale
Euryale
Euryale , in Greek mythology, was the second eldest one of the Gorgons, three vicious sisters with brass hands, sharp fangs, and hair of living, venomous snakes. She and her sister Stheno, unlike their sister, Medusa, were not able to turn any creature to stone with her gaze...
, Perseus
Perseus
Perseus ,Perseos and Perseas are not used in English. the legendary founder of Mycenae and of the Perseid dynasty of Danaans there, was the first of the mythic heroes of Greek mythology whose exploits in defeating various archaic monsters provided the founding myths of the Twelve Olympians...
, and Icarus
Icarus
-Space and astronomy:* Icarus , on the Moon* Icarus , a planetary science journal* 1566 Icarus, an asteroid* IKAROS, a interplanetary unmanned spacecraft...
(both of whom are also seeking the Sisters of Fate), Kratos encounters the imprisoned Titan Atlas
Atlas (mythology)
In Greek mythology, Atlas was the primordial Titan who supported the heavens. Although associated with various places, he became commonly identified with the Atlas Mountains in north-west Africa...
. An angered Atlas initially has no time for Kratos as he was responsible for the Titan's current predicament
God of War: Chains of Olympus
God of War: Chains of Olympus is an action-adventure game developed by Ready at Dawn and released by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable in March 2008....
. Kratos, however, explains his intent, and Atlas reveals that Gaia and the other Titans seek revenge on Zeus as they were punished and humiliated by the gods after their defeat in the Great War
Titanomachy
In Greek mythology, the Titanomachy or War of the Titans , was the ten-year series of battles fought in Thessaly between the two camps of deities long before the existence of mankind: the Titans, based on Mount Othrys, and the Olympians, who would come to reign on Mount Olympus...
. After revealing that the Blade of Olympus is the key to Zeus' defeat, Atlas aids Kratos by helping him reach the Palace of the Fates.
After evading numerous traps and defeating waves of monsters, Kratos encounters and battles an unseen foe, who is revealed to be a loyal Spartan soldier. Before dying, the soldier reveals Zeus has completed his revenge by destroying Sparta in Kratos' absence. An outraged Kratos is given even greater power by Gaia, who encourages him to continue to pursue his ultimate goal - the death of Zeus. Kratos eventually finds and frees a phoenix
Phoenix (mythology)
The phoenix or phenix is a mythical sacred firebird that can be found in the mythologies of the Arabian, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, Indian and Phoenicians....
, riding the creature to the Sisters' stronghold. Kratos then confronts two of the three Sisters - Lakhesis
Lachesis (mythology)
In Greek mythology, Lachesis was the second of the Three Fates, or Moirae, also known as the Triple Moon Goddesses or the Lunar Dieties. Each phase of the moon representing each of the fates - Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos...
and Atropos
Atropos
Atropos or Aisa , in Greek mythology, was one of the three Moirae, goddesses of fate and destiny. Her Roman equivalent was Morta.Atropos or Aisa was the oldest of the Three Fates, and was known as the "inflexible" or "inevitable." It was Atropos who chose the mechanism of death and ended the life...
. After a series of skirmishes (including a failed attempt by the Sisters to change the outcome of Kratos' battle with Ares), Kratos kills both, and then confronts the final Sister, Clotho
Clotho
Clotho is one of the Three Fates or Moirae, in ancient Greek mythology. Her Roman equivalent is Nona. Clotho was responsible for spinning the thread of human life. She also made major decisions, such as when a person was born, thus in effect controlling people's lives...
. After killing Clotho, Kratos uses the Loom of Fate to return to the point at which Zeus betrayed him.
Kratos surprises Zeus and seizes the Blade of Olympus, and, after a protracted battle, incapacitates Zeus. Athena intervenes and begs Kratos to stop, stating by killing Zeus, Kratos will destroy Olympus. Kratos ignores Athena's pleas and attempts to kill Zeus, but Athena sacrifices herself and is impaled by the Blade of Olympus. Before dying, Athena reveals Kratos is Zeus' son, and that Zeus was afraid that Kratos would usurp him, as he himself did to Cronos. Kratos declares the time of the gods is at an end, and travels back in time, rescuing the Titans just prior to their defeat in the Great War. Kratos then brings the Titans to the present, where the gods watch as their former foes climb Mount Olympus. Standing on the back of Gaia and wielding the Blade of Olympus, Kratos tells Zeus he has brought the destruction of Olympus.
Characters
- T.C. CarsonTerrence C. CarsonTerrence C. Carson is an American singer and stage, film, and television actor. He is best known for portraying Kyle Barker on the FOX sitcom Living Single and Star Wars: The Clone Wars as the voice double for Samuel L. Jackson. He is also well known for voicing Kratos in the God of War series...
as KratosKratos (God of War)Kratos is a video game character from Sony Computer Entertainment'sGod of War series, which is loosely based on Greek mythology. Kratos first appeared in the highly successful video game God of War , which led to the development of five additional games featuring the character as the protagonist...
: The protagonist. Originally a Captain in SpartaSpartaSparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
's Army, and a former servant of the gods of Olympus. Becomes the God of War after killing the Olympian AresAresAres is the Greek god of war. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. In Greek literature, he often represents the physical or violent aspect of war, in contrast to the armored Athena, whose functions as a goddess of intelligence include military strategy and...
and eventually revealed to be a demigod himself. Kratos seeks revenge against Zeus for his betrayal by locating the Sisters of Fate.
- Carole Ruggier as AthenaAthenaIn Greek mythology, Athena, Athenê, or Athene , also referred to as Pallas Athena/Athene , is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, warfare, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, justice, and skill. Minerva, Athena's Roman incarnation, embodies similar attributes. Athena is...
: The Goddess of Wisdom. Athena was Kratos' ally and mentor for many years and is forced to intervene when Kratos abandons Olympus.
- Linda HuntLinda HuntLinda Hunt is an American film, stage and television actress. After making her film debut playing Mrs. Oxheart in Popeye , Hunt portrayed Billy Kwan, her breakthrough performance in The Year of Living Dangerously...
as GaiaGaia (mythology)Gaia was the primordial Earth-goddess in ancient Greek religion. Gaia was the great mother of all: the heavenly gods and Titans were descended from her union with Uranus , the sea-gods from her union with Pontus , the Giants from her mating with Tartarus and mortal creatures were sprung or born...
and Narrator: Mother of the TitansTitan (mythology)In Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful deities, descendants of Gaia and Uranus, that ruled during the legendary Golden Age....
, and connected to all things of the Earth. Rescues Kratos and becomes a steadfast ally.
- Michael Clarke DuncanMichael Clarke DuncanMichael Clarke Duncan is an American actor, best known for his breakout role as John Coffey in The Green Mile, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.- Early life :...
as AtlasAtlas (mythology)In Greek mythology, Atlas was the primordial Titan who supported the heavens. Although associated with various places, he became commonly identified with the Atlas Mountains in north-west Africa...
: A four-armed Titan forced to hold the world on his shoulders due to Kratos' actionsGod of War: Chains of OlympusGod of War: Chains of Olympus is an action-adventure game developed by Ready at Dawn and released by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable in March 2008....
, who eventually becomes an ally.
- Lloyd SherrLloyd SherrLloyd Sherr , also known by his stage name Max Raphael, is an American voice actor. Sherr has been credited in many forms of media, most notably as narrator of the History Channel show Modern Marvels, for which his voice has become a trademark of the History Channel.Sherr has also narrated other...
as CronosCronusIn Greek mythology, Cronus or Kronos was the leader and the youngest of the first generation of Titans, divine descendants of Gaia, the earth, and Uranus, the sky...
: A Titan and father of Zeus. Revealed to have attempted to change his destiny by offering the Sisters of Fate the Steeds of Time.
- Alan OppenheimerAlan OppenheimerAlan Oppenheimer is an American character actor and voice actor. He has performed numerous roles on live-action television since the 1960s, and has had an active career doing voice work in cartoons since the 1970s.-Early life:...
as PrometheusPrometheusIn Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan, the son of Iapetus and Themis, and brother to Atlas, Epimetheus and Menoetius. He was a champion of mankind, known for his wily intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals...
: An albeit miniature Titan who, by Zeus' command, is imprisoned for giving fire to man and tortured daily until encountering Kratos.
- Fred TatascioreFred TatascioreFrederick "Fred" Tatasciore is an American voice actor who portrays secondary characters as well as monstrous-looking types...
as TyphonTyphonTyphon , also Typhoeus , Typhaon or Typhos was the last son of Gaia, fathered by Tartarus, and the most deadly monster of Greek mythology. He was known as the "Father of all monsters"; his wife Echidna was likewise the "Mother of All Monsters."Typhon was described in pseudo-Apollodorus,...
: A Titan imprisoned within a mountain who refuses aid to Kratos.
- Paul EidingPaul EidingPaul Eiding is an American voice actor, voice instructor, and actor, perhaps best known as the voice actor behind Perceptor in the original Transformers cartoon, Roy Campbell in the Metal Gear series, the narrator in Diablo, Judicator Aldaris in StarCraft, and Max Tennyson in Ben 10, Ben 10: Alien...
as TheseusTheseusFor other uses, see Theseus Theseus was the mythical founder-king of Athens, son of Aethra, and fathered by Aegeus and Poseidon, both of whom Aethra had slept with in one night. Theseus was a founder-hero, like Perseus, Cadmus, or Heracles, all of whom battled and overcame foes that were...
: A servant of the Sisters of Fate who guards the Steeds of Time, and the first of several Greek heroes that Kratos encounters.
- Bob JolesBob Joles-Anime Roles:* Dinozaurs" - Dr. Abbott* Transformers: Robots in Disguise - X-Brawn* Naruto - Fujin* Naruto Shippuden - Onoki-TV Roles:* Planet Sheen - Mr. Nesmith* Chowder - Mr. Fugu* Danny Phantom - Frostbite...
as The Barbarian King: A former foe of Kratos who returns from the underworld seeking revenge.
- Keith FergusonKeith FergusonKeith James Ferguson is an American voice actor, well known as the voice of Blooregard Q. Kazoo on the Cartoon Network animated series Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends...
as the Boat Captain: Originally left to dieGod of War (video game)God of War is an action adventure video game for the PlayStation 2 first released by Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica division in March 2005...
by Kratos, and encountered again in the Underworld. Although summoned as a spirit by the Barbarian King to oppose Kratos, he flees in fear.
- Jennifer MartinJennifer MartinJennifer Martin is an American voice actress, who is best known for her deep sexy voice.She provides the voice of Ms. Sara Bellum, who is the Mayor of Townsville's assistant, in the Cartoon Network-Hanna Barbera animated television series The Powerpuff Girls, as well as in the movie and in all the...
as EuryaleEuryaleEuryale , in Greek mythology, was the second eldest one of the Gorgons, three vicious sisters with brass hands, sharp fangs, and hair of living, venomous snakes. She and her sister Stheno, unlike their sister, Medusa, were not able to turn any creature to stone with her gaze...
: A gorgonGorgonIn Greek mythology, the Gorgon was a terrifying female creature. The name derives from the Greek word gorgós, which means "dreadful." While descriptions of Gorgons vary across Greek literature, the term commonly refers to any of three sisters who had hair of living, venomous snakes, and a...
and the sister of the slain MedusaMedusaIn Greek mythology Medusa , " guardian, protectress") was a Gorgon, a chthonic monster, and a daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. The author Hyginus, interposes a generation and gives Medusa another chthonic pair as parents. Gazing directly upon her would turn onlookers to stone...
, who also seeks revenge against Kratos.
- Harry HamlinHarry HamlinHarry Robinson Hamlin is an American film and television actor, known for his role as Perseus in the 1981 fantasy film Clash of the Titans, and as Michael Kuzak in the legal drama series L.A...
as PerseusPerseusPerseus ,Perseos and Perseas are not used in English. the legendary founder of Mycenae and of the Perseid dynasty of Danaans there, was the first of the mythic heroes of Greek mythology whose exploits in defeating various archaic monsters provided the founding myths of the Twelve Olympians...
: The second Greek hero Kratos encounters, and also on a quest to find the Sisters of Fate, hoping to revive his dead love.
- Bob JolesBob Joles-Anime Roles:* Dinozaurs" - Dr. Abbott* Transformers: Robots in Disguise - X-Brawn* Naruto - Fujin* Naruto Shippuden - Onoki-TV Roles:* Planet Sheen - Mr. Nesmith* Chowder - Mr. Fugu* Danny Phantom - Frostbite...
as IcarusIcarus-Space and astronomy:* Icarus , on the Moon* Icarus , a planetary science journal* 1566 Icarus, an asteroid* IKAROS, a interplanetary unmanned spacecraft...
: The son of DaedalusDaedalusIn Greek mythology, Daedalus was a skillful craftsman and artisan.-Family:...
and now insane.
- Josh KeatonJosh KeatonJoshua "Josh" Keaton is an American actor, voice actor, singer and music producer.-Early life:Keaton was born Joshua Luis Wiener in Hacienda Heights, California. He has three sisters: Danielle, Alitzah , and Sabrina...
as The Last Spartan: A soldier loyal to Kratos, and also on a quest to find the Sisters of Fate, hoping to change the fate of SpartaSpartaSparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
.
- The Sisters of FateMoiraeThe Moirae, Moerae or Moirai , in Greek mythology, were the white-robed incarnations of destiny . Their number became fixed at three...
: Three sisters who decide the fate of all beings. - Leigh-Allyn BakerLeigh-Allyn BakerLeigh-Allyn Baker is an American actress. She is best known for her recurring roles as Hannah Webster on Charmed, Ellen on Will & Grace as well as providing the voice of Abby on the Nickelodeon animated series Back at the Barnyard...
as LakhesisLachesis (mythology)In Greek mythology, Lachesis was the second of the Three Fates, or Moirae, also known as the Triple Moon Goddesses or the Lunar Dieties. Each phase of the moon representing each of the fates - Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos...
: The first Sister and determined to deny Kratos his revenge. - Debi Mae WestDebi Mae WestDebi Mae West is an American voice actress. In 2008, she won a Spike Video Game Award for voicing Meryl Silverburgh in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.- Film roles :* Boyz Up Unauthorized - Unknown* Superman - Billy...
as AtroposAtroposAtropos or Aisa , in Greek mythology, was one of the three Moirae, goddesses of fate and destiny. Her Roman equivalent was Morta.Atropos or Aisa was the oldest of the Three Fates, and was known as the "inflexible" or "inevitable." It was Atropos who chose the mechanism of death and ended the life...
: The second Sister, who tries to alter the events of Kratos's battle against AresGod of War (video game)God of War is an action adventure video game for the PlayStation 2 first released by Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica division in March 2005...
. - Susan SiloSusan SiloSusan Silo is an American actress and voice actress.-Early life and career:She was born in New York City, New York. Her acting career started in television on an episode of The Jack Benny Show. Silo also co-starred with Larry Blyden, Dawn Nickerson, and Diahn Williams in the NBC sitcom Harry's...
as ClothoClothoClotho is one of the Three Fates or Moirae, in ancient Greek mythology. Her Roman equivalent is Nona. Clotho was responsible for spinning the thread of human life. She also made major decisions, such as when a person was born, thus in effect controlling people's lives...
: The final Sister and keeper of the loom that decides the final fate of gods, Titans and men.
- Corey BurtonCorey BurtonCorey Burton is an American voice actor, perhaps best known as Count Dooku, Ziro the Hutt and Cad Bane in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Brainiac in the DC animated universe and Spike Witwicky and Shockwave in the Transformers universe...
as ZeusZeusIn the ancient Greek religion, Zeus was the "Father of Gods and men" who ruled the Olympians of Mount Olympus as a father ruled the family. He was the god of sky and thunder in Greek mythology. His Roman counterpart is Jupiter and his Etruscan counterpart is Tinia.Zeus was the child of Cronus...
: The King of Olympus, brother to Hades and Poseidon, and revealed to be Kratos' father. Zeus created the Blade of Olympus to win the Great WarTitanomachyIn Greek mythology, the Titanomachy or War of the Titans , was the ten-year series of battles fought in Thessaly between the two camps of deities long before the existence of mankind: the Titans, based on Mount Othrys, and the Olympians, who would come to reign on Mount Olympus...
against the Titans. Although initially Kratos' ally, Zeus eventually betrays Kratos due to his actions.
Marketing
On March 1, 2007 SonySony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
held a media event - featuring scantily clad women and a dead goat in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
as part of the game's marketing campaign.
In April 2007, the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
learned of the event from the UK Official PlayStation Magazine
PlayStation Official Magazine (UK)
The Official UK PlayStation Magazine is a now-defunct magazine, launched in November 1995 to coincide with the launch of the PlayStation console. It ran for 108 issues, with the last hitting news stands in March 2004. The first issue sold 37,000 copies...
and condemned it as a "depraved promotion stunt" with a possible boycott of Sony products as a result. Sony responded by stating the event had been sensationalized based on hyperbole and the article contained several inaccuracies, but also apologized.
Release
The game was released in North America on March 13, 2007, in Europe on April 27, 2007, and May 3, 2007 in Australia.The North American version of God of War II is packaged in a two-disc set. The first disc contains the game, and the second disc is dedicated to the game's development, including a diary of the game's production. The European/Australian PAL version was released as two different editions: a single disc standard edition and a two disc "Special Edition" with different box art and a bonus DVD.
Both God of War II and the original God of War
God of War (video game)
God of War is an action adventure video game for the PlayStation 2 first released by Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica division in March 2005...
, were released in North America on November 17, 2009 as part of the God of War Collection, featuring remastered ports of both games to PlayStation 3 hardware with up-scaled graphics and support for PlayStation Trophies. The collection was released in Japan on March 18, 2010, Australia on April 29, 2010 and the UK on April 30, 2010. The "God of War II Bonus Materials" on the second disc of the original two-disc PS2 version is included with the collection (available under Video when disc is in PS3 system). The bonus materials, however, are not included in the digital download version.
On November 2, 2010, God of War: Collection - containing both God of War and God of War II
God of War II
God of War II is an action-adventure video game released for the PlayStation 2 by Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica division in March, 2007....
- was released as a digital download on the PlayStation Store
PlayStation Store
The PlayStation Store is an online virtual market available to users of Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable game consoles via the PlayStation Network. The Store offers a range of downloadable content both for purchase and available free of charge. Available content includes full games,...
(the first product containing PS2 material to be available via download). PlayStation Plus subscribers may also download a one hour trial of each game and for a limited time receive a God of War III skin with the purchase of each game: "Phantom of Chaos" (God of War) and "Forgotten Warrior" (God of War II) respectively.
Soundtrack
On April 10, 2007, God of War II: Original Soundtrack from the Video Game - composed by Gerard K. MarinoGerard Marino
Gerard K. Marino is a film and video game score composer, most notably contributing heavily to the God of War series. He is featured prominently on the soundtracks for the original God of War and its sequel God of War II for which he was nominated for a BAFTA Award. He also worked on Activision...
, Ron Fish
Ron Fish
Ron Fish is an American musician and recording artist. He was drummer for Dick Dale, a surf guitarist of the 1960s. He was one of four composers to contribute songs to the soundtrack of video game God of War.-References:...
, Mike Reagan
Mike Reagan
Mike Reagan is a composer, songwriter and music producer whose music has been featured in multiple videogames, TV commercials, and various film projects, including Any Given Sunday, and Elmo in Grouchland, which garnered a Grammy Award for Best Children’s Soundtrack.He is most recognized for his...
and Cris Velasco
Cris Velasco
Cris Velasco is an American video game and film composer. He has been featured in the God of War video game series, with four tracks on the God of War, four on the God of War II, and five on the God of War III soundtracks...
- was released on CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
(66 minutes and 41 seconds in length) by SCEI
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
.
Reception
On release God of War II received critical and commercial acclaim, regarded as one of the best PlayStation 2 games and action games of all time.In 2007, IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
listed God of War II at number two on the "top 25 PS2 Games of All Time" list - five ahead of its predecessor.
In North America, the game sold 833,209 copies by the end of March 2007, twice as many copies as the next-best selling game. God of War II attained the highest selling rank in the UK in the first week of release. The game eventually sold over one million copies in the first three months after release. On March 13, 2008, God of War II joined Sony's "Greatest Hits" list.
IGN and GameSpot consider God of War II to be the swan song
Swan song
"Swan song" is a metaphorical phrase for a final gesture, effort, or performance given just before death or retirement. The phrase refers to an ancient belief that the Mute Swan is completely silent during its lifetime until the moment just before death, when it sings one beautiful song...
of the PlayStation 2 era.
External links
- God of War II Official USA Website
- God of War II Official European Website
- God of War II at Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...