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Soundtrack (Video Game)
God of War


3.0
good

Review

by Channing Freeman STAFF
April 15th, 2007 | 47 replies


Release Date: 2005 | Tracklist


The Gods of Olympus have abandoned me…now there is no hope.

You are Kratos, a Spartan captain. In a battle against a barbarian army that far outnumbers your own, you realize that you are about to meet your end. In desperation, you call out to Ares, the God of War. He saves your life, but only under one condition: you must serve him for the rest of your days. Indeed, it seems but a small price to pay. He gives you the Blades of Chaos, two massive blades that are chained and seared to your wrists, never to be removed. From that point on, you become a monster, killing and murdering in the name of your master Ares…until one day. Drunken with bloodlust, your ambition driving you on, you fall right into Ares’ trap, murdering your wife and child. A cruel trick orchestrated by Ares, all for the intent of making you into the perfect warrior with nothing to hold you back. It is then that you realize that you can no longer serve this insane War God…

The God of War series is easily my favorite video game series ever. It takes the mythos, people, and places of Greek mythology and creates something entirely new and different. They have a tremendous, well thought out storyline, amazing visuals, and to appease those who are hungry for violence, they’re incredibly brutal and bloody. In short, the games will please just about anyone. On top of all that, I was also incredibly impressed by the game music: original orchestral compositions that do a wonderful job of setting the mood and tone for the games. The first game’s soundtrack is decidedly less spectacular than that of the sequel, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t impressive. It’s got orchestration, chanting choir vocals, and works incredibly well when you’re playing the game; however, it has no lasting power as a standalone soundtrack. In other words, it suffers the same fate that the majority of soundtracks do.

The album opens with a quote from the game; specifically, the one I used at the beginning of this review. This is a common theme found throughout the soundtrack; many key interactions from the game are placed onto the soundtrack. Although it has a nice effect the first few times you listen, they soon become tiresome and pointless. Additionally, I feel that they used too many quotes. At times some of them feel forced, as if they felt obligated to put every key point of the storyline into the soundtrack. Still, the series has some of the most badass quotes around, and I do feel that they were a nice touch; it just could have been executed better.

Musically, the developing team did not shirk their duties at all. It’s apparent that they put everything they had into this soundtrack and tried to make it as unique and fitting as possible. The sounds and instrumentation are diverse, each setting in the game having a different theme. The Aegean Sea track “Kratos and the Sea” is frantic and unpredictable, much like the waters of the Sea itself. “The Splendor of Athens” and “Athenian Battle” make great use of woodwinds and Eastern-style percussion, but despite having the most interesting instrumentation, they end up being two of the most boring tracks because of their lack of variation in sound. “Kratos’ Evil Past” has a “Gladiator” feel to it due to the single female voice in the beginning. It soon become frantic and uncertain, only to calm down again at the end. “The Great Sword Bridge of Athena” is one of the best tracks. It features a prominent horn and string section as well as beautiful female choir vocals (I really am a sucker for those). “Battle the Lethal Sirens” brings back the Eastern feel of the Athens tracks but without the boring nature, making for a compelling and interesting listen. The drumming sounds almost tribal. “Zeus’ Wrath Divine” is the vocal standout. The vocals, trumpets, and strings all contain the same melody, a motif that is repeated throughout both games. It’s a controlled chaos, relying on epic buildups and climaxes. “Minotaur Boss Battle” also contains great vocal work, sounding at times like the Underworld itself chanting in unison.

Most of the tracks I didn’t mention are either too uninteresting to talk about or they have the same characteristics as the ones I talked about. Because of this, the God of War soundtrack is definitely a mixed bag. It contains some fantastic and compelling moments, but for every two great tracks you get a bad one. As I said, it all works well in the game, but as a standalone soundtrack it contains barely any replay value. Still I do recommend checking the soundtrack out, as it does make you more aware of the music when you’re playing the game. Overall, it’s a soundtrack that doesn’t live up to how great the game is, but then again, how could it? After all, God of War is the greatest video game series ever.

The monster you created has returned…to kill you.



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user ratings (16)
3.6
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
south_of_heaven 11
April 15th 2007


5614 Comments


Soundtrack was awesome in the game, but I've heard the GoW2 soundtrack faults were also just as you described for the first games score.

Doesn't matter; Kratos f*cking beats the sh*t out of everything and everyone.

IF ALL ON OLYMPUS SHALL DENY ME MY VENGEANCE, THAN ALL ON OLYMPUS MUST DIE

EDIT: Haven't played the game in weeks cause my friend took it This Message Edited On 04.15.07

GleamInRanks
April 15th 2007


298 Comments


I really need to play God of War

Doppelganger
April 15th 2007


3124 Comments


SPARTAAAAAAAAAA

jrowa001
April 15th 2007


8752 Comments


GoW is my fav series as well. i just beat the second one, so now i got to take it on through Titan mode. this game kicks soo much ass. now i have a reason to get the ps3 so i can play the third GoW when it comes out

south_of_heaven 11
April 15th 2007


5614 Comments


Hey Chan, I take it you finally got GoW2?

south_of_heaven 11
April 15th 2007


5614 Comments


Titan Mode is f*cking insane yo. Tbh, I think it takes away much of the games fun, since instead of just going off on crazy-a*s combos, you throw your blades around for a quick combo, and then just pray that you can hit the block button quick enough. To me, God of War is all about balls-out offense. It's still a nice challenge, though.

jrowa001
April 15th 2007


8752 Comments


thats true, but knowing that youre the ultimate God of War, its a cool feeling (nerdy chuckle). i still need to play the deleted levels that are on the bonus disc. are they any good? was it me or was Zeus kinda easy even on normal mode?

south_of_heaven 11
April 15th 2007


5614 Comments


Yea, Zeus wasn't hard, it was just awesome to kick his pussy a*s.

south_of_heaven 11
April 15th 2007


5614 Comments


DUDE CHAN SPOILERS FOR OTHER PEOPLE DELETE DELETE DELETE

south_of_heaven 11
April 15th 2007


5614 Comments


She was a nappy headed hoe anyway tbh

jrowa001
April 15th 2007


8752 Comments


really? damn i thought they were playable. o well, theres the Challenges still that sound like fun.

SynGates
April 15th 2007


2467 Comments


Good review, didnt like the game much at all.

antihippy
April 15th 2007


696 Comments


i really ned to try to play more games.


not really.

south_of_heaven 11
April 15th 2007


5614 Comments


because gay people don't like GoW...duh.

antihippy
April 15th 2007


696 Comments


nah, my comp is short for space as it is already, and i can't see my parents buying me a PS or a Xbox. :upset:This Message Edited On 04.15.07

edit:this message is to SOHThis Message Edited On 04.15.07

south_of_heaven 11
April 15th 2007


5614 Comments


Jom your prof. is da man.

Otisbum
April 15th 2007


1913 Comments


My friend's been pressuring me to buy this game for awhile now, so I think I'll do it.
Which one should I get (of course if I can't get them both at the same time)?
I only wish they were on 360 so I wouldn't have to go into my brother's room to play them.
Great review Chan.

trustxdialect
April 15th 2007


1502 Comments


And the first one > second one.
Richer story, most satisfying killings/bosses/ending. The second one is stil kickass, but I like a little more meat to my story. BUT KRATOS IS STILL AWESOME.

Good review Chan, did someone already submit the album cover to the higher beings?This Message Edited On 04.15.07

trustxdialect
April 15th 2007


1502 Comments


[edit because Chan is right!] KRATOS IS STILL AWESOME.

oh and i'll go report that cause damnit chan you're making the front page ugly This Message Edited On 04.15.07

trustxdialect
April 15th 2007


1502 Comments


o ok you're right.

my friend was playing the game and he got to that part in the fountain and he was beating down the barriers and when he found the girls he made the funniest face. he then proceeded to try playing the mini-game for twenty minutes but couldn't get the controls right.



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