God of War II is an action-adventure sequel that begins with Kratos leading an assault on Rhodes before the gods turn on him. The campaign was completed through its credits, and it stands as an improvement over the first game in almost every way.
The move set is better across the board, with the heavy spin making more sense and the circle attack no longer a ground pound. The orb display is the standout quality-of-life fix, showing exact amounts instead of opaque level bars.
Levelling is much faster than the first game, and the rope traversal, grabbing and attaching are all quicker and smoother. Atlas’s Quake is the standout spell, granting invincibility that really helps in a pinch.
The PS3 HD version looks great, with the remaster doing a genuinely impressive job. The opening Colossus sequence and the betrayal set a strong hook, and the ending leads straight into God of War III as a delightful surprise.
The late-game boss fights become puzzles and frustrate, with the fight against the Sisters of Fate needing an item that was never used in combat before. The spells are a downgrade from the first game, with Poseidon’s Rage missed.
Enemies that only block are annoying, and the summoner enemies spawn minotaurs endlessly. The final stretch becomes a chore after the eight-hour mark, with a neverending supply of enemies and brutal quick-time events.
Overall, the improved move set, the orb display and the faster levelling make God of War II a very good sequel. The puzzle-boss fights and the chore-like final stretch are the caveats.