God of War: Ghost of Sparta

Game Overview

God of War: Ghost of Sparta places players in control of Kratos shortly after the events of the first game. Now the God of War, he remains tormented by visions of his mortal past. A vision of his mother leads him to the sunken city of Atlantis, domain of Poseidon. There he discovers that his brother Deimos, long thought dead, is still alive and imprisoned by Thanatos, the God of Death.

Kratos’s quest takes him through Atlantis, Sparta, the Temple of Ares, and the Domain of Death. Along the way he confronts mythological creatures, frees the Titan Thera (gaining the power of Thera’s Bane), and ultimately battles Thanatos alongside his brother. The story deepens Kratos’s character by exploring his family origins, the source of his scar and tattoo, and the events that shaped his rage.

Gameplay builds on the classic God of War formula with refined combo-based combat using the Blades of Athena. New additions include Thera’s Bane (a fire-powered blade mode), the Arms of Sparta (spear and shield with ranged and defensive capabilities), and three new magic abilities: Eye of Atlantis, Scourge of Erinys, and Horn of Boreas. Players collect red orbs for upgrades, Gorgon Eyes for health, Phoenix Feathers for magic, and Minotaur Horns for item capacity. The game features more enemies on screen, larger bosses, platforming, puzzles, and quick-time events. The main campaign lasts roughly 6–8 hours and includes post-game content such as a Combat Arena and Challenges of the Gods.

Quick Specifications

• Title: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

• Platform: PlayStation Portable (PSP); later remastered for PlayStation 3 in the God of War: Origins Collection

• Developer: Ready at Dawn (with support from SCE Santa Monica Studio)

• Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

• Release Date: November 2, 2010 (North America); November 3–5, 2010 (Europe/Australia/UK)

• Genre: Action-adventure, Hack and slash

• Mode: Single-player

• ESRB Rating: Mature 17+ (Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content)

• Series: God of War (sixth installment overall; chronologically between God of War and God of War II)

Key Features

• Expanded combat system with more enemies on screen, new finishing moves, Combat Rush, and mid-combo weapon switching.

• New weapons and powers: Blades of Athena (with Thera’s Bane fire mode), Arms of Sparta (spear and shield for melee, ranged, and defensive play), Eye of Atlantis, Scourge of Erinys, and Horn of Boreas.

• Classic progression: red orbs for upgrades, Gorgon Eyes (health), Phoenix Feathers (magic), and Minotaur Horns (item capacity).

• Epic locations including Atlantis, Sparta, and the Domain of Death, plus large-scale boss battles against creatures such as Scylla and Thanatos.

• Deeper story focus on Kratos’s family history and personal origins.

• Post-game content including Combat Arena, Challenges of the Gods, and unlockable costumes/rewards.

• Outstanding technical performance and visuals that rank among the best on the PSP.

• Approximately 25% more gameplay content than its predecessor, Chains of Olympus.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Is God of War: Ghost of Sparta a sequel or prequel?

It is a midquel set between the original God of War and God of War II. It follows Kratos shortly after he becomes the God of War.

How long does it take to complete the game?

The main story typically takes 6–8 hours. Completionists aiming for all collectibles, challenges, and upgrades can expect around 9–10 hours.

What platforms is the game available on?

Originally released for PlayStation Portable. A remastered HD version was included in the God of War: Origins Collection for PlayStation 3 (and later available digitally on modern PlayStation platforms via collections or backward compatibility in some regions).

Does the game introduce new weapons and magic?

Yes. In addition to the Blades of Athena, players gain Thera’s Bane, the Arms of Sparta (spear and shield), and three new magic abilities: Eye of Atlantis, Scourge of Erinys, and Horn of Boreas.

Is the game longer or more feature-rich than Chains of Olympus?

Yes. It offers more gameplay content, larger-scale encounters, additional weapons and magic, and expanded post-game modes compared to its predecessor.

Are there any multiplayer modes?

No. The game is single-player only.