God of War: Chains of Olympus brings back Kratos, the Spartan warrior doomed to a life stained with blood, on a new mission that takes him into the depths of the unknown. His journey begins when the gods assign him the task of rescuing Helios, the Sun God, who has mysteriously disappeared, plunging the world into complete darkness. However, this darkness is not merely the absence of the sun; it is a veil hiding unseen forces moving in the shadows. Kratos discovers that behind this chaos stands Morpheus, the god of dreams, who has taken advantage of Helios’ absence to plunge Olympus into a deep slumber, leaving the world at his mercy. With the sun’s light gone, Morpheus’ influence grows stronger, and he begins reshaping reality according to his desires. But for Kratos, this is not just a conflict between gods; it is a test of his will and a personal struggle with his haunting past. Throughout his journey, Kratos faces not only mythical monsters and supernatural creatures but also his painful memories, as he finds himself torn between the duty imposed by the gods and his own desire to be with his loved ones.

Chains of Olympus delivers a fluid and dynamic combat experience presented from a third-person perspective, with a fixed camera that adds a cinematic feel to every moment. Players control Kratos, the rebellious warrior, in battles filled with interconnected combat moves that rely on chained attacks, combined with elements of climbing, puzzle-solving, and intricate challenges. The game takes us through worlds inspired by Greek mythology, where Kratos encounters familiar creatures such as gorgons, cyclopes, satyrs, sirens, minotaurs, and hordes of hoplites. Combat revolves around the Blades of Chaos, Kratos’ signature weapon, allowing him to unleash fast and ferocious attacks against enemies. Players can execute combo moves and brutal finishers that highlight the sheer power of the Spartan warrior, making the combat both intense and satisfying.

However, battle is not only about physical skill but also involves magic and special abilities. Throughout his journey, Kratos gains new powers such as Efreet, which allows him to summon a fiery creature that attacks enemies with infernal flames. There is also the Light of Dawn, a magic ability that releases devastating energy blasts, and the Sun Shield, a defensive and offensive tool that deflects attacks while emitting blinding energy. In addition to combat, the game includes platforming and puzzles that require logic and thinking, adding variety to the experience and breaking the monotony of continuous fights. The game also features interactive cinematic sequences that force players to make quick decisions, adding a dramatic touch to every critical encounter.

Although Chains of Olympus is a spin-off released on the PSP ppsspp games, it is no less impressive than its predecessors on PlayStation 2. Compared to God of War (2005), this installment introduced noticeable improvements in several aspects. Starting with visuals and artistic design, the developers pushed the PSP’s capabilities to their limits, delivering stunning environmental details and impressive character designs. Despite the PSP’s control limitations, the game maintained its fluid and enjoyable combat system, with adjustments that made executing attacks and dodging more seamless.