Combat peaked in GoW3 and it's definitely the best western action game, IMO. OG trilogy badly needs a remaster and PC port, which I read is in the works, so that's good.

I liked the freedom of expression GoW3 gave me. Like, you get one opening and you can fuck up the enemy in all sorts of ways in true action game spirit. Really good stuff and more western action games should've followed suit.

Again, a Let's discuss post guided by what I am currently playing: God of War Ragnarok.

Let me start of by saying that I am a big fan of this series. I came late to the party, playing the original 2 games on my overclocked PS vita as part of the God of War Collection. I really liked the first, loved the second and actually absolutely adored the third game on my PS4 pro. Something about God of War 3 just going all the way on this mad destructive rampage really left me in awe. It has multiple incredible set pieces and Kratos truly becomes a vengeful monster in this game. The different weapons all felt amazing, it looked unreal at 60fps on PS4 pro and just was an all round epic experience.

I also played both psp games, which I thought were very impressive for the device, though a slight step down in all areas compared to the main trilogy. Still worthy entries though!

I did not play God of War Ascension yet, as this is the only one stuck on PS3.

I played God of War (2018) a few years later (a year or two ago), and while I did like it, I wasn't as in love with it as many other people. I felt the combat was often sluggish and the storytelling slow and meandering at times. The design of the different areas was a bit hit and miss for me. There were moments of absolute brilliance (the opening scene, Kratos carrying his unconscious son to Freya, the ending and its impact on their relationship with Freya), but felt a bit too stretched out at times. Still, with respects to presentation, graphics, acting performances and music this was an all time classic.

I now started God of War Ragnarok, and I must say I am really liking it so far. The stakes seem higher, the characters are all interesting and even the combat feels better to me (I started on the hardest difficulty, just to see how long I would be able to hold out, but it actually makes me use the different systems more precisely). I am very hopeful for this one!

I never beat the first one (I think it was the first one anyway...)

The ps2 disc had a scratch on it and the game would freeze/crash when I got to a certain part. It was the cutscene where Kratos hurls a gigantic column if anyone remembers.

I would like to eventually replay and beat that one game for some childhood redemption.

I started playing the new god of war 2018 at one point, but couldn't really get into it at the time. There was(is) an oversaturation of viking focused content at the time and I was kind of burnt out on it by that point.

I hear the new games are really good though, so I'd also like to give them an honest chance at some point.

I fucking love God of War! It's my favourite game of all time!

I played the first 3 after the 2018 reboot, then Ragnorak on ps5 on release. All are great IMO.

GoW3 was pretty special. I played the remaster on PS4 and and it is a big graphical jump from the first two after my eyes had got used to ps2 graphics again.

The sex minigames in all 3 are so very early 2000s and I loved them.

The reboot is a pretty good continuation of the combat formula, but there does feel like there is more variety in the originals.

Ragnorak stretched on a little too far, and I was fatigued by just how amazing everything looked eventually, but it was still a fun time. Just a less tight package than the very enjoyable 2018 Gow.

I have only played the two GoW games on PSP and the canon game that came out on Java phones so my experience is pretty limited but I loved the games that I played.

I haven't played any of the rebooted games but heard they have an amazing story, particularly the first one. Sadly, it's too expensive...