Finally played through the original God of War.

Use of Icarus instead of Daedalus.

Honestly, that's the only problem I have with it.

I couldn't stand GOW2 because it just felt like a uncompelling rehash of the first game with uninteresting additions (hated the flying segments). I didn't even bother finishing it.

Haha. You hadn't played the first God of War until now? Wow.

Anyway, I honestly didn't have a huge issue with the platforming in that game. Though I will agree that the Hades section in there was just... ridiculous to say the least. I think that's why they just have you jump in and jump right back out again from then on (or at least in GoW2).

I'll tell you right now that the controls in 2, while largely the same, do have some differences that may take some getting used to. Specifically, some of the awesome combos you could do in the first game aren't there anymore and have been replaced with other ones. I'm not far enough in to determine whether these replacement or updated combos are as good as the originals yet, but I know I was sad when I couldn't spam the "launch into air and do a million swirling slashes" attack anymore.

EDIT: I like the flying segments, or at least the ones when you're on Pegasus. Like I said, not very far in so I never even got the Icarus Wings yet. But I felt that those sections, at least, added something unique to the game, which, as genj said really is sort of a rehash of the first. I really don't mind that too much, though.

And, just for clarification's sake, I'm not that far in because my PS2 controllers at home are a load of shit and break like every two months, so we need new ones (again) as the analog sticks no longer register increases in movement, which makes doing QTEs involving several complete rotations of the analog stick very difficult.

It's less greek.

I mean, it's got all the references, but it lacks the epicness of the first game. You spend most, if not all, of the game in one location so... well... where's the journey?

The platforming was rough the first time I played God of War (I obviously didn't mind), but then the second time, it's like I knew how to breeze through it even though it had been five years. That was weird, but cool.

Then again, NES Ninja Gaiden is a breeze for me nowadays. I guess hard-learned motor skills really do stick with us.

//Zig

I'm playing the remastered PS3 versions, so here's another question: Did you have to mash R2 to open stuff in the original, or was it re-mapped in the new version? I can picture that working fairly well on the old controller, but tapping on that fucking marshmallow trigger is a mechanic that should be banned from all future PS3 games. Thankfully, from the fifteen or so minutes I've played of the second one, they fixed it.

WQ: I'd only played bits and pieces of it until now.

I didn't even realize this wasn't a discussion about Gears of War until platforming was brought up... That's what I get for skimming.

Though, to contribute to the discussion, I will say I have yet to play any of the GoW games as well. I never had a desire to do so when they first came out, and I still don't. Maybe 10 or 15 years from now.

You did have to mash the button, but it was hella easier on the PS2 controller. Doing it on the PS3 sucked.

//Zig

That's a negatory. You had to hold R1 to open chests and stuff, or mash O.

I thought you had to mash to open doors? That's what I thought Suskie was asking about. Maybe I'm remembering wrong. Either way, it was easier on PS2.

//Zig

Yeah, some doors need you to mash O, like the one Kratos introduces to Theseus' face. The rest, hold R1.