Kratos unbound

Stare the Spartan in the eye, at least while developers Ready at Dawn and Santa Monica Studios still have him chained up for God of War on PSP.

Kratos, the anti-hero of God of War, is soon to be unleashed on PSP. Working in conjunction with SCEA's Santa Monica Studios, developer Ready at Dawn Studios have applied their incredible PSP talent and know-how to the Spartan's handheld debut in God of War: Chains of Olympus. The result is a familiar and yet refreshing foray into the Spartan's past.

A run through of the playable demo leaves you stunned. What Ready at Dawn has achieved with God of War on PSP is phenomenal, a testament to their skill and the power of the handheld.

The frame rate of the action is very slick, capturing the whirling dervish that is Kratos perfectly. As the Spartan scythes his way through the opposition, the level of visible detail in character design and environment is thoroughly absorbing. It has been so well crafted that it is easy to take for granted as the sweeping roof top vistas of a besieged city are engulfed in flames and strife.

You can also rest assured that none of this hard work is obscured by poor camera angles. Ready at Dawn have positioned the camera so dutifully that it is not only integral to the experience but a helpful guide. At key points the camera will sweep around a scene or forwards to an objective to clearly present the path to be taken.

In terms of gameplay, the elements from the PS2 versions that earned such universal acclaim and praise are present - finishing moves that employ a rhythm action-like style, intuitive actions and responsive attacks.

Interaction with the environment in the form of puzzle solving continues to play its part. In the demo, you have to arm and fire a ballista, employ a battering ram to breach a fortress, and winch open and roll through a portcullis.

Ready at Dawn have lovingly brought Santa Monica Studios' favourite, if wayward son to PSP and it shows in the quality of every aspect of God of War: Chains of Olympus.

Kratos is unleashed on PSP next year.