God of War: Ascension: PS3 Prison of the Damned Demo preview

God of War: Ascension: PS3 Prison of the Damned Demo preview

It's a phenomenally popular series, but it's one that I've not previously spent heaps of time playing, to be frank.

So, when the offer of some hands on time with the seventh instalment of the series came in (there's been six previously and I've not played them all???) I have to admit to having had my interest piqued. The latest, God of War: Ascension is to all intents and purposes, a prequel to the series and expands out the mythology of Kratos and how he came to be God of War.

Based on the hands on time I was given (around 30 minutes) I have to admit that the God of War: Ascension: Prison of the Damned demo looks pretty, erm, damned good. And that's just the single player part of the campaign - with multiplayer being brought into the franchise for the first time.

It starts with Kratos bound and chained by all his limbs in part of a coliseum in some kind of prison area - how he got there, is at this stage unknown, though I suspect that these origins will be expanded out when the game is properly released and could potentially have something to do with his family.

Taunted by a tentacled creature (like a spider thing with stacks of legs slashing at Kratos), you're thrown straight into the demo as the Furies make their presence known to Kratos. Swirling cameras and panoramic shots give you the feel of the arena - and it's huge. Immediately, it's upto you to sway and avoid the slash attacks, and by gradually mastering these moves, Kratos becomes freed. From there on, it's up to you as Kratos to hack and slash away at hordes of baddies as you try to escape from the Prison of the Damned and get back at the creature which imprisoned you in the first place.

Visually, God of War: Ascension is nothing short of epic.

From twisting turning corridors, to walls being torn asunder as you try to negotiate them, it's got it all. In terms of the combat moves and the visuals, there's seamless integration of the various slashing moves as well as the additions of a few new tricks up Kratos' sleeves. As you attack the creatures heading your way, you build up what is in your Rage meter by combo attacks (with grading going on similar to what was recently seen in Devil May Cry). This fuelling up leads to unleashing of new attacks from Kratos himself and is a cool touch as opposed to having to wait to find a power up point in a level or purchase new powers as the game level concludes. It's also a great incentive to beat the stuffing out of anything which comes your way.

Kratos' fighting skills are also seamless - from grappling, grabbing and generally getting hands on with his enemies, there are some bloody pay-offs with heads being ripped off and kills showing off the gore quotient.

God of War: Ascension also scores for the ick factor as well. For while Kratos is platforming his way out of the jails and avoiding the hordes coming toward him, there's flies which attack him. Sure, swatting flies with Kratos' Blades and stomping on them are easy enough (and great fodder for the rage meter) but when these ugly bugs gets hold of the other victims imprisoned in the prison, there's a kind of transformation turning the humans into half man, half bug and all angry. It's a creepy touch and one which really sets your skin on edge.

All in all, God of War: Ascension looks to be meshing together the epic feel of Roman and Greek mythology (which so enthralled me in my college years) and a good solid combat / platformer. But what it also looks like it will deliver is a rich story amongst the decimation of the hordes. It's likely to expand and enrich Kratos' back story but not at the expense of newbies to the series. With a single player campaign and a multiplayer aspect as well, it looks as if God of War: Ascension will be the mother of all games and bring Kratos to life for many who've never experienced him before. Die hard fans will be salivating at what lies ahead - and counting down the days to release.

God of War: Ascension is out March 14th on PS3.

Brand new Oblivion trailer is here

Brand new Oblivion trailer is here

A brand new Oblivion trailer has just dropped.

Starring Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Olga Kurylenko & Andrea Riseborough, it's about the fight for Earth.

Take a look at the new Oblivion trailer here.

The Guilt Trip: Movie Review

The Guilt Trip: Movie Review

Cast: Barbara Streisand, Seth Rogen
Director: Anne Fletcher

From the director of Step Up, The Proposal and 27 Dresses comes this road trip film featuring Streisand and Rogen, who executive produced.

Rogen is Andy Brewster, an inventor, who's created an environmentally friendly cleaning product and is about to embark on a series of pitches across America. When he calls in on his over protective mother Joyce (Streisand who was nominated for a Razzie for this) prior to the sales campaign, a moment of family revelation and a degree of guilt compel him to ask her along for the 8,000 km drive.

That's despite the irritant nagging and excessive worrying about his love-life.

So, in true road trip style, the pair set off on a voyage of (predictable) discovery with (inevitable) life changing repercussions.

The Guilt Trip is a road movie that's supposed to be comedy and drama. And unfortunately, it ends up being neither really.

Low on comedy, the vehicle manages more middle of the road, pleasantly predictable bickering and squabbling telemovie of the week which is likely to see you (potentially) diving for the phone after and calling your own mum and realising that in amongst all the nagging over the years, she really does love you.

Rogen is downbeat to Streisand's pitched nagging (and unfortunately, she grates so much within the first 10 minutes, she becomes irritating) and whilst there are moments when the pair come to life (notably nearer the end, there just aren't enough of them throughout the 95 minutes of film.

Very minor interactions with a supporting cast don't add much to the mix or improve the dynamic between the main duo and whilst it's all perfectly watchable, it's simply nothing more than that. Which is a real shame, because as the credits roll, there are a series of improvised riffs within the car that are funnier than anything in the rest of what's gone prior.

A disappointing script leaves a real sense of what could have been for The Guilt Trip movie - and while Rogen and Streisand gel well together and have a reasonably realistic dynamic, the tank runs empty way too early, leaving you wishing this road trip had been canned.

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Cosmopolis: DVD Review

Cosmopolis: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Icon and Roadshow Home Entertainment

Robert "Edward" Pattinson teams up with master of the slightly surreal, David Cronenberg, for Cosmopolis, the film based on Don DeLillo's novel.

He plays Packer, a mysterious billionaire who's out on a series of encounters while in his limo heading across town to get a haircut. His limo, kitted out with the most upto date tech, serves as his office and his solitude away from the world, which is starting to revolt against the excesses of capitalism.

Quite talky and eschewing references to and commentary on capitalism and technology, it takes a while to get going. It's certainly not the easiest film to watch and while it's precise and crisply directed by Cronenberg, it's certainly aloof and cold.

Reminiscent of the Occupy movements, the world outside is briefly sketched and suffers from a lack of any real connection - Pattinson's good but cold in this and support from Juliette Binoche and Paul Giamatti is welcome but adds little else to the film, which in parts is interminably slow and plodding.

All in all, Cosmopolis will really only be for Cronenberg's purists - it's got subtext but it's hard to actually care about what's transpiring on the screen.

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Searching for Sugarman: DVD Review

Searching for Sugarman: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Madman Home Entertainment

Chances are you may not have heard of Sixto Rodriguez, but you will have heard of Searching for Sugarman.

The doco's been touted for awards and is a fave with all those who've seen it.

It's the story of a musician in America called Rodriguez, whose soulful tunes hit a chord, but never really hit a chart. Until an American girl apparently took over a tape of an album to South Africa and it was a massive, massive hit.

But Rodriguez was never aware of that and ended his music career, penniless and without success. So, a couple of fans, deciding to investigate his apparent suicide, set out to find out what happened to him.

And that's where the story gets interesting.

Searching for Sugarman is an astoundingly different doco which is captivating, soulful and enduring. It's hard to talk too much about the film without giving much away but needless to say the journey is interesting, the subjects passionate and the end result is curiously uplifting and moving.

It won't ruin much to say Rodriguez is an intriguing presence and his music is certainly appealing - this doco is destined to become a fave on the small screen, so make sure you don't miss out.

Extras: Making of, trailer, Rodriguez live

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Dr Who: The Reign of Terror: DVD Review

Dr Who: The Reign of Terror: DVD Review

Rating: G
Released by BBC and Roadshow Home Entertainment

Back to the 1960s for this six part historical Dr Who serial, two episodes of which are missing, but which have been animated for this release.

Set during the French Revolution, it sees the TARDIS crew of The Doctor, Susan, Ian and Barbara thrust into the Reign of Terror. And that's really it for plot to be honest.

For a 60s historical story, it is somewhat slow and is a little stretched out over 6 episodes - with very little real tension being on show throughout. Thankfully, the animation for the missing episodes 4 and 5 add a welcome twist to the story as it's beginning to flag - but while the animation's impressive, unfortunately the sound quality of the off air recordings make it difficult to be a win. But then, that's not the fault of those crafting the DVD together - they're simply working with what they have.

Quite talky and motionless, the story itself takes some time to get in to. Thankfully, a few of the extras add a bit more to the overall feel of the release, from docos and galleries of the animations (Why no doco on them though?) but it's not a spectacular release by the range's standards.

Extras: Commentary, docos, information text - the usual extras

Rating:

Amour: Movie Review

Amour: Movie Review

Cast: Emmanuelle Riva, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Isabella Huppert
Director: Michael Haneke

Fresh from critical acclaim and widespread accolades, Amour arrives on NZ screens.

Haneke's Palme D'Or winning and Oscar nominated film is a heartbreaking delve into a relationship and bond strengthened by years and devastated by illness.

Georges (Trintignant) and Anne (Riva) are in their 80s and living a life of retirement. But when Anne's struck by an illness which is debilitating, their lives are irrevocably changed as Georges is reduced to carer.

In Amour, you can't help but be moved by this tale which is poignantly and sensitively told with two compelling central performances. 

Subtly layered and shot beautifully, it really gets under your skin as it plays out. It's a haunting film, which leaves you wondering what you'd do if it happened to you - and the final act's shocking denouement is likely to elicit many a gasp from the audience.

Both Riva (the oldest person to be nominated for an Oscar) and Trintignant deliver powerful performances which reek of veracity and lay bare a truth many of us may have to encounter later on in life.

Haneke's on good form in this painful to watch film (which is only painful because it powerfully pushes emotional buttons) - Amour (aka Love) is about devotion and a bond - and it's a tragic and empathetic piece which will affect you more than you may realise. 

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