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‘God of War: Chains of Olympus’ brings mythic gaming to your PSP

Sony PlayStation Portable gamers in search of an intense, action-packed adventure — with graphics so good you’d swear it was a console game — should run out and buy “God of War: Chains of Olympus.”

It might be on the short side, and with content only suitable for players age 17 and older, but without question this hand-held game is one of the finest PSP titles ever created.

As with its PlayStation 2 predecessors, you play as Kratos, a Spartan warrior, who battles mythological creatures with the aid of a double-bladed weapon chained to his wrists.

“Chains of Olympus” serves as a prequel to the first game, before Kratos achieves the status of a god after defeating the powerful Ares. The tale begins seaside in Attica, where Kratos helps defend the city against unremitting Persian forces.

To give you an idea what you’re in for, Kratos faces off against huge boss fighters early in the game, including a massive fire-breathing lizard-like creature that attacks him on an outdoor terrace. You must duck, roll and jump to avoid its sharp claws and bites, leap over its fiery breath and whack it with your chained blades. Eventually you’ll be prompted to press buttons in a specific sequence to pull giant columns down on the creature’s head to render it unconscious.

Speaking of controlling Kratos, not only does “Chains of Olympus” look like a console game, but it feels like one, too, thanks to the game’s clever use of the analog stick to help Kratos fight, run, climb, swim and solve some puzzles.

The puzzles, however, are fairly basic, featuring “Zelda”-like environmental challenges, such as pushing or pulling crates and then jumping on them to reach high areas.

“Chains of Olympus” also offers deadly magic attacks and special midair moves, all of which are unlocked by spending points to increase Kratos’ skills. While fighting, our muscle-bound hero will start to lose health and magic, but these meters can be replenished by finding green and blue orbs, respectively, usually found in chests and crates. Special items can also be collected and used to increase Kratos’ power, including five Gorgon Eyes that will increase Kratos’ overall health or five Phoenix Feathers to extend Kratos’ magic meter.

Aside from simple puzzles, the only other issue is relatively short game play at about five hours or so. But after playing the game on any of the three difficulty levels, a fourth hard (“God”) mode is unlocked, plus there are other goodies to find on the disc, too.

Also, take heed to the Mature rating on the box as the game is violent and gory, and includes a simulated sex scene with Kratos and two women, though the act is heard rather than seen on-screen.

Minor shortcomings aside, “God of War: Chains of Olympus” is an extraordinary good — and good-looking — action game for PSP players.

‘God of War: Chains of Olympus’

Platform: Sony PlayStation Portable

Web Site: http://www.godofwar.com

Price: $39.99

Rating: Mature

Score: 4.5 stars (out of 5)