Well the disappointing game has stronger legs than the very disappointing game, good. I've played both games and it saddened me how both are such wasted potentional, could have been amazing monster hits... what happened.
Mini reviews:
God of War: Ascension: It is the best looking game on consoles and has a great art style. The combat was smoother than ever but I didn't like that some moves were locked unless the rage meter was full, didn't like the new parry system, miss having alternate main weapons and the goat enemies we're just so annoying, I think hit reactions must have been a bit off because sometimes they attack me through my attacks. Sound was broken at launch, it was out of sync and I prefer the old composers although the OST is still good and the voice actors do a great job. The story is there but is poorly presented, I had to play the game a 2nd time to get the point of it all and that point isn't enough to carry a 8-9 hour game (too short btw). The multiplayer is surprisingly great, needs a little work and more support but I still don't think it was worth sacrificing the single player for, it's very difficult to make a hack 'n slash game compared to a TPS/FPS so having to make a standard campaign and an innovative new MP was too much for a team of 100 or so people to handle.
Graphics 10/10. Gameplay 9/10. Sound 8/10. Story 7/10. Multiplayer 8.5/10.
Overall: 8.5/10. Still a very good game, not up to the series' mountain high standards.
Gears of War: Judgment: Well, this game was shockingly weak. Getting the positives out of the way, I liked the gameplay and the new control layout, throwing grenades feels much better. The sound was good. The graphics are very nice, up their with the best looking PS3 exclusives. That's all the positives out of the way. The story sucked, in fact, what story? It is a short game with nothing in the way of narrative to drive the player forward, only the gameplay itself and interaction between characters makes this game bearable but without a decent story it feels pointless. The new characters are weak and poorly introduced, I dislike the arcade feel of the game with the grading thing after every level although due to having no story or flow I guess it did fit. Oh, and of course the multiplayer is a huge step down, not enough content and features needlessly changed or removed.
Graphics 9.5/10. Gameplay 9.5/10. Sound 8.5/10. Story 4/10. Multiplayer 6/10.
Overall: 7.5/10. A good game that's not up to the series' very high standards.
As for sales predictions:
Gears of War: Judgment should settle around 2+ million and God of War: Ascension at 2.5+ million. Although since a new God of War releases every year in the form of a collection, remaster or new game, I expect a budget God of War III & Ascension double pack to release in 2014 which could help edge God of War: Ascension to 3 million, that might be just for the PS4 though so in that case it wouldn't count although It'd probably be on PS3 & PS4.
I hope the next God of War & Gears of War are a return to both series' former glory.
