Wauw, the poll is almost a 5-way tie. I played through the original trilogy when they released. I also played a few hours of the reboot, it was solid enough in presentation, combat and narration, but to me the old style of action-platformer-hack-and-slash gameplay was a lot more unique. The old combat system also seemed to have more depth. A pretty consistent series overall though. I had to vote for God of War (2005), I remember how blown away I was when it released. The opening boss battle gotta be one of the most iconic in gaming history. I also really liked how you stayed in few locations for very long, really allowing the game to go in depth with these locations. 2 felt bigger and 3 felt even bigger than that, both great games, but the first one is more special to me.

For how beloved the franchise is, it’s a shame that I have yet to play any of the mainline entries. (also, 800+ votes…? Something seems off about that.)

Well, that would be a lot yes, but this poll is also on the front page, and then it's possible to vote multiple times so there is a discrepancy there. I'm not sure if front page polls can also be voted on by non-members.

No doubt the current saga is technically much superior, but as my preference goes the III is the best one as I do prefer the beat them up/hack & slash more than souls like combat of the newer ones and also the set pieces of the bosses and some battles on 3 are still unparalled.

I remember Soul Reaver that you finished the first game and instead of an ending you got a "continue in Playstation 2" that I wasn't even aware would launch because well information at that time in Brazil was scarce (and well at the time I played it PS2 was already available in Japan).

Yeah, nobody had internet/pc and rarely would we get gaming focused tv shows to properly cover gaming news.

I was still very young when the PS2 released, but I only got the PS1 after the PS2 was already released, and I had no clue about it too.

Was playing the Master System back in 1999, then 2000 I got to know the Mega Drive, SNES, N64 and PS1, 2000 was wild to me, but nothing to do with the PS2 haha

A 5 way tie, for me, demonstrates how great the series is. All 5 main games are fantastic.

When I was 3 or 4 I was playing Atari (1988-1989), my father got us a Mega Drive when I was something betwen 5-7 (so 1990-1992).

I bought my PS1 when I was 15 in jan/2000 (so PS2 was already out, but I didn't really know yet), PS2 when I was 19 around May/2004 (PS3 was rumored at that time), PS3 I was 24 in August/2009, PS4 I was 29 Apr/2014 and PS5 I was 37 Nov/2022.

We had those gaming issues in paperback, but was quite expensive for me to buy when I had my Mega Drive and when I had the PS1 then internet was available but I didn't look for news site only walkthrough.

I personally don't like the recent entries drastic changes in gameplay, camera and controls.

Of the originals, I liked 3 the most, with Ghost of Sparta being a close second (really, what a marvel of a portable game this was).

I think GOW 2018 is the best, but i'm fine with any result. I mean, God of War is the most awarded IP ever in the D.I.C.E. Awards, with over 25 awards! It's such amazing series, most games are GoTY level.