(continued from previous page) ...align="left">This begs the question, how does it look when that head pops off or that torso is cut in two? The answer is incredible, as there’s no other way to describe how this game looks. This title does not look like a PSP title; it looks like it belongs on the PS2 or even the Wii. Ready at Dawn has not only crafted the best looking PSP game thus far, but likely the finest looking title the system will ever see during its lifetime. Making full use of the PSP’s processing power, the title sacrifices nothing in its transition to the handheld console. From the incredible polygon count to the sharp texture work and the expert lighting, we couldn’t stop drooling over how outstanding the game looked.

It doesn’t run like a slideshow either; we only noticed minor framerate drops during the heaviest of action. Little touches like the self-lighting Blades of Chaos or the excellent blood effects added even more to the atmosphere. We can’t stress it enough; this game is a technical showcase for the system, includes the stunning vistas and epic set pieces the console versions are known for. This is the closest we’ve seen to graphical perfection on a platform in a long, long time.

The cutscenes, outside of Crisis Core’s CG scenes, are the most cinematographic on the PSP. With extraordinary choreography and execution, the story hasn’t been slighted for the portable audience. The voice acting within game is also fantastic, perfectly on par with that of the console versions. Accompanying the cutscenes, and in fact the entire game, are the musical compositions that we’ve come to know and love. Although there was only 15 minutes of new music recorded for Chains of Olympus, old tracks have been remixed to feel fresh once again.

Ready at Dawn Studios launched their first game, Daxter, in 2006. The title brought the PS2 franchise to the portable scene with style. Showcasing the PSP’s incredible graphical prowess, the game remained markedly enjoyable. We don’t know how they did it, but Ready at Dawn has outdone itself, creating a true console experience on the go. God of War: Chains of Olympus isn’t bound by the typical restrictions of the PSP, as the developers have craftily sidestepped the handheld’s control limitations and somehow managed to push visual fidelity through the roof. As a result, God of War: Chains of Olympus is one of the best games the PSP has ever seen. Well done Ready at Dawn, well done.