It’s time to relive the experience all over again. Play as the brutal warrior Kratos on his quest for revenge against the gods. Take part in the carnage by leading Kratos on a bloody journey through God of War® and God of War® II. It’s all in this single guide!

® Detailed Maps for every area in both games.

Comprehensive Walkthrough WAROF GOD provides proven strategy and tactics for every puzzle and enemy encounter.

Complete listing of every Trophy for both games. Get the lowdown on what it takes to unlock them all! ® COLLECTION

®

Learn how to unlock Bonus Costumes & complete the Challenge of the Gods and Challenge of the Titans.

Game-tested tactics to take down every Boss! COVERS BOTH GAMES! BOTH COVERS

$19.99 US/$22.99 CAN/£12.99 Net UK

www.bradygames.com GAME URL Michael Lummis God of War is a registered trademark and the Santa Monica Studio Logo is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment ® America Inc. “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks and “PS3” logos are trademarks of COVERS PLAYSTATION 3 COMPUTER Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

GoW Collection Cover 1185-2 1 11/2/09 3:18:16 PM CONTENTS

IntroductIon: cry Havoc! ...... 2

tHe Legend of Kratos ...... 3

tHe oLympIans couLd use some HeLp...... 4

traInIng for War ...... 6

Weaponry ...... 14

magIc of tHe gods ...... 22

BestIary ...... 28

WaLKtHrougH ...... 36

secrets of tHe past ...... 104

GoW1 00 FM.indd 1 11/5/09 10:04:17 AM Cry Havoc!

God of War III is almost here and fans of the series are eagerly anticipating its arrival. Sometimes the Fates are merciful and in this case they’ve provided a treat to pass the time. The God of War Collection brings all the glory of the series’ first two games to the PS3 with improved graphics and all the action you will so fondly remember.

It’s time to relive the best moments of both titles and those of you with high-end entertainment systems will see a huge difference in the quality of the game’s graphics. And for those who didn’t play either game, well, you’re in for a huge treat!

Time hasn’t made either game any easier, especially when playing on God Mode. Both titles are still a test of any gamer’s skill, but this guide will help steer you through every trying situation. It provides a clean run through of both games, detailing all the chests, bonus experience, weapon upgrade strategies, and more. Whether you’re a returning player or a novice, this guide is an all-in-one resource to master God of War.

After giving a brief introduction to the series, we’ll take you on a guided tour of the original God of War. After covering everything possible for that release, the guide moves into God of War II. And without further adieu, let’s begin!

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GoW1 00 FM.indd 2 11/5/09 10:04:37 AM Bestiary

Learning about the game’s enemies makes a huge difference. These foes have weaknesses to exploit and knowing the proper weapon combinations and evasive maneuvers make it much easier to complete the game. This knowledge really comes into play when playing on God Mode, as enemies cause much more damage. Read on to learn the tricks of the trade.

The Enemy Entry Box

1 Enemy Name 6 Throws/Damage 9 Statue Shakeout Time This is, quite simply, the name of the enemy. Some enemies are instantly killed when thrown. Other enemies (when sufficiently weakened) How long will it take a given enemy to shake out from stone form? This is where you find out. face a Context-Sensitive attack when grappled. This offers what options are available. 2 Enemy Image 10 Defense Tactics 7 Stone Resistance Get a quick glance at the enemy to make sure you’re looking at the correct entry. Some enemies have specific types of defense that you’ll need to be aware of. If you see “Block Some enemies are strong against an attack from a Gorgon’s Gaze (a higher number indicates a & Counter” for instance, they may block your attack and immediately throw one of their own. Be stronger resistance) and some are outright immune. ready to evade if your attack is blocked. 3 Hit Points The different enemies have a wide variance of Hit Point totals depending on when you face them 8 Statue Damage 11 Description Box and what type of enemy it is. Along with the numerical reference, the Omega Bar gives a visual This is an indicator of how much damage is necessary to shatter an enemy while they’re in guide showing how high (or low) on the chain they are in terms of HP. A bit of information about the enemy, what their attacks are, how to defeat them, and even more stone form. information is provided within this box. 4 Orb Chart If an enemy releases orbs, there’s a good chance that they provide different amounts depending on how you ultimately kill them. Some enemies can be “stoned” with the head of Euryale and then shattered while in stone form. This often provides a great boost to orbs. Also, a Context- 5 1 Sensitive kill usually provides more orbs than a straight out death by beat down. 4 6 The Orb Chart shows three distinct bar charts indicating how many orbs are released for specific 7 types of kills: 1) One for killing an enemy straight out with physical or magic attacks, 2) Another 8 for a Context-Sensitive kill, and 3) The last, showing how many orbs are released when the 9 enemy is shattered while in stone form. 10 3 2 5 Mini-Game 11 If an enemy can be killed with a Context-Sensitive attack, this is a quick description of what to expect with the type of CS Attack.

ORBS GAINED MINI-GAME Eye Impale CYCLOPS ENFORCER THROWS/DAMAGE Low health DEATH 50 N/A CS KILL HIT POINTS ORB STONE RESISTANCE 20,000 STATUE DAMAGE 20 130 75 STATUE SHAKEOUT TIME 5 seconds STONE SHATTER DEFENSE TACTICS Tank

This creature can absorb a lot of damage before the mini-game prompt will appear. Avoid this creature’s spiked ball by rolling away from it, then move forward and attack it.

ORBS GAINED MINI-GAME Eye Pull CYCLOPS BRUTE THROWS/DAMAGE Dizzy DEATH 75 N/A CS KILL HIT POINTS ORB STONE RESISTANCE 14,000 STATUE DAMAGE 15 300 100 STATUE SHAKEOUT TIME 5 seconds STONE SHATTER DEFENSE TACTICS Tank

This creature is a stronger version of the cyclops. Although it lacks a ranged attack, it is faster when unleashing its attacks.

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GoW1 02 Bestiary.indd 26 11/9/09 11:26:25 AM It is unclear how Kratos reached this point of no return, but the story must be an epic one. As the great warrior leaps from a cliff, we drift into the past and begin to learn about him. The focus shifts three weeks into the past, to a warship on the Aegean Sea.

I The AegeAn SeA

Enemies in the Region O Undead Legionnaire O Undead Archer O Harpy O Hydra Head O Hydra

Area Summary

Health Chests 5

Magic Chests 1

Combination Chests N/A

Red Chests 6 Second Mini Hydra Gorgon Eyes 2

Phoenix Feathers N/A

Muse Keys N/A Mini Hydra

Starting Point

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GoW1 03 walk 01.indd 39 11/9/09 3:25:43 PM ough oyAge After several waves of Undead Legionnaires, a hatch opens and more foes A R V attack. The fight reaches its climax at this point. Instead of fighting about four undead at a time, there are now eight! Practice using the right stick Kratos is on a warship with soldiers to roll away from enemies. This keeps Kratos away from the bulk of his and sailors, but they’re all tied up foes, making it easier to pick off stragglers. trying to defend themselves from undead and more dire threats. Give everyone Some Love

Switch targets during your attacks. Kratos temporarily stuns some enemies with his attacks. It’s safer to beat down everyone at once, because they all take damage and have trouble counterattacking.

Once the deck is clear, approach the hatch and rapidly press T to open it. Drop into the bowels of the ship and look for a green chest, which contains orbs of health. Open the chest (also with T) to heal Kratos. If you’re at full health, leave the chest and return later for healing when it’s needed. There are also barrels in the room; destroy them using the Blades of Chaos to gain bonus experience.

Four against one—not good odds!

Immediately, four Undead Legionnaires attack. More spawn as you defeat them (they climb over the side of the ship). These light enemies stand no chance against Kratos, but there are many ways to fight them and it Destructible Objects certainly makes a difference which method you choose.

o Use long combos of attacks. Almost all destructible objects are worth trashing. Barrels, doors, barricades, and similar obstacles are worth a modest amount of o Knock enemies off the ship if they’re near the edge. experience. Kratos’ light attacks are best for clearing most items, o For maximum experience, grab each Undead Legionnaire and defeat but heavy attacks are good for hitting larger things or objects low to them by tapping L repeatedly. the ground.

Take the corridor to the right and proceed after looting the room. Farther down the line is a Hydra Head! You can’t even see the body of this great beast. The monster has broken through part of the ship and is blocking the remainder of the route.

This is a great time to practice blocking and evading. As previously noted, the right stick rolls Kratos in the direction the button is pressed. In addition to this defensive technique, blocking with Q handles all light attacks and some heavy blows. Hold Q to maintain your block. Kratos won’t move from his position while blocking unless an extremely heavy attack pushes him around.

If you wait until an attack is about to land, Kratos can parry an attack. Tap the button to block and watch the action briefly slow down; that’s the sign that the parry was successful. This disrupts enemy attacks, plus it leaves them vulnerable to counters.

Careful blocking ensures an easier fight.

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GoW1 03 walk 01.indd 40 11/9/09 3:26:17 PM This fight with the Hydra Head serves as a warm-up to the more difficult The ghosT of spARTA INTRODUCTION battles that loom ahead.

1. Watch for the Hydra Head to pull its head back. This indicates that an After crossing the beams, jump through the damaged edge of the ship. attack is imminent. Talk to the prisoner trapped in a cell. After speaking to him, climb the 2. Block until the attack fails, then push forward to respond with light stairs near his cell. Loot the red chest at the top of the stairs and continue.

attacks. BACKGROUND 3. Roll forward if the Hydra’s attack pushes Kratos too far back. Walk through the corridor until you get outside. There is a scene of chaos on the deck. Harpies are carrying off the sailors and you must fight them. 4. Repeat until the Hydra reaches half health. You can hit the sailors with your attacks (and there isn’t a penalty for You can usually get three or four light attacks between each bite, and doing so!). it’s possible to cancel light attacks into a block (making this the safest THE STORY maneuver for dangerous fights). At half health, a circle appears over the Open the doors at the end of the ship to find two red chests. Open them L creature’s head. Press to leap onto the creature. Watch the top of the and prepare to fight another Hydra Head. This Hydra appears in the screen and press the indicated buttons as soon as they appear. center of the screen. If the beast snatches Kratos with its mouth, just tap L rapidly to escape. Kratos deals extremely high damage to the Hydra and slams it onto the deck, stunning it briefly. B ASICS W

There are balancing beams behind the Hydra’s position. Walk across EA p them to reach the next part of the ship. If you fall off, quickly tap K to ONS recover. The Hydra has two other attacks. One is a long swipe of its head. This covers most of the deck, but it can be blocked. The other attack involves a set of three head bashes. MAGIC BESTIARY WALKTHROUGH

Starting Point SECRETS

Archer Box Puzzle

Hidden Treasure

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GoW1 03 walk 01.indd 41 11/9/09 3:26:49 PM A Mortal Betrayal

Rhodes

Kratos, the once-mortal warrior, became the new God of War by defeating Ares. But high on Mount Olympus, Kratos was shunned by many of his fellow Gods. However, he had no need for their love or attention. He had found a new family in the warriors of Sparta, gaining what solace he could find from his past in the carnage of battle. And so he went to Rhodes to deliver the final blow to the besieged city.

However, the gods were apparently conspiring against Kratos. It appears that the goddess Athena stripped away much of his godly powers, rendering him like a mortal once more—although that seems like something that would be beyond her powers. Also, it seemed odd that Athena would choose to use a lightning attack to do so. Regardless, the “goddess Athena” took the form of a sea eagle and flew to the Colossus of Rhodes, a monolithic statue overlooking the harbor erected in the likeness of the Greek God Helios where it was transformed into an animated behemoth whose sole purpose was to obliterate the once mighty God of War.

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GoW2 01 Walk 01_02.indd 124 11/9/09 12:09:09 PM CONTROLLING A GOD defeat the Rhodes soldieRs 1

Stripped of his Godly powers, Kratos must once again rely on brute strength—and the magical chained WALKTHROUGH blades given to him by Athena—and slice his way through the encroaching Rhodes Soldiers. Luckily, his weapons, magic ability, and armor still retain their maximum power and experience levels amassed during his first adventure. The Betrayal ACT I The Path of Destiny ACT II Twisted Fate ACT III 1: A Mortal Betrayal Rhodes

A Mighty PAwn Controlling Kratos The Menu Screens 2: A Colossal Battle

With Athena’s Blades, Kratos By pressing M any time Rhodes has a wide variety of attacks during gameplay, you can and moves at his disposal. Now pause the game and pull up is the time to become familiar the Menu Screens. These with all his abilities before the screens allow you to equip enemy onslaught becomes too and power-up Kratos’ 3: The Belly of the Beast overwhelming to handle. You can weapons and magic, view the

reference the complete move list items he’s acquired, access Rhodes for Kratos’ weapons and abilities detailed move lists for his in the “Controlling a God” weapons, and check the status chapter earlier in this book. A of your game by viewing a brief rundown and/or refresher variety of statistics. is within the tutorial messages that appear on screen as you play (these messages can be toggled off, if you like, via the Options BESTIARY menu). Finally, press M to pause the game and pull up the Menu Screens; use Q and S to cycle through the various menus until you come to the Moves Menu. Use the left stick or directional buttons to view and manage Kratos’ currently available/unlocked moves list. OF THE GODS TREASURES

Objectives 1 2 3

Defeat the Exit the Temple Battle against Rhodian Guard the Colossus of Rhodes - Part 1

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GoW2 01 Walk 01_02.indd 125 11/9/09 12:10:13 PM RHODES TEMPLE into the hAll Once Kratos has defeated the guards inside the antechamber, Colossus approach the gate to the right and press S while standing in front of it. As soon as he has grabbed hold of the gate, rapidly tap L to lift it over Kratos’ head.

Item Interaction

Many items and objects in the environment, such as chests, gates, and doors, can be interacted with and manipulated in some way. Many times, these items sparkle with a white light to give you a visual indication. To interact with an item, Start approach it and press S then follow any on-screen prompts that may appear.

The Rhodes Soldiers attack with The fight continues out in the hallway. Outside, the Colossus looks on in vengeance. Show them no mercy. anticipation and frustration. Don’t worry, Kratos will face this behemoth I initiates normal attacks, J soon enough. Continue practicing his wide variety of attacks and combos, executes heavy attacks, and L such as Tartarus Rage (hold Q + J) or Rampage of the Furies (hold Q grabs enemies. Press and hold Q + L). Kratos can also launch an enemy into the air by holding J and to block an attack and press the then grab them once in mid-air by pressing L. In addition to his chained right analog stick in any direction to blades, Kratos can also employ the magic of the Gods by holding R and perform an evade maneuver. then tapping L.

Rhodes Soldiers Poseidon’s Rage

These guards are Rhodes’ first line of defense and have been trained Granted to him during his last adventure, Kratos can call on the in the art of hand-to-hand combat. Even though they are armed magic of the Gods to smite his enemies. At the moment, he possesses with broadswords and equipped with armor and shields, they are no Poseidon’s Rage, which allows him to attack multiple enemies at match for Kratos’ raw power. Their only chance against this mighty once. The blue meter in the Blade Icon in the top left corner of the warrior is to flank him in an attempt to surround and overwhelm screen depletes a bit every time Kratos uses magic. It can only be him with sheer numbers. replenished by finding Blue Orbs.

exit the temple 2 A PAth exPosed At the end of the hall, the Colossus slams a fist through the windows, Kratos needs to find a way out of this antechamber in order to escape creating a hole in the wall on the the Rhodes Soldiers and confront the Colossus outside. The only way to opposite side. It also grabs a hapless continue on is to head through the gate barring his path. guard who was caught cowering in its path.

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GoW2 01 Walk 01_02.indd 126 11/9/09 12:11:04 PM GOD OF WAR® COLLECTION

Official Strategy Guide

Written by Michael Lummis

God of War is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. ©2009 Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

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BradyGAMES StAff Credits Publisher Title Manager Production Designers David Waybright Tim Cox Wil Cruz Editor-In-Chief H. Leigh Davis Screenshot Editor Tracy Wehmeyer Michael Owen Licensing Manager Mike Degler Book Designers Map Illustrations Marketing Manager Dan Caparo Argosy Publishing Debby Neubauer International Translations Keith Lowe Brian Saliba Marketing Coordinator Autumne Bruce Team Coordinator 288 Stacey Beheler

GoW2 03 Secrets.indd 288 11/9/09 11:23:18 AM