Who says sequels are never as good as the originals? God of War™ II, which launched in April 2007 on PlayStation®2

Who says sequels are never as good as the originals? God of War™ II, which launched in April 2007 on PlayStation®2 (PS2™) and has sold more than half a million copies across PAL regions to date, has scooped two awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) at a ceremony in London, England. Taking awards for ‘Best Story and Character’ and ‘Best Technical Achievement’, the game, from Sony Computer Entertainment’s Santa Monica Studios, overcame stiff competition from the likes of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s very own Heavenly Sword™ (Story and Character) and Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune™ (Technical Achievement), as well as The Simpsons Game and Gears of War for Xbox 360, to land these prestigious awards.

Cory Barlog, Game Director of God of War II commented, “It’s an honour just to be mentioned alongside those other phenomenal titles. The team worked tirelessly to make this God of War even better than the first title. Our goal was to push PS2 to its limits…so we are very proud to be recognised by BAFTA for Technical Achievement. However, to create a successful franchise, you also need great gameplay, strong characters and a compelling plot and we’re equally delighted to be recognized by BAFTA for that. We hope that the forthcoming launch of God of War: Chains of Olympus on PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) will continue to expand the franchise and introduce the tale of Kratos to a whole new bunch of people.”

In addition to the BAFTA achievements, God of War II was awarded the title of ‘PlayStation Game of the Year 2007’ last week at the Golden Joysticks – an awards ceremony that allows gamers, rather than industry insiders, to cast their vote.

God of War II continues the story of Kratos, the Spartan warrior who made a life-changing pact with war god Ares that would lead to years of torment. The story has already seen Kratos make an epic journey through the Underworld of ancient Greek myth to find his own salvation. GOW II begins with Kratos sitting atop Mount Olympus as the new God of War – far more ruthless than Ares ever was. To gain respite from the torments of his past deeds, Kratos must journey to the far reaches of the earth and defeat untold horrors to alter that which no mortal, or god, has ever altered… his own fate.

Next year the God of War franchise, which has sold more than 1.5 million copies across PAL regions to date, goes portable with the March launch of God of War: Chains of Olympus on PSP. This completely new God of War title will tell the story of how Kratos became the merciless figure he is at the beginning of the first God of War, and is set to have fans on the edge of their seats as the background story unfolds.