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‘God of War II’ shines as last great game for PS2

You’d think overthrowing the Greek god of war would be enough for one lifetime.

But not for Kratos, star of the runaway PlayStation 2 hit “God of War,” a mythological masterpiece that sold more than 1.5 million copies after its 2005 debut and cemented itself into popular culture as possibly the greatest fighting game ever made. No, sitting on his throne on Mount Olympus — surrounded by honeys while surveying the world’s battlefields — is not enough for the Spartan warrior-turned-god.

Even after the first game, in which Kratos wandered the ancient world in search of a way to overthrow Ares and claim the war-god title, our unlikely hero still thirsts for more. Championing his former Spartan brethren, he leads them from victory to victory until finally, the other gods grow nervous and strip him of his godly powers.

Human again and back in the mortal world, Kratos has made an enemy of Zeus himself, and sets out on the road to revenge. Thus begins “God of War II,” possibly the last great PS2 game.

Honestly, it’s hard to imagine any game pushing the limits of the PS2 further than the original “God of War.” Yet the sequel manages to improve upon the original in every way: smoothing out graphics, streamlining moves and adding depth to an already impressive plot.

For those of us rapidly becoming spoiled by the PS3’s firepower (say what you will about “Gears of War” for Xbox 360, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the PS3’s “Resistance: Fall of Man”), the graphics in “God of War II” were initially disappointing. But the new game drops players immediately into the action, battling a major boss right at the outset, so gamers have little time to stand around and compare notes.

And once the initial battle subsides, keen players will find a couple of nude maidens lounging in the spa, looking for loving. It’s a carryover gag from the first game and isn’t terribly graphic, but is still suggestive enough to help push the game to an “M for Mature” rating. As if the bloodshed and violence weren’t enough.

Parents, consider that fair warning.

By the time you take a moment to breathe, you’ve forgotten that this is a last-gen game on a rapidly expiring console (it works great on the PS3, by the way, in case you were wondering).

Blood, gore and partial nudity aside, “God of War II” is an elegant game, replete with beautifully rendered imagery of the ancient world. Once again drawing on classic myths and fables for its creative plot, the game mixes characters you studied in school (such as Pegasus, the winged horse, and Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods) with inventive enemies destined to feel the business edge of your blades.

After returning to human form, Kratos must start from scratch, earning back weapons, combos and magic by killing everything that stands in his way. It’s really no different from the original — the powers have different names but act much the same, and the combo moves mix old faves and new techniques. Red orbs power your skills, while blue and green orbs replenish magic and health. You’ve been here before.

So nothing here is revolutionary — who cares? Ultimately, “God of War II” is like a pair of well-shined combat boots – no more useful than before, but infinitely more pleasing to the eye.

For players trying to squeeze one final drop of life out of their old console, we can’t imagine a more fitting retirement party.

And guess what? Rumors of a “God of War” offering for PlayStation Portable have been confirmed — thanks to a teaser advertisement on the back of the “God of War II” instruction booklet.

God of War II. 4.5 stars. PS2. $49.99. Rated “M” for Mature.