As an epic franchise thats consistently stunned PS2 players, GOW may seem an unlikely candidate for the PSP treatment. But while shoehorning the experience on to a UMD sounds like hideous mistake, Chains Of Olympus is the adventure PSP fans have been waiting for, and new proof of the capabilities of Sonys beleaguered handheld.
Against all odds, everything youve come to expect from GOW has been squeezed onto the PSP, including the sprawling locations, dramatic soundtrack, and deviant imagination used to bring a menagerie of mythological monsters roaring to life. Miraculously, Chains Of Olympus also improves on the PS2 control set-up; without a second analogue stick, dodging moves are now unlocked by clicking PSPs shoulder buttons, a system that makes for fluid battles as you never have to take your thumb off the attack buttons.
After months of disappointing software, its encouraging to see the PSP finding its feet again with titles such as GOW and Patapon. And while its unlikely Sonys portable will ever boast a library as richly varied as the DS, GOW is reason enough to own both handheld consoles.