God Of War - Ascension -europe Australia- -enfr...

Here’s a review for God of War: Ascension (European/Australian version, marked as En/Fr for English and French language options):

Title: A Stunning Prequel That Stumbles Under the Weight of Legacy
Version Reviewed: God of War: Ascension (Europe/Australia – En/Fr)
Platform: PS3

The Short Verdict:
God of War: Ascension is a visual and technical marvel on the PS3, but it’s the weakest entry in the Greek saga. As a prequel, it adds little to Kratos’ character while struggling with frustrating combat changes and pacing issues. The European/Australian release runs smoothly, offers full English and French text/audio, but can’t escape the feeling of franchise fatigue.

Graphics & Performance (9/10) – On PS3, this is still jaw-dropping. From the snake-like prison of the Furies to the fluid sandstorms, Ascension pushes the hardware to its limit. The European/Australian version runs at a stable framerate (mostly) and includes the same uncensored content as the US release. Gorgeous, even today.

Story & Setting (5/10) – Set six months after Kratos killed his family, this explores his broken oath to Ares. Unfortunately, the narrative is forgettable. The Furies are bland villains, and the time-manipulation amulet (Oath Stone) is a neat idea but underutilized. Kratos’ rage feels less focused here, and the prequel suffers because we already know where he ends up.

Gameplay (6/10) – The core hack-and-slash is solid, but two major changes hurt it:

The Rage Meter – Instead of a magic bar, Rage builds with your combo. Get hit, and it drains fast. In harder fights, you’ll rarely access your special abilities, making combat feel less rewarding.
Multiplayer (Now dead or barren) – The online mode was ambitious (customizable Spartan/Easterling/Trojan), but servers are mostly empty today. The single-player campaign is the main draw, and it’s shorter than God of War III (roughly 7–9 hours).

The set-pieces are fantastic (fighting a giant statue’s hand, riding a submerged creature), but the trial-and-error platforming and repetitive enemy waves wear thin.

Audio & Languages (8/10) – The European/Australian version includes both English and French voiceovers and subtitles. The English dub is the usual stellar performance (TC Carson as Kratos), while the French dub is competent, if less iconic. Music by Tyler Bates is epic but not as memorable as earlier scores by Gerard Marino.

Localization Note (Europe/Australia) – This version is region-free for PS3, supports 1080p, and includes English/French manuals. Unlike some early EU PS3 games, there’s no PAL/NTSC issue, and DLC (skins, multiplayer packs) was compatible across most accounts, though the store is now legacy.

Final Score: 6.5/10

Should you play it?

Yes if you’re a hardcore fan of the series or want to see every bit of Kratos’ backstory.
No if you’re new to the franchise – start with God of War III Remastered or God of War (2018).
Maybe if you can find it cheap (under $10/€8) and want a few hours of gorgeous, frustrating action.

For European/Australian players: The language options are appreciated, and performance is solid. Just don’t expect the peak of the series – think of Ascension as a beautiful, unnecessary epilogue to a story that already ended perfectly.

The European and Australian versions of God of War: Ascension

for the PlayStation 3 were released in March 2013. Depending on the specific product code (SKU) on your disc or digital download, you will have access to different language combinations. Regional Language Content

The European and Australian releases are typically divided into two main versions based on their disc codes: BCES 01741 (Multilingual Version) : This is the most common version for and includes a wide range of languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian , Portuguese, Polish, Dutch, Greek, Turkish, and Russian. BCES 01742 (English Only)

: Some regional releases, particularly those intended for the UK or specific Australian retail

, may only include the English language tracks and text to save space. Audio and Text God of War - Ascension -Europe Australia- -EnFr...

: Supported languages for these regions typically include English (EU/AU) and French for both speech and subtitles, provided you have the multilingual version. Version Specifics Release Dates Mainland Europe : March 13, 2013. : March 14, 2013. United Kingdom : March 15, 2013. Storage Requirements

: The digital version from the PlayStation Store requires approximately 75GB of free space for installation and occupies about once installed. Special Editions : The European and Australian regions received both a Special Edition (Steelbook, Soundtrack, and Dynamic Theme) and a Collector's Edition (including a Kratos statue and a DLC pass). Gameplay Overview

God of War: Ascension, how much space do i really need? : r/PS3

Released in March 2013, God of War: Ascension is the seventh installment in the legendary franchise and serves as a prequel to the entire Greek saga. This specific regional version—the Europe/Australia PAL edition (often identified by Product Code BCES-01741)—is highly sought after by collectors and international players due to its comprehensive multi-language support, including English (En) and French (Fr). A Prequel of Vengeance and Redemption

Set six months after Kratos was tricked into killing his wife and daughter by Ares, Ascension explores the mortal Spartan’s struggle to break his blood oath to the God of War. Imprisoned and tortured by the three Furies—the enforcers of punishment—Kratos must fight for his freedom and sanity in a story that humanizes the Ghost of Sparta more than any previous entry. Regional Features: Europe & Australia (PAL)

The European and Australian versions are essentially identical in terms of content and technical specifications. SerialStation BCES-01741 - God of War: Ascension - SerialStation

God of War: Ascension is a prequel to the original trilogy, set six months after Kratos was tricked into murdering his family. It is the first and only title in the franchise to include a competitive and cooperative online multiplayer mode. Key Gameplay Features

Promptless Free-Form Combat: Replaces standard button prompts for some mini-games and finishers, requiring players to time attacks or dodges based on enemy animations.

World Weapons System: Kratos can pick up and use secondary weapons found in the environment—such as swords, spears, clubs, and shields—and incorporate them into mid-air or ground combos.

Life Cycle Mechanic: Allows players to manipulate time for puzzle-solving or to freeze enemies during combat.

Shadow Duplicate: Using the Oath Stone of Orkos, Kratos can create a shadow version of himself to hold levers, depress plates for puzzles, or assist in battle.

Chapter Select: A first for the series, this allows you to replay specific levels after completing them. Multiplayer Mode Details

The multiplayer component features 8-player objective-based combat where players create a custom gladiator.

Godly Allegiances: Players choose to align with Zeus, Ares, Poseidon, or Hades to gain unique powers, armor, and weapon sets. Featured Modes:

Team Favor of the Gods: 4v4 matches focused on killing opponents, capturing altars, and securing map objectives like killing Titans.

Trial of the Gods: A co-op survival mode for up to two players against five waves of mythological monsters and a boss. Here’s a review for God of War: Ascension

Match of Champions & Bout of Honor: Solo and 1v1 deathmatch modes for competitive play.

Progression: Includes an "Ascension" prestige feature, allowing players to reset allegiance progression at level 40 to earn exclusive "Godly" gear. European & Australian Editions

The game was released in various editions in these regions, such as the Special Edition and Collector's Edition:

Steelbook Case: Premium packaging included in both special versions.

Kratos Statue: An 8-inch figure exclusive to the Collector's Edition.

Digital Content: Includes the official soundtrack, a PS3 dynamic theme, an avatar pack, and a Double XP pass for multiplayer.

DLC Season Pass: Access to all post-launch multiplayer map and armor updates.

For players in Europe and Australia , the physical release of God of War: Ascension

(PS3, 2013) typically included a multi-language printed manual or insert featuring English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian.

The following "paper" captures the essential documentation found in those regional manuals, covering the setup, basic controls, and core mechanics required to start Kratos' prequel journey. God of War: Ascension – Quick Start Guide (EN/FR) 1. Safety & Setup / Installation & Sécurité Disc Care:

Ensure the disc is clean before inserting it into your PlayStation 3 system. 5GB of free space is required for the initial installation. Online Pass:

Australian and European retail copies typically included a paper insert with a 12-digit code to activate Multiplayer features via the PlayStation Store. 2. Controls / Commandes (Single Player) Button (EN) Bouton (FR) Left Stick Stick Gauche Dodge/Roll Right Stick Stick Droit Light Attack Heavy Attack Jump / Double Jump Croix / X, X Grapple / Throw Interact / Open Chests R1 (Maintenir) 3. Gameplay Mechanics / Mécaniques de Jeu Blades of Chaos: Kratos’ primary weapon. Upgrade these using found in chests or by defeating enemies. World Weapon System:

A new feature allowing Kratos to pick up secondary weapons (Swords, Clubs, Shields) from the environment by pressing Life & Magic: Green Orbs: Replenish Health. Blue Orbs: Replenish Magic. White Orbs: Fill the Rage Meter. Rage Meter:

Filling the meter allows for more powerful elemental attacks. Active elemental types include Fire of Ares, Ice of Poseidon, Lightning of Zeus, and Soul of Hades. 4. Multiplayer Overview / Multijoueur

Ascension is the first in the series to feature online combat. Allegiance:

Players choose to serve one of four gods—Ares, Hades, Zeus, or Poseidon—each providing different abilities and equipment. Title: A Stunning Prequel That Stumbles Under the

Combat ranges from 1v1 duels to 4v4 team-based "Favor of the Gods" matches. 5. Story Background / Synopsis

Set six months after Kratos was tricked into killing his wife and daughter, he has broken his blood oath to the god Ares. He is now hunted and imprisoned by the

, the guardians of honor and punishers of oath-breakers. Kratos must escape the Prison of the Damned to begin his quest for freedom. Common Regional Technical Details: Title (EU/AU): God of War: Ascension (also known as Voskhozhdenie in some regions). Product Code: BCES-01741 for standard Australian/European editions. Age Rating: in Australia and in Europe due to strong violence. Collectible locations for your playthrough?

V. Conclusion: The Necessary Failure

In retrospect, God of War: Ascension is the most important failure of the franchise. For the Europe/Australia region, it served as a cautionary tale: you cannot repeat the same note of rage indefinitely and expect a standing ovation. The game’s limited linguistic release (“-EnFr…”) inadvertently symbolized its own limitations—a story that could only speak to a narrow audience, a multiplayer that could not cross latency barriers, a prequel that refused to say anything new.

Yet without Ascension, there would be no 2018 God of War. The quiet, introspective father-son journey that revitalized the series is a direct reaction to the excesses of Ascension. Kratos had to be chained—again, for the fourth time—for the developers to realize that the only true freedom was to leave Greece behind.

For the player in Europe or Australia who sat through the credits of Ascension, listening to the somber orchestral echoes of the Furies’ theme in English or French, the feeling was not triumph. It was exhaustion. And in that exhaustion, a strange peace: the understanding that some gods do not fall in a blaze of glory, but simply fade away, bound by oaths no one remembers. Ascension is not a great game. But it is a great lesson—written in two languages, played across two continents, and felt as a single, aching silence where rage used to be.

The Oracle's Vision

In the heart of ancient Greece, where the whispers of the gods still lingered in the air, Kratos stood before the Oracle. The sacred temple, nestled between towering columns of marble and gold, seemed to hum with the energy of forgotten prophecies. Kratos, bound by his chains of servitude to Ares, sought answers.

The Oracle, her eyes veiled in a misty shroud, spoke in a voice that was both ancient and timeless. "Kratos, son of Zeus, your path is fraught with blood and fire. The flames of Olympus dance within you, but so too does the darkness of your own heart."

Kratos's gaze narrowed, his hand instinctively reaching for the Blades of Chaos that hung at his back. "Tell me, what is this destiny you speak of? How can I break free from Ares's grasp?"

The Oracle's vision began to swirl, images flashing before Kratos's eyes: the burning of villages, the screams of the fallen, and the endless battles that had come to define his existence. "Your rage is a forge, Kratos. It can shape you into a weapon of great destruction or consume you entirely."

As the Oracle's words faded, Kratos felt the familiar stirrings of fury. Yet, for a moment, he hesitated. The weight of his servitude, the endless slaughter at Ares's behest, bore down upon him. In that moment of pause, a glimmer of a different path seemed possible.

But the moment passed, and Kratos's face hardened into the resolute mask of a warrior. "I will find a way," he vowed, his voice low and deadly. "I will shatter these chains and unleash my wrath upon Ares."

The Oracle's vision faded, leaving Kratos to ponder the path ahead. The journey would be fraught with peril, but with every step, he edged closer to his goal: freedom from Ares and the vengeance that had driven him for so long.

End of Piece

God of War: Ascension — Europe & Australia Release Overview (EN / FR)

Part 3: The Legendary Multiplayer – A Series First

Ascension was the only God of War game to feature a competitive multiplayer mode. For PAL region players with the EnFr disc, online functionality is identical to global servers, though the manual includes French localization for controls.