How much, or indeed how little, should a developer strive to push a series forward? While there's the benefit of reaping critical plaudits for making something old feel like something new, there's also the risk of alienating your core fan base. With God of War III, Sony's Santa Monica team has arguably played it safe with the gameplay which may attract the criticism of those hoping for a bit of evolution. However, the good news is that, while it feels very familiar, God of War III also feels like the perfect conclusion to one of Sony's most impressive series.

Right from the start of God of War III it's clear that Santa Monica Studio intends Kratos to go out with a bang. The first level of the game is one of the most spectacular to date as our hero (well, maybe that's a bit strong) finds himself caught up in the final showdown between the Titans and the Gods as the giant creatures ascend Mount Olympus with the intention of settling their age-old dispute. The scale of the conflict needs to be seen to be believed. If God of War II felt like the first game had been on a course of steroids, III has been mainlining radiation.

As you join Gaia and the Titans in climbing Olympus, it's utterly impossible not to be impressed by the enormity of, well, just about everything. From the rock-hewn Titans to Mount Olympus itself to the first boss battle of the game - as Kratos faces off against the mighty Poseidon - it's a pretty awesome spectacle. It makes you question why all games don't start the same way, despite the fact you know even Quantic Dream would struggle to write Greek Gods into Heavy Rain (Zeus is the Origami Killer!) This is Santa Monica making clear its agenda from the very beginning. Size matters, it would seem.

Kratos' pragmatic alliance with the Titans does not last of course and, before he gets the chance to take a pop at daddy, the Spartan is torn from the mountain and must begin anew. As always with God of War, you'll encounter all manner of famous faces from Greek mythology on your way, most of whom you'll end up fighting at some point. And again, as always, the developer has taken a few creative liberties with the source material. However, Santa Monica Studio has struck a clever balance in God of War III meaning, unless you have exhaustive knowledge of Greek mythology, you're unlikely to find yourself baulking at the developer's handling of the story. In fact the only major problem with the narrative in the game, is one that's been present throughout the series: Kratos is a bit of a dick. Yes, I've always found it hard to feel any affinity towards the perennially amoral Spartan – his penchant for ripping the limbs of stuff doesn't exactly make him a sympathetic character. But then, it's his limb-removal habit that makes the gameplay in God of War III so gloriously gory and, well, fun.