<Li> hack and slash </Li> <Tr> <Th> Mode (s) </Th> <Td> Single - player </Td> </Tr> <P> God of War is a third - person hack and slash action - adventure video game developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE). First released on March 22, 2005, for the PlayStation 2 (PS2) console, it is the first installment in the series of the same name and the third chronologically . Loosely based on Greek mythology, it is set in ancient Greece with vengeance as its central motif . The player controls the protagonist Kratos, a Spartan warrior who serves the Olympian Gods . The goddess Athena tasks Kratos with killing Ares, the God of War and Kratos' former mentor who tricked Kratos into killing his wife and daughter . As Ares besieges Athens out of hatred for Athena, Kratos embarks on a quest to find the one object capable of stopping the god once and for all: Pandora's Box . </P> <P> The gameplay of God of War focuses on combo - based combat, achieved through the player's main weapon--the Blades of Chaos--and a secondary weapon acquired later in the game . It features quick time events that require the player to complete various game controller actions in a timed sequence to defeat stronger enemies and bosses . The player can use up to four magical attacks and a power - enhancing ability as alternative combat options . It also features puzzles and platforming elements . </P>

When did the original god of war come out