<Ul> <Li> Single - player </Li> <Li> multiplayer </Li> </Ul> <Li> Single - player </Li> <P> God of War: Ascension is a third - person action - adventure video game developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE). The game was first released on March 12, 2013, for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console . It is the seventh installment in the God of War series and prequel to the entire series . Loosely based on Greek mythology, the game is set in ancient Greece with vengeance as its central motif . The player controls the protagonist Kratos, the former servant of the God of War Ares, who tricked Kratos into killing his wife and daughter . In response to this tragedy, Kratos renounced Ares, breaking his blood oath to the god . Kratos was therefore imprisoned and tortured by the three Furies, guardians of honor and enforcers of punishment . Helped by the oath keeper Orkos, Kratos escapes his imprisonment and confronts the Furies to be completely free of his bond to Ares . </P> <P> The gameplay is similar to previous installments, focusing on combo - based combat with the player's main weapon--the Blades of Chaos--and other weapons acquired by the new World Weapons mechanic . It continues the use of quick time events and adds a new, promptless, free - form system . Four magical attacks and a power - enhancing ability can be used as alternative combat options, and the game features puzzles and platforming elements . Ascension is the only installment in the series to include online multiplayer features for both competitive and cooperative play . It also features a redesigned combat system, new gameplay mechanics, and downloadable content . From October 2012 to March 2013, a social experience was available online in the form of a graphic novel titled Rise of the Warrior, a prequel story that tied into the game's single - player and multiplayer modes . </P>

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