

Before each multiplayer battle, players choose to align with one of four gods: Ares, Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon. The game introduces online multiplayer for the first time in the series. Three new relics are also introduced, giving Kratos the ability to manipulate time, create a "shadow" self, and remove illusions created by his guardians. Rage is gained through attacking enemies and when the rage bar reaches its max, Rage is automatically unleashed and lasts until the player stops attacking or takes damage. Like previous games, Rage is featured in this new installment, but with some changes. For example, the Ice of Poseidon allows the player to breath under water. Each discipline provides a unique ability to the character as well as imbue his weapon with the magic. Kratos can now learn up to four magical disciplines, which include the Fires of Ares, Ice of Poseidon, Lightning of Zeus, and Soul of Hades. Kratos is still equipped with the Blades of Chaos, but now is able to pick up a few different weapons through the new weapon mechanic called the World Weapon system. The game uses essentially the same hack-and-slash combat system from the previous games. Subsequently, Kratos is imprisoned and must fight his way out of his bond between him and Ares. When Kratos is tricked by Ares into killing his own family, Kratos abandons Ares, breaking the blood oath between Ares and Kratos. The player follows Kratos, the protagonist of the other games, who is the former servant of the God of War, Ares.

God of War: Ascension is the seventh installment of the God of War series and serves as a prequel to the games.
