Is God Of War: Ascension Misogynistic As Sessler Claims?

There's no chance I'm touching this one. I'm merely asking for opinions of gamers.

God of War: Ascension isn't pulling down God of War-like review scores, but one less-than-favorable review comes from Rev3Games Editor-in-Chief and former G4 host Adam Sessler, who cited a misogynistic side to Ascension.

He said a Trophy called "Bros Before Hos" is awarded if you stomp a female enemy's face in, and this is hardly tasteful. He ended up giving the game 3 out of 5 stars and many gamers took to YouTube to complain. Some are saying Sessler's focus on that particular scene dragged the score down and on top of which, considering the standard GoW context, there's nothing offensive about it in the first place. It's a sensitive subject, of course, and one that is bound to rile everyone up; it's kinda like politics in that way. I'm steering clear.

Like I said, I issue no comment. Just wondering if people find this anti-female or whatever.

Related Game(s): God of War: Ascension

Tags: god of war ascension, gow ascension, god of war sequel

3/8/2013 11:24:17 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (46 posts)

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bigrailer19
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 11:48:05 AM
Reply

I mean its a sensitive subject, but Kratos has handed plenty of female characters punches to the neck. So...

Adam Sessler is a dork though. I never watched G4, because of him and I dont care what he has to say.

12 up, 3 down

H0TSHELLZ
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 11:40:56 PM

He's been a true xBOT since his G4 days and dont care for his opinion.....I didnt even know he did reviews still since X-Play got canned. I Cant wait till Tuesday !

2 up, 2 down

PS3_Wizard
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 11:52:49 AM
Reply

This day and age, you must becareful about offending the many races, sexualities ot religions in the world. Womens rights activists would of course jump all over this example of this missrepresentation of their gender.

That said, by now everyone should be used to how women are treated in GOW games. It is undeniably a historical truth for the time period that women DEFINATELY were treated as sub-human. For the sake of being historically correct, GOW must continue to stay true to how women were perceived back then.

Hopefully this small backlash won't deter them from going balls out in any future GOW.

Besides...who is Sessler trying to be? Captain Save-A-Ho?

~Joke~

15 up, 1 down

Knightzane
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 11:56:44 AM
Reply

Huh, what a reason to say a game is bad. People need to stop trying to find something to be mad about. Seriously, Merica should be known as Dramerica. Because everyone here loves the drama.

9 up, 2 down

PS3_Wizard
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 12:23:14 PM

I dont think Sessler said that the game was bad (3 out of 5 is above sub-par), but instead thought it was slightly distasteful in regards to that scene. I don't agree with him myself, but you have to see why anyone would be offended by it. Sometimes you have to play both sides of the ball to understand the bigger picture.

I just don't understand why the geek ignored the time period GOW represents. How could it be THAT much of a shock to him? Was there back-lash over how, I think it was either Zeus' or Posidon's wife, was killed in GOW 3?

The scene im refering to was in the dungeon in the underworld if im not mistaken. And kratos used the woman to hold up the wheel long enough for Kratos to walk through the door. I remember playing the game with my surround sound on full blast, and the pleas for her life and subsequent squishing of her flesh in the wheel caused me to go back a see the devastation that Kratos caused.

It...was...awesome! So sue me.

6 up, 0 down

shadowscorpio
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 2:54:26 PM

Good point PS3_Wiz. Where was Sessler then? Seriously, if it was a female enemy bashing in Kratos's face in would we see such complaints?

Anyone play the Ascension demo yet? Kratos gets duly tortured by none other than a female enemy. Video games are not meant to be taken seriously as it pertains to real life.

People need to stop "searching" something to be upset about. We all have the choice to indulge in or dismiss any form of media.

2 up, 1 down

TheWuziMu
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 12:02:47 PM
Reply

Getting a trophy for stomping a female enemy's face in is bad, but slashing, mutilating, dismembering, decapitating, ripping apart, and chopping the brain out of other enemies is just peachy and trophy-worthy?

OK, Adam.

13 up, 1 down

Xombito
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 12:04:19 PM
Reply

I'm calling stirring up controversy for the sake of hits and views.

4 up, 2 down

Beamboom
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 12:09:31 PM
Reply

I don't find it particularly anti-female, but I do find it childish. But it depends on the context. If the rest of the game is like Saints Row then it kinda fits.

Last edited by Beamboom on 3/8/2013 12:10:57 PM

1 up, 3 down

bigrailer19
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 2:05:53 PM

Childish? Yet you act like Saints Row isnt based on its context? Man you just need to break out of your anti linear stage and just play them. Like I said above if context is your basis for it being ok then since GoW1 gamers have been up against female characters where it doesnt end pleasantly for them.

2 up, 2 down

Beamboom
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 4:13:31 PM

Saints Row represent the most immature games I've played this gen. Shit like this works in those kind of games, it's not offensive because the whole game is stupid like this.

So it depends on the context. That was the point I tried to make.

Last edited by Beamboom on 3/8/2013 4:17:39 PM

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 6:29:15 PM

Gotta disagree Boom, the names of trophies are always tongue-in-cheek silly even in serious games. And in GOW you aren't stomping anyone's head in for fun and goofiness, it's just that most devs use trophies for little smiling moments.

2 up, 1 down

bigrailer19
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 9:12:30 PM

I liked your reference below world about lollipop thats awesome haha.

0 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 12:11:43 PM
Reply

Equal rights here and equal rights there. I am all for equal rights so why stop there? It's not like Kratos is grabbing a peasant/citizen mother of 4 and bashing her face in. I don't have a problem with this. I do have a huge problem with abuse against women in real life however. It's a fine line I know, but I think if the woman is attacking Kratos you have to say she's fair game.

By the way, cannot wait for GoWA!

Last edited by CrusaderForever on 3/8/2013 12:16:25 PM

2 up, 0 down

shadowscorpio
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 3:03:08 PM

Does Sessler realized that Kratos treats men and women equally if they stand in his way? It's a video game Adam. This is nothing new when it comes to this type of thing . There have been worse things in movies.

3 up, 1 down

xenris
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 12:21:32 PM
Reply

I watched his review, and he doesn't have that much of a problem with what your actually doing. He understands that you beat women up in GoW games.

His problem came from the developers calling the trophy what they called it.

I don't agree with him on it being offensive really. The furies looked female but were more monster in their appearance, and like other people said you got trophies for ripping elephant brains out. So where is his bleeding heart for elephants and animal cruelty?

I dunno, I guess they shouldnt have called it Bros before hos but really it doesn't make the act of stomping her face in any more terrible. I don't think it is anti female at all. The main antagonists are female looking monsters, if anything this shows equality because the devs weren't afraid to treat the furies like all the other minions you mutilate during the game.

I dunno, I don't really think there is anything wrong here, its greek mythology and sure the bros before hos might be considered tasteless and offensive to some(not me) I dont really think it should take away from the score of the game.

With that being said, I think he just didn't like the game that much. I agree with him on several points, and while the demo was cool, it didn't do anything for me. I have played this game a dozen times, and the whole game feels like it doesn't need to exist except for the multiplayer experiment.

I bet it was that bro army frat boy who won the tester 3 that named that trophy ;)

Last edited by xenris on 3/8/2013 12:26:25 PM

5 up, 1 down

PC_Max
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 12:38:34 PM
Reply

Well, I think what comes out of this... again... is how far people, not just gamers, are willing to let games go with violence in a specific context. The difference of shooting someone in the head in a FPS to this GoW situation. Yep it comes down to an individual opinion and one might say there should be no limits. I mean there as been a push to have more visual sex in games since many movies and TV series have these explicit scenarios.

Not sure where I stand on this although in my old noggin it says maybe this is a bit too far. That said I could not say where the middle ground is to define it. Rape or brutal mutilation murder might be it the crossing line.

As some have said though, negative publicity does sell. So this might only help the game rather than hinder it.

Keep Playing!

0 up, 0 down

FatherSun
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 12:45:49 PM
Reply

In an effort to show equality Sony Santa Monica Studios announces Heavenly Sword 2 and the accompanying Trophy List which includes the GOLD Hos Before Bros Trophy: Have Nariko Stomp on a MALE enemies Face repeatedly for 2 full minutes.

Last edited by FatherSun on 3/8/2013 12:51:20 PM

6 up, 0 down

Lairfan
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 1:09:30 PM
Reply

Well, I've been ripping off Medusa heads since GoW1. Is that offensive? How about killing the Sisters of Fate brutally in GoW2? How about the point in GoW3 where Kratos literally mutilates the wife of Poseidon, who never did anything and is by all accounts an innocent bystander, just to get through a door? That, to me, was crossing the line, and I was kinda p*ssed about that.

This, however, is nothing, and I think it might just be pent-up frustration with this kinda stuff in games (which increased sharply after the industry was attacked for this stuff by the media cause of the CT shooting). And it could also be frustration with the fact that this game wasn't needed other than to test out multiplayer. Believe me, I'm still gonna buy it, but even I wanted a change of scenery in this one. Luckily I'm pretty sure the next one will be a true blue GoW4, so hopefully we don't have to b*#*h too much longer.

2 up, 1 down

dmiitrie
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 1:22:13 PM
Reply

We all know that a GoW game is going to be violent as all hell and that's the point. But having that particular trophy and naming it "Bros Before Hos" just calls attention to it all in a tasteless and completely unnecessary way. And that's really my main objection to it. It's certainly not the most offensive thing in the world, but it was so easily avoidable. Was there really nobody at Sony SM who thought some might find that objectionable?

0 up, 1 down

DarthNemesis
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 1:27:06 PM
Reply

So ripping a guys head off is cool but stomping a females face is distasteful? They name of the trophy could have been different, but it is nothing to complain about.Gaming media fails again just like the reviews on the game. I laugh when I read things like "God of War" does not take any risks as if any long standing franchise does. Ahem Zelda, Halo, COD.

4 up, 0 down

wackazoa
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 1:56:21 PM

Im down for a Kratos: the Movie. That live action trailer they did was sweet....

2 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 1:56:51 PM

"No risks" yet its getting criticized for the name of a trophy you get for smashing a females face in. No risk? Gimme a break.

People will do anything to find fault in games now days. Im guilty of it too. But lets be honest about it and still give the games their just due. I dont like Dishonored (so far) but I still can see the value in it. GoW may be more of the same, but isnt more of the same what we love about the franchise? YES!

Wackazoa: I thought I wanted a movie. But when I read the "script" or rather read an inrerpretation of it, it wasnt like the games. And ive come to the conclusion that it just wouldnt be good. The way that Clash of the Titans was produced leaves me little of any hope for a GoW movie.

Last edited by bigrailer19 on 3/8/2013 2:02:03 PM

0 up, 1 down

wackazoa
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 2:50:39 PM

As long as Uwe Bol stays the hell away from it, theres a chance it could be good. But obviously they would take the story and go "We want more splosionos and killing!!!!". Hollywood is bad that way.

0 up, 0 down

slugga_status
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 1:54:42 PM
Reply

Who cares..it's just a trophy name..oh and it's rated Mature. Some people always want to make mountains out of mole hills..

4 up, 1 down

wackazoa
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 1:54:53 PM
Reply

I would be ok if there is a trophy in Laura Croft where if she kills enough dudes you get a GIRL POWER Trophy. Meh, to each there own.

"Bros before Hos" is really childish though....

Last edited by wackazoa on 3/8/2013 1:55:08 PM

3 up, 1 down

Underdog15
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 2:09:25 PM
Reply

If you're going to be offensive, you should at least be original or funny.

As for me, I only dislike it mainly because it's something for the anti-gaming crowd to use while not really adding anything to the game.

Doesn't offend me, but it was kind of dumb to put in.

4 up, 2 down

Oxvial
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 2:12:02 PM
Reply

LOL my female friends hate more hoes than any man, theres nothing wrong with this.

Anyways whats wrong with the name of the trophy?like seriously someone explain me why? 90% of all trophy games names for the standard this one is being judged should be considered immature and stupid too.

Last edited by Oxvial on 3/8/2013 2:17:17 PM

1 up, 1 down

wackazoa
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 2:53:18 PM

The phrase "Bros before Hoes" is a dumb phrase. Something that a little kid might come up with yet grown men say it. The trophy is fine but come on, Bros before hos?

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 3:09:02 PM

It's just an old saying, nothing special aboot it.

2 up, 0 down

Oxvial
Saturday, March 09, 2013 @ 12:15:13 AM

That phrase like World said is actually old and one to not be taken seriously, this is games and 90% of trophies out there have ''immature'' names is we use that point of view, also example of ''Bros before hoes'' humor : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlyVabtnAYo

0 up, 0 down

Alejandro562
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 2:13:30 PM
Reply

I Can tell this gow was mishandled and focused to much on multiplayer i hope im wrong but that story better live up to gow games or i won't pick it up , i'll rather buy the gow collection instead.

0 up, 3 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 2:19:52 PM
Reply

I especially liked the "I Swear I Did It By Mistake!" Trophy for trying to peep up Juliet's skirt in Lollipop Chainsaw :)

4 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 8:01:42 PM

huh... i never got that one!

(never played it)

1 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 3:16:47 PM
Reply

3 out of 5 seems low hehe
Didn't Kratos crush a woman in a cog wheel in GoW3?

man, I'm looking at Metacritic's top rated games filtered to just PS3 in 2013 and 2012 and things look pretty soft. Perhaps critics are becoming bored of this gen, or perspectives have varied a whole lot between them, or maybe games just aren't as good anymore. Maybe it's a combination of all those things.

2 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 3:33:53 PM

I also realize that how widespread metacritic canvases out to form an aggregate can have an impact.
For example, most gamers agree ME2 was better than ME3 by a relatively sizable margin, but ME3 has a 93 and ME2 has a 94. The difference being is that metacritic sampled only 30 ME3 reviews to form the aggregate, whereas ME2's rating was formed from a whopping 62. That's pretty dang impressive to get that many to agree that ME2 was 94 calibur.

Last edited by Temjin001 on 3/8/2013 3:34:35 PM

2 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 4:20:15 PM

The number of reviews are crucial and must be taken into account when considering a metascore, that is very true.

It is also true that Mass Effect 2 were better than the third. By a good margin even, in my opinion.
ME3 is still epic though.

0 up, 0 down

Clamedeus
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 3:21:50 PM
Reply

People need thicker skin, something like this does not bother me at all it's a game.

I guarantee if this was a Women doing it to a Man no one would be up in arms about it.

2 up, 0 down

coverton341
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 5:27:54 PM
Reply

Rev3Games is a SF based company with 35 employees trying to get their name out there and grow their business and make a better profit year over year. A good way to do just that is to take something that has a hint of sensitivity to it and turn it into an issue. That is exactly what I see this as, a shameless way to get people to start talking and Adam Sessler leading the procession.

Last edited by coverton341 on 3/8/2013 5:28:16 PM

0 up, 0 down

FxTales
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 5:31:40 PM
Reply

There's a time and a place to call attention to the really bad cases of misogyny in videogames but this is hardly one of them, as douchey as bros before ho's is.

Boob armour on the other hand...

1 up, 2 down

homura
Friday, March 08, 2013 @ 7:09:32 PM
Reply

Off topic:

Elderly who play video games enjoy emotional health boost, study says.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865575219/Elderly-who-play-video-games-enjoy-emotional-health-boost-study-says.html

Video Games are good.

1 up, 1 down

___________
Saturday, March 09, 2013 @ 7:06:38 AM
Reply

what he does is fine, but rewarding people with a trophy of that name is not.
you would think the developers would be better than that, and at least QA would pick this up and say hey thats not appropriate change it.
guess it just goes to show how bored and childish developers are these days, and how little QAd games are.

1 up, 2 down

Teddie9
Sunday, March 10, 2013 @ 3:41:50 PM
Reply

I don't agree at all with lowering the score of the game on that basis. I have no problem with Kratos stomping a women's face to bits.

However that trophy name is absolutely unnecessary.

0 up, 0 down

Teddie9
Sunday, March 10, 2013 @ 3:51:24 PM

But...I've never been a fan of the games and since it is commonplace in the series it's expected - basically I reiterate that it should in no way impact the final score.

0 up, 0 down

megalodon
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 2:08:49 PM
Reply

all Trophies are pointless that take up unnecessary space on my system
that being said all the god of war games reward you with red orbs for slaughtering innocent people that just trying to get out of the way they just made a trophy that highlights it ?
in this case however the bro's before ho's trophy doesnt make any sense because Kratos doesnt have any bro's

0 up, 0 down

RobN
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 3:07:44 PM
Reply

I read an editorial about the complaint and the backlash to it, and I had to agree. It's not about the in-game violence, or the fact that it was against a female character. It was about calling the trophy "bros before hos," which took an in-game act and focused attention on the male/female aspect of it. Name and describe the same trophy differently, and the original objection goes away.

So...is that petty? Maybe. But people place different importance on trophies and how important they are already.

Does the violence fit in the game? Sure. Does the trophy fit in the game? Arguably not - not with that description, anyway. Kratos isn't exactly in the hood hanging with gangbangers, right?

Trophies have a life outside the game that they're in. You can look at someone's profile and see the specific trophies they earned recently - with the context of which game they came from, but without having to actually know anything about that game. Does that make a difference?

I'm not sure what I think about the whole thing, to be honest. I like games like this - but I don't want my daughters (age 6 through 13) to watch me play them, and highlighting acts like this one with a trophy named like this one just makes me more likely to try to keep this out of their sight for now. Makes me wonder, if I'm wanting to keep my kids from seeing it, should I be avoiding it myself in the first place?

Last edited by RobN on 3/11/2013 3:11:16 PM

0 up, 0 down

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