By Casey Lynch Apr 13, 2007, 18:43 GMT
We reported at the end of March a mysterious website known as IslandofRhodes.org had surfaced, complete with a countdown superimposed over an image of Kratos, the lead anti-hero from the God of War series.
Details, photos & tips to open hidden content here!
Many God of War II (read our full review here) fans conjectured that the site would either eventually be an announcement of the PSP version of God of War, or even God of War III on the PS3.
Earlier today, the countdown finally ended and the website went live, finally putting an end to all the guessing. Well, kinda.
While the IslandofRhodes page now hosts some cool stuff, like the ability to play God of War II in HD, along with a few video commentaries by God of War II director Cory Barlog and others on the development team, it ultimately leads to another countdown, as you'll find by following the proceeding click prompts.
Following that link you’ll find a bit of information on the Isle of Rhodes, but more interestingly there’s the first in a series of puzzles that unlock the secrets of the website. A spelling puzzle – can you spell K-R-A-T-O-Sin Greek? If so, you’ll unlock more Barlog videos and more brainteasing puzzles.
If not, here’s the breakdown thanks to Kotaku:
On the story page of the website, after hitting proceed to bypass the video, there are hidden Greek letters. If you can spell Kratos by clicking on them in order and then hit proceed, you're in. Here's the key:
Kappa (under iota, middle right)Rho (upper left corner)Alpha (bottom right, left of soldier's waist)Theta (under upsilon)Omega (upper right)Sigma (bottom right, by soldier's foot)
Once you spell out the name and click proceed you're greeted by another video, this one regarding the pegasus flying sequence, and then another puzzle, this time a timed sliding dealie, which I hate. Once you get past that? Another page, this time containing instructions on how to unlock HD mode in the game.
Tim Moss, the Director of Technology for GoW II, says here in a statement on the site that it will not be a 720p presentation, but a 480p with full size buffers. Huh, you ask? That basically means you’ll be able to see and play the game in 640X448, which we’re told will make the game look much better, but will slow the game down a hair.
If you want to bypass all the puzzles and the text riddle, here’s the code – thank us later – there is a specific button input you need to punch in before the "SCEA Presents" text appears during startup. You must hold down the Square, Circle, L1, L2 and L3 buttons simultaneously, the "SCEA Presents" text should then appear in purple.
The final hush-hush tidbit of the site follows Tim Moss' statement through the link that says "You seek an audience with the Fates." (see shot below)
A final page appears with another countdown that is set to expire in eleven days. What’s curious about the new countdown is the logo is only half-visible, which leads us to believe the missing bit is either the PSP title or indeed God of War III?
Sony didn’t have any comments but this:
"The Island of Rhodes website was developed for fans of God of War II and the God of War franchise," commented an SCEA representative. "All I can tell you right now is that there's more to come. Stay tuned at midnight on April 24th - you'll find out."
We'll keep you posted, check back for more news and on April 24th we’ll hopefully have more to report.
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