If u ignore the loopholes in the story, yeah, it is really great. I am replaying all GOW at the moment to prepare for GOW: Ghost of Sparta, going to be released this Nov 2nd. I'm not nearly far enough to have an opinion about any possible loopholes. Anyway, why does Hephaesteus sound so familiar? I found the dude at The Forge forging some stuff. I remember something about him being at least referenced in the prior games. I dont think he is referred to in any of the prior games. I just replayed GOW and GOW2, and GOW: CHain OF Olympus. SO, very positive he is not referred. No one has ever said that GoW accurately depicts Greek mythology. It's a video game. Joke? Hell no, just lots of creative liberty. Personally, I like the storyline, despite it being a good, old-fashioned revenge story. There's nothing wrong with doing things completely over-the-top and in a highly exaggerated and violent manner. If they follow exactly like the Greek mythology, that would have been boring. But then, if they used Kratos's brother, Deimos, that would have been a better looking character