=============================================================================== 300 March to Glory F.A.Q. =============================================================================== Plot Spoiler: Leonidas and his boys all die at the pass. End spoiler and public domain for the win. =============================================================================== The Game: 300 March to Glory is a game adaptation of Frank Miller's 300 graphic novel turned movie, based on the infamous Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. In it, you play the role of Leonidas and fight in the final few days of the battle. During that time, players get to Q'pla and smash the brains of invading Persians against rocks until something useful comes out. Extra skills and weapons are unlocked through spending points and play progress. =============================================================================== Firmware Update: The game requires a version 2.82 or higher firmware for the Sony Playstation Portable. The game at the time of publication of this document, is only available for the Sony Playstation Portable. If you want something different, or with a really deserved ESRB M-rating, buy God of War 2. =============================================================================== Game Basics: There are two main play modes in this game: lone Spartan mode and phalanx mode. In each your controls, life, and goals are different. The game will tutorialize your ass for 90% of the game, so you should be comfotable the game will hold your hand for much of it. About the only things that you might want to remember are: - Each enemy has a threat level and should be faced with priority. - Each enemy sometimes a specific method to kill it; lacking that method means you die. - You need two bonus moves to easily beat the game; the rest of the points should be used for upgrading weapons and armor. - The battle skills at their default can used to beat the game, no improvement necessary. - Replay mode does not earn points for play. - Lambdas for bonus material refill all your life and wrath meter, but do not reappear once you get it (exceptions for some bosses). - When you see the SD card icon, you probably hit a checkpoint. Restarting at a checkpoint will give you full life and a spear, but the wrath meter will be empty. - Blue attacks are less dangerous than red attacks, since without a shield, your Spartan dies almost instantly from the arrow shower attack. - In Phalanx mode, blocking will prevent the command bar from being depleted from bombs, arrows, and certain other attacks you cannot normally block against in single mode. - Know the basic moves for sword/shield and spear/shield sets. You can beat the entire game using just those moves. - The double swords do not allow your Spartan protection from the arrow shower and used very rarely. - When being pushed back by the enemy in Phalanx mode, press CIRCLE repeatedly to shove back and escape the deadlock. - SQUARE in Phalanx mode does no damage except to destroy shields. Destroy the shields of enemies before attacking with X. - Prioritize your upgrades. Go for the sword and armor first. Upgrade the spear third, and buy the moves 'Spartan Uppercut' and 'IronSplitter'. The first move allows you to knock down enemies without using the wrath meter; the second is more optional but destroys armor and shields quickly (and only using a spear, which you may not always have). - For your first run through the story, upgrade the shield last, since you only use it as a fast strike attack to build wrath on enemies who need to be killed on the ground. - Prone finisher is SQUARE or X while enemy is knocked down (sword/shield or spear/shield only). - Losing the shield allows the Spartan to dodge as if using the double swords (L + CIRCLE), but any sword combos using the CIRCLE button (like Shield Slam) are disabled until you recover a shield. Note you can pick-up any shield, since the shield upgrade stays with your Spartan. - Only extreme circumstances and Maximo will willingly throw their shield (R + CIRCLE). It is a good back-up against the slave bombers (since you can recover a thrown shield but not thrown spears) since they can kill you when they detonate. - In the stealth missions, trigger all the alarms and kill all the enemies for more points. - Never leave an area in single mode until all enemies are dead. More points earned mean less pain later. - If you find a Royal Guard or Mongolian, you can keep beating it using the Shield Blow (CIRCLE x4) to build your wrath. - Certain animations can be interrupted with some commands. If hit by an arrow shower, attempt to heal with Wrath Fortitude (D-PAD RIGHT) and then do Tuck Tail (L + R). - Certain animations can be interrupted with some commands. As the Spartan executes a prone enemy, you can go directly to Tuck Tail (L + R) by holding the buttons. - Certain animations can be interrupted by enemies; during a prone execution, the Spartan can stop the attack if struck by an enemy. Press SQUARE or X again quickly as the enemy back-pedals to kill the victim on the ground. - Enemies knocked off cliffs or pits are killed instantly, and give you Kleos points. - Enemies killed by fire or explosives will not give you points. - Enemy archers can shoot their own friends but will not kill them. The shot however, will be absorbed. - Fiery attacks cannot be blocked. - If you see one, make a temporary base at a spear rack or fasces. Most enemies can be killed with one thrown spear. - Spear combos are done best when you see the light trail for each swing, but press the next button in the combo before the light trail disappears. =============================================================================== Enemies: Slave - This is the guy from Prince of Persia (original Jordan Meschner one) and can be killed easily by any means. Slave (Bomb) - This enemy explodes once it is dealt lethal damage. Only by equipping the double swords and using the dodge (L + CIRCLE) can you escape the effective kill range of the device. A thrown spear is the best counter against this enemy, but keeping the spear is sometimes more important than losing a little life. In Phalanx mode, blocking the explosion is possible. If you must, throw the shield to kill a bomber, but don't forget to grab the shield before leaving. Archer - This enemy shoots normal arrows, fire arrows, or poisoned arrows from afar. Sometimes spear racks or fasces are around for you to play the distance game, but not always. Block, close in, and hack is usually the answer. Pyromancer - This magician enemy conjures fireballs to destroy enemies. Weak, but the powerful shots can be annoying and dangerous. In Phalanx mode, blocking the shots is possible. Infantry - Can be killed using normal attacks. Infantry may have wood shields or iron shields, both which can be destroyed (eventually) using the spear. A spear throw can kill this enemy instantly with or without a shield. Whip Master (Slave Driver) - This enemy can power-up the enemy weapons, or take away your shield. When you see this enemy, try to kill it first. Assassin - Wields double swords that are poisoned. Medium priority but don't one attack you too many times. Immortal - A tougher version of infantry wearing blue. Very much the same as the infantry enemy but with three times the amount of life. Not so tough alone, but they always attack in groups of three or more. Beware the iron shield Immortals, they tend to survive longer and get in the way of attacks and your Spartan if you are trying to escape. Giant Immortal - This is a boss NPC and covered in the boss' section. Mongolian - A green armor infantry that is so tough, it can only be killed if knocked down and stabbed to death (preferably in the throat, multiple times). These enemies are otherwise the same as an Immortal. Wicker Grunt - A monster made from straw. This enemy only takes damage if the Shield Slam is done on it before to stun it; the enemy only takes damage while stunned. Immortal Commander - An enemy who is so tough, it can only be killed by the lethal attack (R + SQUARE). Royal Guard - An enemy carrying a flame sword and wears shiny metal armor. This enemy is the same as the Immortal Commander, and can only be killed using a lethal attack (R + SQUARE). The difference is this enemy can set your Spartan on fire. Bone Golem - A mini-boss enemy who can only be killed if your Spartan is in Blood Drunk mode. Note while in Blood Drunk, your Spartan still takes damage can can get hit off ledges, etc. Executioner - A mini-boss enemy, ripped off directly from Prince of Persia The Two Thrones, who can only be killed if your Spartan is in Blood Drunk mode. Note while in Blood Drunk, your Spartan still takes damage can can get hit off ledges, etc. =============================================================================== Zeus Say 'Power-Up': Power-ups are in order (100,000 for max weapon/armor upgrade) so no skipping upgrades like in Forgotten Realms: Dungeons and Dragons Demonstone. Upgrade the sword, armor, spear, the two attacks (Spartan Uppercut and Iron Splitter), then the shield. By the end of the game, you should be fairly competent to beat the bosses, etc. ------------------- Swords ------------------- Default - 0 Runed - 10000 Spiked - 20000 Obsidian - 30000 Ultima - 50000 ------------------- Sword Combos ------------------- Light Combo - 0 Heavy Combo - 0 Shield Combo - 0 (quickstrike) Shield Slam - 0 (stuns) Uppercut - 15000 (does knockdown) Gut Ripper - 20000 Vicious Strike - 25000 (does knockdown) Zeus Fury - 30000 ------------------- Shields ------------------- Default - 0 Runed - 10000 Spiked - 20000 Obsidian - 30000 Ultima - 50000 ------------------- Dual Sword Combos ------------------- Light Combo - 0 Heavy Combo - 0 Eviscerate - 15000 Hades Strike - 20000 (does knockdown) Heartskeer - 25000 Decapitator - 30000 ------------------- Spears ------------------- Default - 0 Runed - 10000 Spiked - 20000 Obsidian - 30000 Ultima - 50000 ------------------- Spear Combos ------------------- Light Combo - 0 Heavy Combo - 0 Shield Combo - 0 Skullcracker - 15000 (stuns) Ironsplitter - 20000 (breaks armor) Whirlwind - 25000 (does knockdown) Meteor Slam - 30000 (does knockdown) ------------------- Armors ------------------- Default - 0 Runed - 15000 Spiked - 25000 Obsidian - 35000 Ultima - 50000 ------------------- Blood Drunk ------------------- Level 1 - 0 Level 2 - 30000 Level 3 - 60000 ------------------- Eye Of The Warlord ------------------- Level 1 - 0 Level 2 - 30000 Level 3 - 60000 ------------------- Wrath Defense ------------------- Level 1 - 0 Level 2 - 30000 Level 3 - 60000 ------------------- Wrath Fortitude ------------------- Level 1 - 0 (recovers 40% life) Level 2 - 30000 (recovers 70% life) Level 3 - 60000 (recovers 100% life) =============================================================================== Game Specific Tips: Persian Champion - Note that blocking completely defends the Spartan from all attacks except the blue and red attacks. Block, get in a few licks with the SQAURE x4 combo and evade any unblockable attacks. Immortal Commander - You need a half-block of wrath for the lethal move. Either shield punch (CIRCLE x4) the enemies or save a few drops of wrath for use on this enemy. Poseidon Temple - The entrance to the basement is behind the ramp. The temple's puzzle is to use the center switch, push the statue, use the center switch (again), use the right switch (to flood the room), then use the left switch (fill bridge). To destroy the Giant Immortal at the Anthele Temple, use a spear to destroy the armor, avoid the charging boss when its head glows red. Avoid the center of the room, since getting knocked into the pit kills the Spartan instantly. After the armor is all gone, use sword/shield and damage the boss until it runs under a statue. The boss automatically goes to a statue, so always fight at the edge of the room, so you can climb the stairs easily. Press X to crush the boss. If you need a quick burst of speed, switch to the double swords and use the L + CIRCLE dodge to speed dash. Against the really annoying Wicker Boss (Kullulu), avoid it while it rolls and try to do the Shield Slam (X, SQUARE, CIRCLE) to stun the summoned Wicker Grunts and kill a few (builds wrath for healing). Once the boss unrolls and becomes vulnerable, use the strongest sword combo (usually SQUARE x4 unless you bought something else) and damage the boss. For the two Persian Champions (Red and Blue) - Fight each boss one at a time and note the patterns for red and blue attacks. Enemy arrows will come in and if the shield is gone, you die. Avoid the red and blue attacks by going to the Spartan's right (circle strafe right) and attack. Red guy can be hit several times, but blue guy blocks more. When you fight two on one, and you need to kill one boss quickly to avoid being arrow spammed, kill the red guy first and slowly chip the blue guy to death with the sword and shield. Against the Immortals General (Hydarnes) - Rip off the armor as previous bosses using the spear. When boss stands on cages and shoots claw missiles, stand behind an execution post and trap the claw. If done right, boss will say, 'Curses' and 'Blargh'. Trap both claws and throw a spear at the boss to do damage. Repeat until dead. If boss won't shoot its claws into a post, kill his summoned buddies (one spear throw) and wait for boss to get itself stuck. For the defence of wall, keep the bombers and pyromages off on the left, away from wall. Avoid using prone attacks or anything that changes the camera. If you spot a pyromage or bomber going past, kill it or the wall gets destroyed over time. Save up wrath; you need several half-blocks for the lethal kill attack against the Royal Guards (enemies with fire swords). Only bombers, pyromages and bone golems can destroy the wall, so you can leave alone other enemies. Against Xerxes' top general, circle strafe right to avoid the blue and red attacks. Block all the normal attacks and hit back when the boss steps back. Both fights (with Leonidas and the one-eyed pirate guy Spartan) are the same. Use the spear to knock out the armor and then use the sword/shield and dock the life. Note that in the second fight (with the pirate Spartan), the boss will break its weapon in two and have a different looking (but similar) attack pattern. For that version of the boss, the blue attack's first blow has a longer range than the heavily damaging second blow, so run if you see the color change and you might escape it unscathed. =============================================================================== Extra: Completing the game allows you to replay the story mode but with all the previously earned upgrades. The Continue+ game may be harder in terms of enemy types appearing, but for the most part, it's the same but you kick ass and chew bubblegum ... and you're all out of bubblegum. =============================================================================== --------------------------------------------------------------------------------