One of the biggest criticisms of the PlayStation Portable's software library remains the number of unenhanced PlayStation 2 titles that are ported to the handheld in order to make a fast buck. You'd think, therefore, that Sony Computer Entertainment would be content to do the same with the massively popular God of War series. However, at the recent launch of God of War II for the PS2, the game's director revealed the first details of an original PSP-exclusive God of War.

"It is its own story that connects to the overall story. God of War, God of War 2, and then if all the stars align God of War 3 will be the telling of a trilogy. This PSP story will be a further fleshing out," said Cory Barlog, God of War II's director who was unable to say where exactly the game will slot into the overall story. "We're not reusing any levels. We're not doing any of that stuff. It's all original content."

Barlog went on to explain that the company did not want the handheld's limitations (in comparison to a home console) to stand in the way of the grand plans and expectations that they and gamers expect from God of War.

"It is epic. It is big. There are hooks in the PSP story that I actually wrote from one of my first stories for God of War II, so there are a lot of elements - we're going to keep connecting all this stuff," he enthused. "To me, it's a persistent world... I want the PSP version to not feel like the PSP version... it's just as big. It's just as epic. It's God of War."

Good news for the PSP, then, and further proof that while it still trails behind the Nintendo DS in terms of sales, many developers are keeping faith and are still keen to take advantage of the machine's distinct potential.

Barlog also confirmed an upcoming PlayStation 3 version of God of War, which will feature 1080p visuals and utilise the tilt and motion functionality of the console's SIXAXIS controller - including vibration - which Sony recently announced would soon be built into the control pad after a legal battle with their supplier, Immersion.

Barlog also hinted at the idea of bringing a Gears of War-style co-operative mode to the upcoming PS3 version, saying: "Does co-op have a place in God of War? If we can do something unique with it, yeah, but it is really an early exploration of that in my head really. It's not even a discussion with the team. We're not even moving on to do the game yet. I'm thinking how can we incorporate this without damaging what happens in the game - without having it feel silly."