A surprise release has landed on the PlayStation 5: God of War: Sons of Sparta, a 2D prequel exploring the early years of Kratos. The game, developed by Mega Cat Studios in collaboration with Santa Monica Studio, marks a significant departure for the traditionally 3D action series, adopting a Metroidvania style of gameplay. As of today, , the game holds an average Metascore of 69 and a 72 on OpenCritic, indicating a generally positive, though not overwhelmingly enthusiastic, reception.
Sons of Sparta positions itself as a narrative bridge within the God of War universe, telling the story of a younger Kratos and his brother Deimos, long before the events of the original games. The narrative framing device is particularly noteworthy: an adult Kratos, voiced by T.C. Carson, recounts the adventure to his daughter Calliope, imbuing the story with a sense of retrospective reflection and a slightly less grim tone than typically associated with the franchise. This tonal shift, as noted in reviews, aims to present a more hopeful portrayal of Kratos’s youth, acknowledging the trauma to come but focusing on the bond with his brother.
The gameplay centers around the core tenets of the Metroidvania genre: combat, platforming, and exploration. Players navigate a sprawling map, unlocking new abilities and equipment that allow access to previously inaccessible areas. Combat, while adapted to the 2D format, attempts to retain the feel of the 3D God of War titles, featuring a spear and shield, combo attacks, blocking, parrying, and a “Brutal Kill” system triggered by stunning enemies. The game emphasizes building stun meters on opponents, a mechanic familiar to fans of the series.
However, reviews suggest that Sons of Sparta largely adheres to established Metroidvania conventions, and in doing so, doesn’t necessarily push the boundaries of the genre. Several critics point to a relatively simple progression system, repetitive enemy encounters, and a lack of significant innovation. COGconnected describes the game as “well-designed, albeit conventional,” highlighting the engaging combat but also noting a lack of inspiration in the art direction. This conservatism extends to the game’s challenges, which are generally considered less demanding than those found in other Metroidvania titles.
The shift in tone is another point of discussion. While the developers aimed for a lighter, more familial dynamic between Kratos and Deimos, some reviewers question whether this approach aligns with the established identity of the God of War franchise. PlayStation Universe notes the increased presence of “familial banter” and a less “grimdark” atmosphere, framing it as a deliberate choice to present a hopeful narrative to Calliope. Whether this tonal shift resonates with players appears to be a matter of personal preference.
Technical performance also receives mixed reviews. Gamekult points to “numerous technical problems” alongside the game’s strengths, while other sources remain silent on the matter. The pixel art style, while generally well-received, is described as occasionally appearing “flat” in screenshots, though the animation work itself is praised. Push Square notes that the presentation works well in motion, despite its limitations.
Despite its adherence to genre conventions, God of War: Sons of Sparta is generally considered a competent and enjoyable experience, particularly for fans of the God of War series. CGMagazine describes it as a “solid experience” that takes the franchise in a new direction, while Gameliner acknowledges it as a “good” God of War game, praising T.C. Carson’s voice acting and the game’s technical execution. However, the review also cautions that, as a Metroidvania, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of its competitors, especially considering its price point.
GamesRadar+ offers a more critical assessment, stating that the game struggles to deliver the best of either God of War or the Metroidvania genre. The review criticizes the combat as “lifeless” and the visuals as “ugly and confusing,” even lamenting the absence of the series’ signature brutal finishing moves. This perspective suggests that while Sons of Sparta is not a “bad” game, it falls short of the expectations set by its predecessors.
God of War: Sons of Sparta represents an intriguing experiment for the franchise. By embracing the Metroidvania format, Santa Monica Studio and Mega Cat Studios have offered a new perspective on Kratos’s origins, exploring his relationship with Deimos in a way that hasn’t been possible before. While the game may not revolutionize the genre, it provides a solid and engaging experience for fans of both God of War and 2D action-adventure games.
