TL;DR
PlayStation surprised everyone with *God of War: Sons of Sparta*, a Metroidvania twist on the franchise. It dives into Kratos' Sparta origins with retro pixel art, but while the premise is intriguing and the atmosphere is solid, the gameplay suffers from slow pacing and repetitive combat. Bugs also mar the experience. It's a competent, budget-friendly fan service title, but lacks the refinement to be truly standout. Curious to see if this experimental direction pays off? Read our full review for the details.
The strategy of “shadow-dropping” games is often unpredictable. While few anticipated it, PlayStation unexpectedly launched a new God of War title during a State of Play event, making it simultaneously available to both critics and consumers. When a new God of War installment arrives for review, our expectations are consistently high, given our long-standing appreciation for the series since its inception two decades ago. This release, however, diverges from the typical grand 3D epics by Santa Monica Studio, presenting instead an unexpected collaboration with Mega Cat Studios. God of War: Sons of Sparta marks the series’ debut as a Metroidvania, set in a retro-inspired 2.5D environment with pixel art reminiscent of the 16-bit era. It represents a bold departure, seeking to integrate the series’ intense thematic elements with an entirely new structural approach. The outcome is a competent offering that fulfills its immediate promises, yet regrettably offers little beyond that.
The Story Briefly
Rather than progressing the recent Norse saga, the narrative reverts to a period long before Kratos assumed his familiar mantle as the God of War. The storyline delves into his formative years in Sparta, where he and his brother Deimos endure the rigorous Agoge training. The siblings are dispatched to the region of Laconia to confront mythological perils and internalize the tenets of duty and honor. This compelling premise provides valuable insight into Kratos’ early life, though the plot occasionally resembles an elongated training sequence more than the sweeping drama characteristic of the franchise.
Gameplay and Experience
Adapting God of War to an exploration-driven 2.5D landscape presents significant challenges. Visually, the developers adeptly convey the aesthetic of Greek mythology, complemented by Bear McCreary’s impactful score, which perfectly establishes the atmosphere. However, the primary issue resides in the game’s pacing. While Metroidvania titles inherently emphasize exploration and the unlocking of new pathways and map segments, Sons of Sparta protracts the acquisition of fundamental abilities (such as running or double jumping) for an excessive duration, concurrently making an inordinate portion of the map accessible from the outset. This design choice renders the initial hours of gameplay both needlessly sluggish and disorienting.
In terms of combat, the franchise’s signature brutal ballet has been supplanted by a more straightforward attack system utilizing spear and shield. Although observing Kratos wield a new arsenal offers some novelty, the combat often regresses into repetitive button mashing rather than showcasing tactical finesse. Furthermore, the game is hampered by several bugs and performance inconsistencies, with the experience occasionally degrading during more intense boss encounters.
Final Verdict
Upon completion, the overall sentiment is undeniably ambivalent. While it represents an interesting endeavor to adapt the franchise to a new genre, and the underlying framework for a compelling action-adventure is evident, the title ultimately feels like an overly cautious interlude that offers little beyond fan service. It notably lacks the refinement and innovation necessary to be truly memorable. Consequently, *Sons of Sparta* is a competent game with an appropriate price point, primarily appealing to dedicated fans seeking additional lore and those with an affinity for the Metroidvania genre. For the broader audience, however, it remains merely adequate.
Coinciding with this release, Sony also revealed plans for remakes of the original three God of War titles (distinct from the remasters previously available on PS3 and PS4). While these games have undeniably shown their age since the PS2 era, they possessed a raw intensity and directness that solidified their classic status—qualities that could potentially be diminished in a remake. The specifics of these projects, slated for unveiling between 2027 and 2030, remain to be seen. Ultimately, this announcement primarily served to reignite our desire to revisit these brilliant games, which, despite their dated visuals, continue to deliver exceptionally entertaining experiences with epic boss encounters. Fortunately, subscribers to PS Plus Premium can currently stream them on PS5.
Playstation sent review copies for this test. Publishers of review material have no editorial influence on our tests.
