God of War Sons of Sparta Review

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PlayStation’s recent State of Play event had some exciting reveals for fans. Sony announced remakes of the first three games in the series, and also unveiled a new 2D action-adventure game called God of War Sons of Sparta. The biggest surprise? God of War Sons of Sparta was available to play immediately after the presentation ended!

Turning God of War into a Metroidvania is a daring idea, but it works well, because God of War: Sons of Sparta is a quality game. While it’s not quite as strong as some of the best Metroidvanias out there, it’s still a solid title.

The Metroidvania Aspect of God of War Sons of Sparta is Just Okay

God of War: Sons of Sparta offers engaging gameplay with a unique approach, reminiscent of Metroidvania-style games. It features a sprawling map, requires revisiting areas, and unlocks new paths as you gain abilities. While fun and rewarding, the game doesn’t quite reach its full potential, falling short of being truly exceptional.

This isn’t just any Metroidvania game; it’s a God of War game at its core. However, beyond a few collectibles, it doesn’t really feel like God of War, which is a bit disappointing. While the game understandably can’t include everything from the main series because it features a younger Kratos, it could have done more to capture the essence of the franchise.

Honestly, as a Metroidvania fan, this game is okay, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights of titles like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown or even Hollow Knight: Silksong. My biggest gripe is that it felt way too short! Just when I was starting to really get into the exploration and the game was opening up, it was over. A little more playtime would have made a huge difference.

Despite being a short game, it’s worth playing for its beautiful art style. The pixel animations in Sons of Sparta are well done, but the backgrounds truly stand out – they resemble paintings you’d find in a museum like the Louvre.

God of War Sons of Sparta’s Story Makes It Something Special

The game God of War: Sons of Sparta begins with Calliope following her parents’ wishes. Instead of reprimanding her, Kratos shares a story from his own youth with his brother, Deimos. This storytelling approach – Kratos using a personal tale as a lesson for Calliope instead of focusing on violence – is what makes God of War: Sons of Sparta so effective.

This approach also explains why the story feels less intense and violent than other parts of the series. The connection between Kratos and Deimos is strong and believable, making their relationship really engaging. It’s interesting to see Kratos as a younger character, revealing a different side to him. Plus, having the original voice actor, TC Carson, reprise the role is a great addition.

TC Carson stole the show during the State of Play presentation with the unexpected reveal of God of War: Sons of Sparta. He immediately captivated the audience, and it’s clear he still has the talent to deliver. Hearing his distinctive voice again, especially as Kratos embraces a more paternal role, feels perfectly fitting.

Sons of Sparta Shares DNA with the Norse God of War Games

Although Sons of Sparta is set in ancient Greece, its user interface feels more like those found in games with a Norse theme. It’s not the game’s graphics or environments that create this feeling, but rather how the menus and information are presented. Players familiar with the 2018 God of War will immediately recognize the resemblance.

The game’s menu design, including its progression system and quests, strongly resembles the more recent titles in the series, which was a good decision. Straying too far from either the old or new style could have been a gamble, but basing it on the newer games was the safer and more effective approach.

Bear McCreary once again composed the music for Sons of Sparta, and his score is as powerful as ever. It’s fascinating to hear his style used with a younger version of Kratos. While this music might not immediately stand out like some of his other compositions, it’s fantastic to have him back working on the series.

God of War Sons of Sparta Will Scratch an Itch for Fans

While God of War: Sons of Sparta is a complete game, it feels like a preview of even bigger things to come. It doesn’t quite reach the same level as the main God of War titles, but it still manages to be enjoyable. The story is framed around Kratos recounting a story from his childhood to his daughter, Calliope, offering a fresh look at his character compared to the earlier games.

This game offers a fresh take on the God of War formula with its 2D action-platforming style, though it might not appeal to all fans. It’s built on a strong base, and while it doesn’t revolutionize the Metroidvania genre, it’s still enjoyable. If you’re a fan of both God of War and Metroidvanias, you’ll likely have a good time. It’s a brief experience, but a fun one.

God of War Sons of Sparta is now available on PlayStation 5.

A review code of God of War Sons of Sparta for PlayStation 5 was provided by PlayStation.

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2026-03-03 00:14