God of War Sons of Sparta

Sons of Sparta doesn’t reinvent the metroidvania genre, nor does it redefine God of War, but it stands as a solid choice for fans of both. The content is robust, orchestrated by high-quality art and sound direction. Following this project, it would be interesting to see Mega Cat Studios get another shot at this universe, potentially refining the structural edges presented here.

Sons of Sparta feels unnecessary, a prequel few expected and one that adds little to the wider God of War saga. Still, on its own merits it’s polished and impressive, with strong mechanics, striking visuals, and standout voice work. More indulgent side story than essential chapter, but a solid one nonetheless.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a well-designed, albeit conventional, Metroidvania. Combat encounters are enthralling, especially as the game progresses and enemies unleash varied attacks that demand specific methods of evasion. New abilities expand your offensive arsenal, adding further layers to each encounter. While the platforming and puzzles benefit from tight, thoughtful design, the art direction is competent but uninspiring. Although a strong outing for Kratos, this entry doesn’t quite reach the mythic heights of the series.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a solid and well-crafted metroidvania with strong combat and tight level design. Within the genre, it never truly excels in any exceptional way, but it knows exactly what it wants to be. The repetition in enemy design and the conservative skill tree prevent it from fully rising above itself. At the same time, its focus on character makes it a meaningful chapter within the broader God of War story. The game is neither a revolution nor a new benchmark, but it is a thoughtful and thematically strong origin piece that credibly deepens Kratos’ evolution.

Considering it takes a long time to start getting really good, God of War Sons of Sparta can test your patience but if you stick to it, you'll find one rewarding Metroidvania with oodles of content, gorgeous areas, and a solid variety of enemies and puzzles.

Overall, God of War: Sons of Sparta is a fun Metroidvania. It captures the feel of God of War, if in a somewhat more lighthearted way than usual. As a Metroidvania title, there's not much — either good or bad — that makes it stand apart from the pack. If you're a fan of the franchise and don't mind a look at the younger days of the Ghost of Sparta, then it's absolutely worth a shot, but the price tag might make it a heavy ask for more casual Metroidvania fans.

Is God of War: Sons of Sparta a bad game? No. Its systems work, the core gameplay is solid and manages to hold up throughout the adventure. The problem isn't the technical execution, but rather the lack of a distinct identity that sets it apart. As a Metroidvania, it doesn't redefine the genre, but it can serve as an entry point for those less familiar with this type of game.

Sons of Sparta‘s heart still beats true despite these issues. It embraces the retro aesthetic and even brings Bear McCreary back for a chiptune score. It uses the Greek backdrop to inspire nostalgia for the series’ roots, paying respect with a new visual style. For many it will be the combat and exploration that bring up the biggest points of contention, not the youthful take on Kratos. But Sons of Sparta proves that PlayStation franchises can be iterated on in experimental, exciting ways.

God of War Sons of Sparta shines a light on a young Kratos, and to devastating effect. An emotional story carries the game... when it gets there. While basic, the gameplay and varied locations make for a great starter Metroidvania, it just may not work as well for longstanding veterans of the genre. If you wanted more God of War, this is indubitably a good game and a smart spin-off by Sony Santa Monica and Mad Cat Studios.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is an entertaining metroidvania spin-off that deepens Kratos's lore through a compelling coming-of-age story and faithful genre mechanics. However, despite its ambition and engaging exploration, the game suffers from noticeable performance issues, a combat system that feels somewhat basic, and unpolished platforming, leaving it feeling unrefined.

Halfway through the game, I stopped comparing it to the big God of War entries and just let it be what it is; that helped a lot. Some fights could’ve hit harder. A few bosses are cool in the moment but don’t really stick. The map made me circle back more than once, wondering if I missed something obvious. And yet… I kept going. It’s not spectacular. It’s not one of those “you have to play this” entries in the franchise. But it’s a solid, surprisingly thoughtful Metroidvania with Kratos at the center, and once I met it on its own terms, I genuinely enjoyed my time with it.

The new God of War adventure is a solid 2D metroidvania and offers a fresh look at the early life of Kratos. However, the shift from the classic God of War style to this new approach is quite big. The pacing and combat are also somewhat slow, and the gameplay eventually becomes repetitive.

Though the tonal shift might be too much for some longer term God of War vets and it really doesn't achieve anything fresh or new in the Metroidvania space, Sons of Sparta nevertheless stands as proof that AAA developers like Sony Santa Monica should continue to let talented indie devs play in their sandbox because despite such flawed, the results are still more than worthwhile.

Sons of Sparta is a solid 2D title that plays it safe, offering accessible gameplay and shedding light on a rarely explored chapter of Kratos's history. It dives into the Spartan's origins and the bond with his brother Deimos long before he became a legend. While it delivers a satisfying blend of the franchise's DNA with Metroidvania elements, it ultimately sticks to the genre's basics.

God of War Sons of Sparta is a solid outing that takes the franchise into a new direction while feeling a bit too safe and by the numbers for enthusiasts of the genre to truly appreciate.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a solid Metroidvania, but it doesn't do anything more or less than many other exponents of the genre. It works, it entertains, and it flows smoothly, but it rarely surprises. The story of Kratos's adolescence and his relationship with Deimos are the heart of the experience, offering a more intimate look at a character we're used to seeing in a completely different light. The idea works, but it's held together by a rather conservative gameplay structure, with redundant combat, a lackluster level design, and an art direction that favors nostalgic homage over originality. The result is an enjoyable but rather standard prequel, closer to a narrative interlude than a fundamental piece of the saga. Kratos fans will still find something to interest them, as will those looking for an accessible Metroidvania without too many rough edges. Those looking for a chapter that will leave their mark will, however, feel like an opportunity only partially exploited.

Sons of Sparta is an interesting attempt to adapt God of War into a 2D metroidvania-inspired format. The interconnected exploration of Laconia works well, and the relationship between Kratos and Deimos adds value to the narrative, revisiting the protagonist’s youth. However, inconsistent combat, predictable progression, and some polish issues prevent the game from reaching its full potential. Still, as a complementary chapter in Kratos’ story, it offers a curious perspective on his past.

God of War Sons of Sparta offers a fresh take on the iconic action franchise that won't be everyone's cup of tea. On top of representing a significant – and undoubtedly scaled-down – departure for the beloved series, it also suffers from a slow start. That said, Sons of Sparta comes into its own a few hours in, delivering a compelling prequel story supported by a solid metroidvania structure. It also "clicks" on the PlayStation Portal, looking and playing like a game that was made for the portable device.

God of War returns to the scene suddenly, and in a form that few would have expected. Contrary to first impressions created by the setting, Sons of Sparta turns out to be quite an elaborate metroidvania-lite.

While God of War Sons of Sparta doesn't do anything special to reinvent the genre and comes with some definite unwanted baggage, it's a pretty good game that will cater more toward God of War fans than Metroidvania enthusiasts seeking the next big thing.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a perfectly fine Metrovania on its own, but it doesn’t live up to the Kratos lineage otherwise. Either temper your expectations for Kratos’ origin story, or go into this one with an open mind that it’s another generic Greek adventure, and you won’t find your time in Laconia to be a tragedy.

God of War Sons of Sparta is a satisfactory, yet not overly triumphant, return to the Greek era. A 2D Metroidvania God of War title sounds great on paper, but Mega Cat Studios never quite manages to capture the feel or pacing of a God of War game. The story is where the game is at its strongest, delivering a look into Kratos' life and personality before tragedy strikes. Though the pacing makes getting into the story difficult and Sons of Sparta never feels necessary to the overarching narrative, the story ends strongly. The Metroidvania piece itself is a stumble thanks to the poor pacing of key abilities. The locales are neat, the corridor design is fine, but getting through the first couple of hours is a real chore. Combat fares better thanks to a smart implementation of Greek and Norse era mechanics, but Mega Cat Studios never manages to capture the God of War feeling. God of War Sons of Sparta is a satisfactory adventure in the God of War universe, but it's far from the triumphant return of the Greek era fans have been waiting for.

God of War Sons of Sparta has its merits and, within the premise of a 2D action game set in Kratos' youth, it fulfills its role in a perfunctory but satisfactory way. However, it lacks depth in all its aspects, including the rather rudimentary level design by current Metroidvania standards, and even with some interesting qualities in the visual and narrative aspects, it still seems to be just a scrawny teenager trying to prove himself a true Spartan warrior.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a very good video game, with strong visuals, excellent music, and simple yet effective gameplay driving an ultimately interesting story. However, as a God of War title, it is held back from true greatness by early pacing issues and a presentation style that feels somewhat tone-deaf to the rest of the series.

There is much to appreciate about Sons of Sparta. Given that it now takes six years or more to make a big game like God of War, this interlude is very welcome. What's more, Sony Santa Monica isn't taking the easy route by sending Kratos on an adventure in a genre that's new to him. Kudos for that! But within that genre, our favorite demigod suddenly finds himself in crowded company. The “Metroidvania” genre has been enjoying a revival in recent years thanks to Hollow Knight, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and Prince of Persia. To compete with them, you have to come up with something special. Sons of Sparta is commendable and certainly has an edge for God of War fans, but it lacks that touch of magic to make it indispensable.

Letting players take control of a young Kratos, God of War Sons of Sparta is a retro-styled 2D Metroidvania that offers a large, interconnected world to explore. It's both engaging and rewarding to do so, too, though repetitive combat that can feel a little scrappy brings the experience down somewhat.

For what it is, God of War: Sons of Sparta is a perfectly serviceable game that presents a story about Kratos that fans should absolutely check out. It suffers from its fair share of drawbacks, but as a one-time 11-hour romp through history, it gets the job done.

God of War Sons of Sparta isn't a bad game, but there's almost nothing that sets it apart from the competition. It's not very pretty, the combat isn't particularly unique, and there are clumsy moments throughout. Comparing it to Hollow Knight: Silksong or other independent Metroidvania games, which are cheaper, doesn't do it any favors. Its co-op mode could have made a difference if it weren't so poorly designed. We would recommend it more to die-hard fans of the God of War franchise than to experts of the Metroidvania genre.

Sons of Sparta faithfully takes elements from God of War games and mixes them with a by-the-book, sometimes too linear and clumsy metroidvania.

This Metroidvania approach is an interesting addition to the God of War series, but it falls short in many ways. Sons of Sparta does not aim to revolutionize the series, but if you approach it with an open mind and look beyond its imperfections, you will find a charming indie game in its core.

Sons of Sparta can and will bring in fans of the IP even if they are unfamiliar with the genre in order to experience part of Kratos’ beginnings. However, the way the game presents itself; its visuals, mechanics, and pacing could easily work against keeping these subset of gamers entertained long enough to enjoy and complete it.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a fun spin-off that takes a series we all know and love and places it somewhere entirely different. It's a mostly successful experiment; the Metroidvania structure works well with the franchise's mechanics, and it looks and sounds the part. However, it takes too long to really come into its own, leaving the early parts of the game feeling a bit lacking compared to the richer experience found later on. If you have the patience to see it through, and can overlook some rough edges here and there, this is a worthwhile adventure for fans that delves into Kratos' history in a way we haven't seen before.

Unfortunately, the gameplay of God of War: Sons of Sparta is basic, and that's about it. The game works as a Metroidvania in the most fundamental sense of the genre. It's entertaining and improves as you progress through the adventure. However, the combat system and customization are extremely simple, and the title rarely presents enough of a challenge to truly test your skills with the controls. It's not a bad experience, but it falls short, especially by today's standards.

God of War Sons of Sparta is a Metroidvania prequel that is neither the best in its series nor the best in its genre, but it offers a story that serves to reveal a lesser-known and more humble side of Kratos. It commits no cardinal sins and is enjoyable, but bearing the God of War name, it could have offered much more.

Sons of Sparta is only a partially convincing experience; it has a surprisingly well-crafted soundtrack and a simple yet enjoyable story centered on the relationship between Kratos and his brother Deimos, but it suffers from a severe lack of identity that limits its impact. The gameplay works without ever excelling, the power-ups are useful but not particularly impactful, and the violence, a defining element of the world it belongs to, is toned down. The idea of ​​creating a smaller project could have proved successful, but the overly cautious management makes it a title that entertains for a few hours without truly leaving a mark. If it weren't for that name on the cover, it would easily go unnoticed.

God of War Sons of Sparta has a weak start, solid middle, and strong ending. If you can get through a tedious first few hours you will eventually be rewarded with solid combat and an emotional story.

Is God of War Sons of Sparta a good God of War game? Absolutely. It offers meaningful insight into Kratos’ past, backed by a stellar performance from T.C. Carson and rock-solid technical execution. As a Metroidvania, though, it’s good, but not great. It does the job well, but for €30 there are stronger contenders in the genre.

A god of war in training, still far from his later primal power and visual impact. Even limited to two dimensions, Kratos performs quite well overall. However, a certain lack of clarity, little innovation, and a difficulty level that is not always balanced could have been avoided, which would have significantly enhanced this appetizer until the next regular “God of War” release.

God of War: Sons of Sparta attempts to delve into Kratos' past with a promising narrative, but ends up betraying much of the power expected from a title in the saga. The idea of exploring the trauma and nascent fury of the Ghost of Sparta was intriguing, and Deimos is a successful human counterpoint, but the game fails to transform this potential into a memorable experience. The predominant feeling is that of a timid title, almost fearful of its own heritage: the combat lacks bite, the two-dimensional graphics appear uninspired and lacking in character, and the mechanics — although functional — are uninspiring and constantly feel like something we've seen before. Sons of Sparta does not leave its mark, does not surprise, does not embody the epicness and brutality that made Kratos an icon; interesting for the most curious fans, but disappointing for those who expect the fury and emotional impact typical of the saga.

Sons of Sparta should have been a slam dunk, but it just has too much holding it back to be a classic. I loved the idea; it was the execution that disappointed me. I want to know more about the Greek era of Kratos, really looking forward to the remakes, but this origin story falls flat at times and the simplified Metroid aspects are not tailored to the character or the game.

God of War: Sons of Sparta stands as a metroidvania built on a solid foundation, yet it does little to distinguish itself within the genre. It also feels largely disconnected from the broader saga, featuring combat that lacks impact and a narrative that fails to expand meaningfully on Kratos' extensive mythology. Combined with several technical issues, these shortcomings make it recommendable only for the most devoted fans of the former God of War.

For the God of War completionist, there is a story incentive to play through Sons of Sparta. It builds on Kratos’ character well, shows a part of his life we have not had the chance to experience, and there is at least one small detail related to modern Kratos and his son that I am glad I learned. But it underwhelms on nearly every aspect of Metroid-inspired design without outright failing. Controlling Kratos, fighting, and exploring just isn’t particularly fun on a basic level. A just below perfunctory genre experience alongside characters and in a setting I admit I like spending time with.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a very traditional metroidvania, enjoyable for those who appreciate the genre but unable to bring anything truly compelling to the screen, as one would theoretically expect given the use of such an important intellectual property. As it has been put together, the project feels somewhat peculiar and inevitably suggests scenarios in which the decision to move forward was driven more by the need to fill a production gap than by the genuine merits of a project defined by these particular values.

With a sea of new, genre-defining games constantly coming in, God of War: Sons of Sparta gets lost in the tide.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is decent, entertaining, and enjoyable at times, but we should expect (and demand) much more from this franchise. We're not here for Kratos to star in a passable Metroidvania; we're here for his brutality and quality to shine, to take a step forward in a genre that, unfortunately, has countless other games that are far superior to this one.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a competent Metroidvania, with excellent exploration and a very well-constructed setting, but it suffers from uninspired combat, weak bosses, and a worrying number of bugs. The game has potential, but it needed much more polish to deliver on it.

God of War: Sons of Sparta attempts to capitalize on the franchise's success with a 2D metroidvania, but largely disappoints. While it explores Kratos's past with Deimos, enriching the lore, the execution falls short. The early hours are slow, dialogue can be monotonous, and combat is repetitive initially. Despite a nostalgic pixel art aesthetic, environments are generic and fail to meet the series' high standards. Sound leveling issues and a locked co-op mode further detract from the experience. Ultimately, it feels like a generic metroidvania wearing the God of War name, only worth playing for dedicated fans seeking lore.

The definition of mediocrity. An inoffensive but overly cautious spin-off that sticks rigidly to metroidvania conventions without stepping out of the shadow of its iconic name. In strong competition, it feels interchangeable and lacks the courage to innovate. Competent but unremarkable.

The pixel art simply can’t do justice to the Kratos we’ve formed in our mind’s eye. There’s also something deeply grating about listening to teenage American accents attempting to capture the complexities of a Spartan wrestling with his conscience. Perhaps if you could overlook Sons of Sparta’s lineage, you might see it as a perfectly adequate Metroidvania. But Mega Cat Studios knowingly took on the burden of that name only to fall short of the stellar God of War pedigree.

Anyone expecting a faithful transition of the God of War franchise into 2D will be sorely disappointed by Sons of Sparta. It lacks the raw violence of those games and the weight behind their attacks. Ultimately, it feels like a very typical metroidvania that struggles to stand out in such a highly competitive genre.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a bog standard retro-inspired Metroidvania. There’s energetic combat and strong boss fights, though neither can quite make up for the dreary exploration and boring story, resulting in an OK experience. For me, when it comes to a franchise as legendary as God of War, OK isn’t nearly enough.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a respectable spin-off that expands Kratos' mythology with a charming brotherly story and solid Metroidvania bones - but it never quite reaches the heights of either the franchise or the genre it's borrowing from.

God of War: Sons of Sparta combines valuable and human touches about Kratos' past with a new gameplay style for the series. However, it fails to deliver this gameplay in a truly innovative way. The story is left half-baked due to its slow pace, ordinary metroidvania structure, and shallow gameplay systems.

As someone who misses the old Sony and the way they’d try weird things (and not just go for big and cinematic with every one of their games), it feels weird to criticize them for a game where they try something different. But the problem is that God of War: Sons of Sparta isn’t particularly fun. It’s a perfectly adequate metroidvania at a time when there are plenty of very good metroidvanias that are more worth your time, so unless you desperately want a Kratos: The Very Early Years game you can safely skip this one.

Sons of Sparta ends up as an uneven effort that falls short in both story and gameplay. Neither a compelling spin-off nor a satisfying side-scrolling action title, it struggles under the weight of the God of War name and never quite lives up to it.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a good game. The surprise release at the Sony event was a wise choice. The problem lies in the price and pacing decisions that impact the experience.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a competent 2D metroidvania that expands Kratos’ past with solid combat, familiar voices, and a decent amount of content. However, generic level design, forgettable bosses, heavy backtracking, and a lack of standout moments prevent it from feeling worthy of the franchise’s legacy. Functional, but surprisingly uninspired.

God of War Sons of Sparta takes Kratos back to his early Spartan years in a side scrolling adventure that blends exploration with heavy combat. While it adds background to his relationship with Deimos and experiments with a retro style format, it rarely feels as powerful or focused as the mainline entries. It is a decent, occasionally engaging detour that struggles to live up to the legacy attached to its name.

God of War: Sons of Sparta might bring fans back to Greece, but it isn’t the way you expected to return. There’s a decent game when all is said and done, but it fails to materialize a unique identity from a series that has successfully rehabilitated its image. God of War: Sons of Sparta is ultimately a fine game that may have benefited from being its own thing. I wouldn’t even call it serviceable because I don’t know what it is in service to. God of War: Sons of Sparta might bring fans back to Greece, but it isn’t the way you expected to return. Ghost of Sparta did a fine job of filling in Kratos’ backstory before his reign of chaos. Sons of Sparta muddies the past while revisiting a time in Kratos’ life that few fans care about.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is an underwhelming experience. I had expected more solid craftsmanship and a lot more flair from the first spinoff since 2010. But Mega Cat Studios, Barlog and Santa Monica shouldn't lose heart, because the idea is good enough. I just expected more from the execution.

God of War: Sons of Sparta isn’t a terrible game, but it’s not a more than acceptable game either. It simply sits somewhere in the middle. It’s a spin-off wedged into a series that is too big, too important, and too imposing to afford any missteps. Even back in the days of Ascension, widely considered the weakest entry in the entire saga, Santa Monica Studio made sure to follow a set of guidelines that would still guarantee an epic experience.

Sons of Sparta does a lot of good PR for Kratos’ early Greek life, filling in the blanks of he and his brother’s early life in a sort of Young Adult coming-of-age story set in a military highschool. The fresh breeze it gives to the would-be God of War is more of a humid fog when it comes to the actual 20 hour game you have to play in between all of the fun character work. Combat makes the most attempts to differentiate Sons from other contemporary Metroidvanias, but is also mostly bloated with options you never have to even investigate, let alone consider. The rest - the exploration, collectible hunting, platforming - are at best run-of-the-mill, with very few locations and moments within them standing out in this game, let alone among the upper echelon of the best games in the genre.

God of War Sons of Sparta swaps to a 2D plane to show us a glimpse of Kratos's early years.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is an incomprehensible project, whose purpose is unclear and whose overall presentation, both gameplay and narrative, fails to keep pace with both other exponents of the Metroidvania genre and the high quality that has more or less always distinguished the saga.

Overall this is a God of War game that fails to reach the heady heights of normal franchise levels. And while it’s an okay game, this road has been well trodden in the genre and done with more surprise and addictiveness.

Neither sacrilegious nor godly, God of War: Sons of Sparta is a pretty decent metroidvania romp. Mega Cat Studios wears its Blasphemous influence on its sleeve with enchanting pixel art landscapes, crunchy combat and secrets galore, yet, at launch, the game is brought down by bugs and performance issues. Wait for a few patches.

God of War Sons of Sparta struggles to deliver on the best of God of War or the best the Metroidvania genre has to offer. Combat is dull and lifeless despite a handful of nice ideas, and it's visually ugly and muddy. Even lacking in brutal finishers, this all feels quite tame. It's not bad, but serviceable struggles to excite – and that's a sin for God of War.

If you’re like me and have to play every Metroidvania out there, then yes, God of War: Sons of Sparta is decent enough. But in a genre this strong, 'decent' just means it’s below average and ultimately not worth your while.

The Kratos we know would most likely growl in disdain. [Issue#422, p.122]

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a tedious and garden-variety metroidvania that brings nothing interesting to show to the class. This prequel stretches over 20 hours, filled with unnecessary padding and the least interesting iteration of Kratos yet, relying on trite game design and utterly soulless execution. Young Kratos, stripped of his signature rage, is an utter dullard preaching honour amidst joyless obedience. There’s no fury, no peril, just persistent boredom, proving that some origins are best left as a mystery.

There are things to like and even possibly love about God of War: Sons of Sparta. The combat system is smart and layered, the visual style is often beautiful, and the story eventually becomes surprisingly rich. But it's difficult to recommend, because so much of the metroidvania design--the core of the genre that Kratos has found himself in--is like that frozen wasteland: slowly plodding through, just trying to reach the next warm spot where it's fun again.

God of War Sons of Sparta is not a terrible game by any means. Even in spite of all of its flaws, this is a very competent Metroidvania that will undoubtedly scratch any itch you might have to play a game in the genre. Still, Sons of Sparta is a major swing and a miss on PlayStation’s part. This game had the potential to establish God of War as something new outside of the mainline series that could help keep it fresh for years to come. Instead, I’m now hoping that we see fewer experiments with the IP going forward if this is how they’re going to pan out.

The most damning thing I can say about Sons of Sparta is that one day after rolling credits on it, I don’t feel anything. The game had made no lasting impressions on me, negative or positive. It is a complete nothingburger of a game and will sadly probably be remembered as nothing more than a small footnote in the history of the series.

God of War: Sons of Sparta really does try to tackle a different approach to the series while also retaining the feel of God of War. There was so much potential for a new perspective on the characters and their pasts that have yet to be properly explored, which made it all the more dissatisfying when the game came to an end and fell short on all these opportunities. The focus on the primary objective really didn’t leave much room for any other characters to be expanded upon, and the gameplay and storytelling weren’t compelling enough to keep me invested all the way to the end. If you really want to know what happens for yourself, or you’re desperate for a new Metroidvania, wait for some patches to fix the bugs and give it a go. If you don’t, then you will be fine to skip this one.

After several hours of intense gameplay, I was incredibly excited and ultimately frustrated by God of War: Sons of Sparta. The writing lacks punch, both in terms of the characters and the story. The gradual progression one expects from a Metroidvania is absent, as is the desire to explore every nook and cranny. The combat also suffers from fatal flaws. Our young Spartan doesn't chain attacks together as smoothly as his future self, and he's hampered by a truly awful AI. As it stands, it's impossible to recommend, whether to a fan of the God of War or to Metroidvania veterans. Kratos still has a long way to go before becoming a god, and I've fallen from grace.

Sons of Sparta is a terrible God of War and a mid metroidvania. Offering something different and more modest doesn’t excuse doing things poorly. When Kratos said that the gods of Olympus had abandoned him, he was talking about this.

God of War Sons of Sparta is an okay prequel—the problem is that it feels like it was released before the original 2005 game, not just taking place before it. Its safe approach feels like a game made generations ago, not one released in 2026, and makes it a chapter in Kratos' life that is forgettable.

A very run of the mill Metroidvania that does little of interest with the God Of War setting and stumbles in terms of the dull combat and unengaging plot.