God Of War: Sons Of Sparta Review – A 2D Adventure That Struggles to Impress
Kratos makes a surprising return to Ancient Greece in God Of War: Sons Of Sparta, a new 2D Metroidvania developed by Mega Cat Studios. Released on February 12, 2026, for PlayStation 5 at a price of £24.99, this spin-off attempts to adapt the iconic God Of War formula into a side-scrolling format. However, despite its ambitious premise, the game often feels like a lackluster addition to both the franchise and the Metroidvania genre.
A Prequel Story with Limited Impact
The narrative serves as a prequel, featuring a pre-deification Kratos recounting a teenage adventure to his daughter. Set in Sparta, he and his brother Deimos embark on a rescue mission, offering a co-op mode that is unfortunately locked until after completing the solo campaign. While the script, provided by Santa Monica Studio, contrasts Kratos's authoritarian nature with Deimos's humanistic approach, the stakes feel surprisingly small, and the plot fails to grip players, feeling unnecessary in the broader God Of War lore.
Gameplay and Combat: Simplistic and Repetitive
As a Metroidvania, Sons Of Sparta follows the genre's basics with areas that become accessible through items like a sling or magic totems. Traversal works as expected, though the central hub is unusually large and unwieldy. The combat, however, is a significant letdown. Without the Blades of Chaos, Kratos relies on a spear and shield, leading to overly long fights against damage-sponge enemies. The game incorporates Soulslikes elements with color-coded attack warnings, but this feels artificial, resembling a rhythm action game more than a nuanced combat system.
Visuals and Role-Playing Elements
Visually, the game starts with low-tech graphics and a drab brown color scheme, though it improves slightly over time. Animation remains stiff and unconvincing throughout. Role-playing elements mimic the Norse games, with an overwrought system of gear and skill tree upgrades that offer too many options with little appreciable impact, resulting in unwanted menu busywork.
Overall Assessment and Alternatives
With a score of 5/10, God Of War: Sons Of Sparta is a run-of-the-mill Metroidvania that does little to leverage its setting. While it may appeal to newcomers to the genre or die-hard franchise fans, there are numerous better alternatives available, such as Animal Well or Hollow Knight: Silksong, often at lower prices. In short, this game offers competence but fails to excel, making it a forgettable entry in the God Of War series.
