God of War Sons of Sparta Review: Does a 2D Prequel Actually Work?

Published On: 24 February 2026 | 15:28 IST

There is nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of a massive shadow drop. When PlayStation suddenly unveiled and released God of War Sons of Sparta at their recent State of Play, it captured that same lightning-in-a-bottle excitement we felt with games like Hi-Fi Rush or the recent Elder Scrolls shadow drop.

However, this release also brought a massive wave of scepticism. The God of War franchise has an incredibly dedicated fanbase accustomed to blockbuster, cinematic action. Taking this legendary IP, pivoting it into a 2D Metroidvania, and framing it as a prequel exploring Kratos’ youth was a massive risk. So, did the risk pay off, or are you better off wondering what Kratos was like as a child?

My Love for Metroidvanias

Before we dive in, let me clear the air with two quick facts so you know where I am coming from:

First off, I love God of War. From the OG PS2 and PS3 trilogy (including Ascension) to the PSP side stories, and definitely the 2018 soft reboot and Ragnarok. They are likely my most-played games on every console they’ve graced.

Secondly, I love Metroidvanias. To give you an idea of my taste, my top favourites are Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, the Ori series (Blind Forest and Will of the Wisps), and Guacamelee! duology, and Metroid Dread.

So, what do I actually think of God of War Sons of Sparta? Let’s break it down.

Table of Contents

Story: Some Things Are Better Left a Mystery

Let’s look at John Wick as a prime example of backstory done right. The story of the Baba Yaga kicks off after he has retired. The sheer fear his name strikes into the hearts of the underworld leaves it up to your imagination to picture just how lethal he was in his prime. I loved that same sense of mystery with Kratos. While the PS2 and PSP eras fleshed out his adult life, we never really knew what kind of boy he was, leaving us to imagine the best (or worst) of his upbringing.

In Sons of Sparta, the premise is incredibly simple: a teen/preteen Kratos is on an adventure with his brother, Deimos, to find a missing cadet. It’s as straightforward as 2018’s goal of spreading ashes from the highest peak. However, Sons of Sparta lacks any complex character development or twisted plotlines. Most NPCs exist purely to point you toward your next waypoint.

The biggest anchor tying this to the wider franchise is the framing device: Kratos (voiced brilliantly by the OG, Terrence C. Carson) is narrating this tale of his youth to his daughter, Calliope. Ultimately, this story could have been about any Spartan warrior in the God of War universe, and it would have been fine. Personally, I found it hard to digest a teenage Kratos origin story; it’s like finding out what John Wick was like in middle school. I don’t hate the story, but I don’t love it either. It just didn’t hit me the way other games in the franchise, or the Metroidvanias I listed above, usually do.

Gameplay: Standard Tropes with a Sluggish Start

Sons of Sparta offers exactly what you’d expect from the Metroidvania genre: a sprawling map with branching paths, areas gated behind locked abilities, optional puzzle challenges, and the occasional side quest. However, it’s in the execution of these standard tropes where the game falls a tad short.

You start with a standard Spartan spear and shield. Unlike previous entries, you don’t begin with light and heavy attacks. Instead, the square button handles standard strikes, while the left or right bumpers trigger special or magic attacks. You can parry with your shield to deal massive stun damage, and you gradually unlock magical abilities like a slingshot or a fireball-shooting branch (giving off heavy NES Mario vibes).

The game features solid enemy variety and a robust customisation system reminiscent of Ragnarok, allowing you to swap spear tips, grips, and pommels for elemental effects like poison or freeze. So, what’s the issue? The pacing. The combat feels noticeably slow, and it took me a good 4 to 5 hours to find a gameplay loop I actually enjoyed. When compared to the fluidity and rhythm of games like Ori, Shinobi, or Prince of Persia, Kratos feels a bit sluggish here.

That said, the puzzles and exploration are a lot of fun. The game delivers those satisfying “Aha!” moments alongside the classic genre frustration of realising you just don’t have the right ability yet. The boss fights are challenging and well-designed, utilising the standard colour-coded attack telegraphs (blockable, parryable, dodgeable, and unblockable) to keep you on your toes.

Graphics and Sound: A Pixel-Perfect World

Visually, the game is a triumph. I absolutely love the pixel art style paired with the hand-painted backdrops. It has a mesmerising charm that heavily incentivises you to ignore the fast-travel points just so you can traverse the distinct biomes. The last time I had this much fun just looking at a map was in The Lost Crown.

While Kratos and Deimos look great, the enemies and NPCs really steal the show in moment-to-moment action. Even the sequences where you receive abilities from the Gods are presented with a gorgeous, comic-book-like flair.

The audio, however, is a mixed bag. The background score is fantastic, especially when the music kicks into high gear during a boss fight, but the voice acting for young Kratos feels a bit too childish. It’s no fault of the actor, but wrapping your head around “Kratos the Boy” remains a mental hurdle.

Verdict: A True Son of Sparta?

At its core, God of War Sons of Sparta feels like just another Metroidvania. The story is decent, but it feels like it was retrofitted to cash in on the God of War reputation rather than needing to be a Kratos-centric tale. While the gameplay eventually becomes a lot of fun once you unlock your arsenal, getting there is a true test of patience.

The stunning environments, clever puzzles, and gorgeous graphics are easily the game’s greatest strengths. If you are a hardcore God of War lore purist, you might walk away from this adventure feeling a bit disappointed. If you are a Metroidvania fan, I highly recommend waiting for this to hit a PlayStation subscription tier or a deep sale. At the end of the day, it is a good Metroidvania, even if it is an average God of War game.

Editor’s Rating: 7 / 10

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