God of War: Sons of Sparta is the God of War game many fans did not expect. Rumors had pointed to a 2D Metroidvania set in the series. Sony finally confirmed it during a recent State of Play. What surprised players even more was the shadow drop. The game was revealed and released at the same time.
It is not the usual cinematic action adventure fans associate with God of War Ragnarök. Instead, it takes a side scrolling approach. The focus is on exploration and ability upgrades. It leans heavily into Metroidvania design. For some fans, that may not be the ideal way to experience Kratos. Still, it expands the lore in interesting ways.
The story takes players back to Kratos’ teenage years. His relationship with his brother Deimos is front and center. The game also confirmed that a remake of the original God of War trilogy is in development. That news alone made the showcase memorable.
God of War Sons of Sparta Gameplay and Metroidvania Shift
Sons of Sparta feels very different from the modern entries. Combat is faster and more arcade like. Exploration requires backtracking. New powers unlock hidden paths. It follows the classic Metroidvania formula closely.
Playing as a younger Kratos takes time to adjust to. He is more reckless. He is more emotional. Seeing him alongside Deimos before tragedy strikes adds weight to every scene.
The game does not reinvent the genre. It plays things fairly safe. Even so, the formula works. Exploring ancient Greek inspired environments in 2D is a fresh twist for the franchise.
God of War Sons of Sparta Deimos Companion Problem
One of the biggest talking points is Deimos as a companion. In God of War Ragnaröksome players felt that Atreus offered too many hints during puzzles. Santa Monica Studio even added a reduced puzzle hints option after feedback.
Sons of Sparta has the opposite issue. Deimos is barely helpful. He appears during story moments and scripted sequences. In regular gameplay, he often feels absent.
During certain boss fights, he attacks enemies. His impact feels minor. Sometimes he stands at the edge of the arena doing very little. It creates the illusion of teamwork rather than true cooperation.
There are moments where Deimos saves Kratos in dramatic fashion. Outside of those scenes, he does not change combat in a meaningful way. Some players may prefer no companion at all instead of one who feels underused.
God of War Sons of Sparta Expands Kratos’ Lore
Despite gameplay flaws, the story delivers emotional weight. Seeing Kratos and Deimos before their lives fall apart adds depth to the series. The bond between them feels genuine. That makes the looming tragedy even more powerful.
Sons of Sparta may not satisfy every fan. It is shorter and smaller in scale than recent entries. Still, it offers something different. It keeps the franchise active while players wait for the next mainline title.
As a stopgap release, it works well. The combat is solid. The exploration is engaging. Most importantly, it adds another bittersweet chapter to Kratos’ long and painful journey.
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