If you had told me last week that the most emotionally resonant PlayStation 5 release of the month would look like it belongs on a cartridge from 1994, I would have laughed. Yet, here we are with God of War: Sons of Sparta, a title that takes the Ghost of Sparta’s brutal legacy and shrinks it down into a retro-inspired 2D action platformer. And surprisingly? It works brilliantly.
Developed by Mega Cat Studios in partnership with Santa Monica Studio, this isn’t just a nostalgic cash-grab; it is a fully canon entry into the Greek saga that packs a punch, both in terms of gameplay and narrative weight.
The narrative is where Sons of Sparta truly shines. We are taken back to the brutal training days of Kratos’ youth. The story focuses on the relationship between Kratos and his brother, Deimos. We are venturing beyond the walls of Sparta into the dangerous region of Laconia, but the real journey is internal. It explores the early formations of Kratos’ code: duty, honour, and brotherhood.
The writing team includes veterans from the 2018 reboot and Ragnarök, ensuring the tone feels consistent with the modern era’s emotional depth, even if the visuals are retro. It bridges the gap between the angry young Spartan and the weary father we know today.
The audio landscape of this game is frankly absurd for a 2D platformer. We have the return of TC Carson (the original voice of Kratos from back in the day and the most likeable moment of the recent Playstation showcase. Seriously his love is just infectious.) He narrates the story as his adult self. Hearing that iconic growl again sent genuine shivers down my spine.
He is joined by Antony Del Rio, reprising his role as young Kratos from Ghost of Sparta (a lovely nod to the PSP era), and Scott Menville as Deimos. It’s these performances that elevate the pixel art, giving these tiny sprites the emotional gravity of a AAA cinematic.
Translating the visceral, heavy combat of God of War into a 2D plane was always going to be the biggest risk. Mega Cat Studios has nailed the “feel” of the series. It is heavy, impactful, and bloody.
You are not wielding the Blades of Chaos here, instead, you master the spear and shield. This change in weaponry forces you to think differently. The attachment system allows for deep customisation, letting you tweak your build to favour aggression or defence. The three primary skill trees offer a surprising amount of depth, and when you combine this with the “Gifts of Olympus”, divine artifacts that act as your special attacks.
The combat loop is surprisingly addictive in a way that most of these pixel driven 2D scrollers fail to achieve. The finishers are just as brutal in pixel art as they are in 4K photorealism.
Musically, Bear McCreary returns to the fold. He has managed to blend the retro chiptune aesthetic with his signature sweeping orchestral style. It sounds like a memory of an epic score, filtered through the hardware of our childhoods.
The Verdict
God of War: Sons of Sparta is a steal with the Standard Edition at $44.95 AUD or get the extra special Digital Deluxe Edition for $59.95 AUD. It manages to feel fresh while honouring the franchise’s deep roots. It might look like a throwback, but the heart beating underneath is modern, sophisticated, and unmistakably God of War.
This game dropped on a rainy weekend here and I couldn’t be more thankful for that. Although the big screen experience is epic I found it to be a prime candidate for the PlayStation Portal for a more intimate experience
