2D Metroidvania gives Kratos new depth amid growing pains

Before he was slaying the Greek or Norse pantheon of Gods, Kratos was just a boi training to be a Spartan. The 2D Metroidvania Sons of Sparta, developed by indie studio Mega Cat rather than Sony’s Santa Monica Studio, finds him side-stepping his training and chores as he, along with his younger brother Deimos, venture into the wilds in search of a fellow Spartan who’s gone missing.

It’s a retro-styled, combat-heavy action-platformer. While a Metroidvania, Sons of Sparta isn’t as maze-like as you might expect coming off of a Mio: Memories in Orbit or Hollow Knight Silksong, but it is sprawling. Sons of Sparta looks and feels just like something I would have played on the Game Boy Advance over 20 years ago, and in a way is a bit stuck in time in that regard; aside from giving new dimension to Kratos, it doesn’t innovate with its gameplay, ultimately landing as a par-for-the-course Metroidvania made for the hardcore God of War fans. Though it may not be God of War’s most exciting installment, Mega Cat’s reinterpretation comes with surprising emotional depth that makes for a worthwhile prequel.

While out travelling, Kratos and Deimos come across clues as to where Vasilis, the missing Spartan, has been and what he’s been up to. Wooden carvings, an instrument, a recipe list. Seems like Vasilis is interested in anything but being a part of the Spartan military, and Kratos and Deimos hold clashing views over this. The contrast between the brothers is the crux of Sons of Sparta and what makes it sing. Kratos has fully bought into the Spartan way of life, while Deimos imagines a life outside of fighting. What’s so wrong with wanting to make music or poetry anyway? Kratos is set to leave Vasilis behind for what he perceives is Vasilis’ abandonment of Sparta, whereas Deimos argues that to leave one Spartan behind is to leave all of Sparta by the wayside.

Their conversations at campfires and out in the wilds consistently challenge Kratos’ views, forcing him to reckon with what he actually believes and what beliefs the Spartan military has indoctrinated in him. Every step is a crossroads for the future God killer, especially as other figures, like the sculptor Konstantinos, chide him for prioritizing an individual over the whole of Sparta. Then there’s a member of The Krypteia that somewhat scolds Kratos for looking out for his brother, arguing that favoring an individual weakens the whole of Sparta. Kid Kratos just can’t catch a break!

Image: Mega Cat Studio, Santa Monica Studios/Sony Interactive Entertainment via Polygon

He grows tremendously over the course of Sons of Sparta, starting as someone who does not want to be searching for Vasilis at all and ends as someone who chooses to continue looking for his Spartan brother, despite his superiors essentially telling him not to. In the game’s present narrative, an older Kratos relays this story to his daughter Calliope and imparts wisdom upon her about one’s duty to one’s fellow people. (Those tender moments of Kratos speaking with Calliope almost make you forget the gruesome fate that’s about to befall them.) If nothing else, Sons of Sparta builds on Santa Monica’s quest to add new layers to the God-slayer’s tortured soul.

In between all those talks of duty and clue-hunting are plenty of monsters to fight. On the surface, the gameplay appears simple, with just a spear for stabby stabs and a shield for defense. But as Kratos grows, so does his arsenal, with boons from the Gods allowing him to wield magic attacks and different spear parts adding various moves to his repertoire. I’d unleash a full combo of regular attacks on an enemy, dodge through them to avoid their slashes, whip out a Spartan skill on them (like an overhead slam from the air), and finish them off with a magic attack, like lobbing a magenta fireball. At a certain point, Kratos became a juggernaut on the battlefield, a preview of the God of War he’s to become.

You’ll need all those attacks against the game’s bosses, which range from fair and fun bouts to frustratingly drawn-out gauntlets. Sons of Sparta has the occasional odd difficulty spike. I only needed a couple of tries to defeat a Stymphalian bird, but the demon made of blood and ichor Alastor induced a Kratos-like rage in me with how drawn-out the boss fight was. Though, Sons of Sparta is more forgiving than other Metroidvanias; difficulty options ensure there will be no Difficulty Discourse spinning out from this game.

Image: Mega Cat Studio, Santa Monica Studios/Sony Interactive Entertainment via Polygon

As far as Metroidvanias go, Sons of Sparta doesn’t necessarily want you to get lost. It’s not as focused on exploration as most other of its genre compatriots; its default settings leave a red objective marker on your map, guiding you along. It’s helpful in that often you’ll know the left path will lead you to the next step in the main story, whereas the right path will take you to something cool — an olive tree, a tough fight, treasure chests full of currency, or perhaps just a campsite to rest your weary bones. You can basically play it like a linear game (though you’ll still want to go out of the way for upgrades), or turn that objective marker off and go get explorin’ at your own pace.

God of War Sons of Sparta doesn’t do anything new with the Metroidvania genre, but it does do something new with the God of War himself. It shows off a side of Kratos we’re not used to, making him a young man who’s trying to decide what path to take next. (A fitting match for a sprawling Metroidvania, no?) After the bloody Greek trilogy and somber Norse Saga, the Kratos who’s just trying to find his way contrasts well with the revenge-filled and grief-stricked versions we’ve gotten to know so well.

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God of War Sons of Sparta is out now on PlayStation 5. The game was reviewed on PS5 using a prerelease download code provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.