Exploring Kratos: The Metroidvania Hero Before God of War, but Not Quite Exceptional
God of War: Sons of Sparta offers a different take on Kratos, presenting him as a younger, less seasoned warrior. Early gameplay reveals that Mega Cat Studios has made an effort to capture the essence of the franchise, but the execution leaves much to be desired. Right from the start, young Kratos faces off against a colossal cyclops, with his brother Deimos stepping in to help. However, the combat feels sluggish and unrefined, with awkward animations that detract from the experience. When the cyclops falls, instead of the exhilarating rush typical of the series, I’m left feeling underwhelmed.
This portrayal of Kratos and Deimos makes sense given their youth; they’ve just begun their journey as Spartans, eager to prove themselves. The early areas of the game feature interconnected maps that spiral out from Sparta, but the stakes feel significantly lower than those in the main series. The tone is reminiscent of a youthful adventure, with Kratos embodying the eager student of Spartan lore, while Deimos is the passionate, impulsive brother, often leading to solo exploration before they reunite in cutscenes. Their current quest involves tracking down a missing Spartan student in the sewers, which, while different from the usual God of War narrative, isn’t without its charm.
However, navigating the Metroidvania-style environments can feel frustrating. The expansive screens often make it hard to keep track of the action, and the combat mechanics—like blocking and dodging—don’t require much focus. The game introduces a color-coded attack system: red attacks must be dodged, blue ones blocked, yellow requires a parry, and purple must be avoided entirely. While this adds a layer of complexity, it often feels more like a chore than an organic combat flow.
On normal difficulty, the challenge is minimal, with most enemies going down without much resistance. The stun meter allows for finishing moves, but these lack the visceral impact one would expect. The animations feel bland and uninspired, especially when compared to the brutal executions from earlier titles in the series. It’s surprising that a game in this franchise would miss the mark on such a signature feature.
There are some interesting mechanics, like using environmental objects as weapons, but they don’t feel essential to gameplay. The orb drops from defeated foes—color-coded for currency, magic, spirit, and health—are present, but their impact on combat feels negligible. The game encourages a more button-mashing approach rather than strategic resource management.
Upgrades come from temples, which also serve as fast travel points. Each temple grants Kratos new abilities that can be used in combat and to navigate obstacles. For example, a sling can hit distant switches, while a flaming branch can ignite enemies or clear paths. Optional challenge gauntlets offer rewards that can enhance Kratos’ abilities, providing some satisfaction in exploring the maps for upgrades.
Despite aiming for a retro aesthetic, the visuals fall short. While the backgrounds are detailed, they lack the breathtaking vistas found in other titles. The character models are unappealing and can obscure the action, creating a muddled visual experience. This lack of clarity contributes to the overall feeling that combat lacks vitality.
So far, God of War: Sons of Sparta is disappointing. The main series has set a high standard for engaging, impactful action, and this prequel struggles to meet that expectation. In a genre filled with standout titles, this game feels merely adequate. While I’m willing to continue playing in hopes of improvement, if you’re looking for a more fulfilling experience, there are plenty of other Metroidvania games that might better scratch that itch.
