Prepare for a wild ride through ancient Greece! God of War: Sons of Sparta takes us on a journey with a young Kratos, but is it a thrilling adventure or a tedious trek?
God of War: Sons of Sparta is a metroidvania game that delivers a mixed bag of experiences. While it offers intense and engaging combat, the exploration and movement mechanics leave much to be desired. Imagine a game where you're eager to fight but struggle to move freely, almost as if Kratos is trapped in a rigid world.
Set as a prequel, the game explores Kratos' and his brother Deimos' early days in the Spartan army. However, the over-the-top action fans expect from the franchise is noticeably absent. The game's metroidvania elements are mediocre, lacking the innovation and polish needed to stand out. It's a confusing and muddled experience, but with a few shining moments.
The story jumps between two timelines: an older Kratos narrating his tale to his daughter, Calliope, and his younger self's adventures. The younger Kratos is a headstrong teen, eager to prove himself in the Spartan trials. He and Deimos embark on a quest to find a missing teen, Vasilis, encountering mythical creatures and cultists along the way. This side story provides an intriguing glimpse into Kratos' past but feels somewhat disconnected from the main canon.
But here's where it gets controversial: Kratos, in his youth, is a rather uninteresting protagonist. He's overly strict and rule-abiding, often coming across as pious and condescending towards Deimos. The search for Vasilis is more akin to a simple puzzle than an engaging mystery, with Kratos constantly arriving just moments too late. It's a linear path with few surprises.
Exploration, a metroidvania staple, is where the game truly falters. Most of your abilities come from godly boons, but these are rigidly color-coded and lack versatility. Many are projectiles that must be cycled through, making the puzzle-solving feel restrictive. For example, you might need a specific tool for a certain mechanism, but the overall experience feels repetitive.
The movement controls are equally stiff. Kratos' dash and double jump abilities seem promising, but they're not as fluid as one would hope. You can't seamlessly combine moves, and the dash into jump combo is only useful in very specific situations. This rigidity extends to the fast-travel system, which is only unlocked near the game's end, leaving players to endure slow movement for most of the journey.
Borrowing from Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, the photo-marker system is a great idea, but it's introduced too late. Players could have used it earlier to mark secrets and puzzles, but by the time it's available, many opportunities are missed. The game's pacing and progression could have been vastly improved with this feature.
Combat, however, shines as a bright spot. Kratos' spear and boons provide a deep and satisfying combat system. The health flask adds a unique twist, allowing players to sip for quick healing or take a longer drink for more substantial recovery. Upgrades are plentiful, letting players customize their playstyle. But even here, a flaw emerges: combat feels weightless, with enemy hits having more impact than your own. This imbalance is especially noticeable in boss battles, where you face lesser-known mythical beasts.
The game's art style, a faux-pixel-art approach, is visually appealing, especially in the backgrounds. However, the movement is too smooth for true pixel art, and larger enemies sometimes break the illusion. The story, while initially dull, gains emotional depth as it delves into Kratos' character development and his evolving sense of duty.
One particularly frustrating section involves a frozen wasteland, where movement is painfully slow unless you light pyres to regain normal speed. This biome feels like a tedious obstacle, further hindering the overall experience.
God of War: Sons of Sparta has its moments of brilliance, particularly in combat and visual design. However, the lackluster exploration and movement mechanics make it hard to wholeheartedly recommend. It's a game that struggles to find its footing, leaving players with a mixed bag of enjoyable moments and frustrating design choices.
What do you think? Is Sons of Sparta a hidden gem waiting to be discovered, or does it fall short of the God of War franchise's high standards? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
