PlayStation 5 Pro: God of War Trilogy Remake and New 2D Spin-off Announced
The God of War series celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, marking two decades since the release of the original title on the PlayStation 2 in March 2005. Santa Monica Studio commemorated the milestone with a series of announcements during a State of Play presentation last week, including a complete remake of the first three God of War games and a new spin-off, God of War: Sons of Sparta. The news underscores the enduring popularity of the franchise and PlayStation’s commitment to revisiting its iconic titles.
The company confirmed the original God of War trilogy is being remade, with legendary voice actor TC Carson reprising his role as Kratos. While details remain scarce, the project is currently in early development, and Santa Monica Studio has asked for patience as they function towards a more substantial update. This remake addresses long-standing fan requests to see the original games reimagined for modern platforms.
Alongside the remake announcement, PlayStation likewise shadow-dropped God of War: Sons of Sparta, a 2D action platformer developed by Mega Cat Studios in partnership with Santa Monica Studio. The game is available now on the PlayStation Store. God of War: Sons of Sparta features a canon story set during Kratos’ youth, focusing on his rigorous training at the Agoge alongside his brother, Deimos. The narrative is penned by the writing team behind God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök, and features TC Carson as the adult Kratos, serving as the story’s narrator.
The game explores a previously untold chapter in Kratos’ life, preceding his war against the gods and his subsequent transformation into a deity. The story begins with Kratos recounting his youth to his daughter, Calliope, detailing his and Deimos’ harsh Spartan training. The narrative kicks off when a fellow cadet goes missing, prompting the brothers to embark on a search.
According to Santa Monica Studio, God of War’s kinetic combat has been adapted for the 2D platformer genre. Kratos will utilize his spear and shield, and harness powerful artifacts known as the Gifts of Olympus to overcome a variety of enemies. The game’s design offers a fresh perspective on the established God of War universe.
God of War: Sons of Sparta diverges from the main series with its 2D metroidvania-style gameplay, reminiscent of titles like Ori and the Blind Forest and Hollow Knight. Players will focus on combat, exploration, and overcoming obstacles. The game features a diverse range of environments, including forests, swamps, mines, and snowy mountains, each with unique challenges and visual designs.
The game’s map system is designed to aid exploration, providing markers for main objectives and allowing players to create custom waypoints. Rapid travel options become available as the game progresses, connecting key locations like temples and campsites. These campsites also serve as upgrade stations, allowing players to enhance Kratos’ abilities and equipment using resources found throughout the world.
While the game’s initial stages are described as a more standard 2D action experience, the narrative gains momentum around the halfway point, culminating in a strong finale. Kratos gradually unlocks new skills, including a double jump and various Gifts of Olympus, such as the Sun’s Fury, which allows him to attack enemies and activate switches, and the Eternal Flame, which ignites obstacles and deals damage.
The combat system, while solid, is considered the game’s weakest point, lacking the depth and complexity of previous God of War titles. Kratos relies heavily on blocking and dodging, as he doesn’t have access to his signature Blades of Chaos during this period of his life. However, the variety of enemies, including skeletons, scorpions, minotaurs, and gorgons, keeps combat engaging. The game also features challenging boss battles with multiple phases.
God of War: Sons of Sparta offers a substantial playtime, with a single playthrough taking nearly 19 hours. The game encourages exploration with hidden areas, challenges, and optional storylines. A “Pit of Suffering” mode, unlocked after completing the main story, provides additional replayability with customizable challenges.
The game features a pixel art aesthetic, a stylistic choice that Santa Monica Studio says allows the game to run smoothly while maintaining a visually appealing experience. The soundtrack, composed by Bear McCreary, includes nearly 90 minutes of original orchestral music, alongside familiar themes from the series. The game also includes full Czech localization via subtitles.
God of War: Sons of Sparta is a compelling action platformer that provides a satisfying experience for fans of the series, offering a unique perspective on Kratos’ past. Despite a somewhat sluggish start and a less complex combat system, the game’s engaging story, diverse environments, and impressive presentation make it a worthwhile addition to the God of War universe.
