God of War: Son of Sparta, the 2D Game for PS5 — Our Take

For God of War enthusiasts, February 2026 proved to be a month full of exciting news. As fans eagerly await the release of the sixth installment, Santa Monica Studios revealed a major project during the latest State of Play: a remake of the original God of War trilogy, set in the world of Greek mythology. Having previously explored Norse folklore, the series now prepares to go back to its roots and revisit the origins of what would become a gaming classic.

But beware, patience will be required: the studio has confirmed that the project is still very much in development. To keep fans from waiting too long, they’ve also dropped a surprise announcement. A brand-new God of War game, developed in collaboration with Mega Cat Studios, is now available on PlayStation 5. The game is titled God of War: Son of Sparta.

This 2D metroidvania takes players back to the early days of Kratos in Sparta. Throughout this adventure, gamers will need to unlock new skills as they search for the gods' blessings on Mount Olympus, all while battling a variety of creatures inspired by Greek mythology—and beyond!

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The game boasts stunning visuals and evokes a comforting sense of nostalgia with its retro-inspired design. More than anything, it offers a deep dive into Kratos’ past, filling in the blanks we only knew bits and pieces of before. This adds a new layer of depth to the character. It also serves as a bridge between the recent installments, where we already saw a different side of the ruthless god of war, and the upcoming remake of the original trilogy.

In terms of gameplay, things are fairly straightforward, with traditional mechanics that may feel a bit too familiar given the game's length—roughly 13 hours—which can make the experience seem somewhat repetitive. While there are a few clever nods to the interfaces of the original God of War, the overall style remains quite distinct. In this title, the gameplay serves as a vehicle for the story, rather than the other way around. That’s why we especially recommend it to players who are eager to immerse themselves in Kratos’s personal journey through this narrative-driven adventure.