PlayStation just pulled off a genuine surprise. God of War: Sons of Sparta launched on PS5 today without any prior announcement. The game is available right now for $29.99 in the US and €30 in Europe.
This isn’t the God of War you know. Sons of Sparta ditches the cinematic over-the-shoulder camera and Norse mythology for a two-dimensional side-scrolling experience with pixel art visuals. Players control a much younger version of Kratos in what appears to be a Metroidvania-style adventure.
The game returns to the Greek era that defined the original God of War trilogy. The title “Sons of Sparta” references Kratos’ origins as a Spartan warrior before his transformation into the Ghost of Sparta. This marks a clear departure from the recent Norse-focused entries that concluded with God of War Ragnarök in 2022.
Mega Cat Studios leads development on this project. The studio is known for creating retro-style games and has previously worked on indie titles with classic gaming aesthetics. Santa Monica Studio retains publishing duties as the franchise owner.
The reveal trailer shows combat with both a spear and sword. The pixel art style creates a distinctly different visual identity compared to the photorealistic graphics of the 2018 reboot and its sequel.
Some reports suggest the game includes co-op functionality, though this has not been officially confirmed in all materials. The store page lists the game as available exclusively for PS5 at launch, with no mention of a PC version or other platforms.
