David Jaffe, the creator of God of War, has delivered a scathing review of the newly released side-scrolling spin-off titled God of War: Sons of Sparta. He describes the game as a "boring" and "insulting" deviation from the original series, criticizing its tone and content. Jaffe expressed his discontent after playing the game, which serves as a prequel featuring a young Kratos and his brother. Although the game is developed in a 2.5D Metroidvania style, he claims it fails to capture the essence of what made the God of War franchise successful. Jaffe believes the game lacks depth and is overly childish, leading him to recommend against purchasing it. His critique also touches on the limitations of the gameplay and visual design, prompting discussions about the future direction of the God of War series.

Is God of War: Sons of Sparta worth playing?

Based on Jaffe's critique and current player feedback, many fans may find it disappointing, especially if they were hoping for a game that captures the darker and more serious tone of the original trilogy. It might still appeal to those who enjoy indie platformers but may not satisfy dedicated God of War fans looking for the franchise's hallmark intensity and narrative depth.

God of War: Sons of Sparta was shadow-dropped during a recent PlayStation State of Play event, developing significant expectations among fans as a prequel set in the series. The game attempts to explore the early lives of Kratos and his brother, but heightening dissatisfaction among legacy fans has raised questions about the future of the franchise and its legacy. Jaffe’s comments reflect concerned feelings about maintaining brand integrity as new titles are developed within beloved series.