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| A screengrab from the God of War Demake, Bit of War |
Remember the brutal combos, the cinematic scale, and the vengeful roar of Kratos from the original 2005 God of War? Now, imagine that epic Greek mythology saga shrunk down, pixelated, and reborn as a tough-as-nails NES-style platformer. That’s exactly what the recently resurfaced fan game 'Bit of War' delivers—a delightful slice of retro gaming nostalgia that reimagines Sony’s blockbuster for an 8-bit world.
Forged in 2012 by Holmade Games as a pure labor of love, Bit of War is a free demake that strips the PS2 classic down to its core essentials. Gone are the lengthy cutscenes and intricate combo trees. In their place is a side-scrolling action-platformer where a pint-sized, caveman-esque Kratos (bearing a fun resemblance to Bonk’s Adventure) climbs, slashes, and ragefully platforms his way through bite-sized levels. It’s a fascinating “what if” scenario that asks: what if God of War launched alongside classics like The Cyber Shinobi and Alex Kidd?
An Alternate Myth for the Spartan
What makes Bit of War particularly intriguing isn’t just its retro aesthetic, but its creative approach to the source material. The developers didn’t simply condense the existing plot. Instead, they dug into old interviews with series creator David Jaffe to craft an alternate storyline—a “what could have been” ending for the Ghost of Sparta.
While the visceral gore is (understandably) lost to 8-bit limitations, Kratos’s iconic wrath remains fully intact. The game is a officially sanctioned fan project, developed with Sony’s permission for the use of the character, ensuring this demake is a legitimate piece of God of War history. As noted on its official page, the game is “a love letter to both the series itself as well as old school gaming in general.”
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| A cartoonized illustration of Kratos |
Tight Controls, Retro Challenge
Gone are the cinematic quick-time events and sprawling 3D arenas. Bit of War replaces them with tightly designed platforming, responsive controls for blocking attacks, and a focus on straightforward, challenging combat. The backgrounds embrace a charming, almost clip-art simplicity that feels authentically retro. Enemy variety leans into classic 8-bit tropes—think mummies, soldiers, and archers—but the game spices things up with iconic upgrades. Players can later wield the power of Euryale, using petrifying stares and wind blasts to conquer foes.
The game has clearly resonated with fans of both retro challenges and the God of War universe. To date, over 39,000 gamers have downloaded Bit of War from IndieDB, a testament to its quality and charm.
Ready to Take on Olympus in 8-Bits?
If you’re feeling nostalgic or just curious to see Kratos in a whole new (old) light, you can dive into this piece of gaming history right now. The full game is available to download for free.
Play 'Bit of War' for free on Itch.io here.
A Perfect Palate Cleanser for God of War Fans
Bit of War stands as a brilliant, fan-made counterpart to the main series’ grandeur. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of both Kratos’s story and the timeless challenge of well-crafted 8-bit action. After experiencing the emotional depth of God of War Ragnarok or replaying the original trilogy, this demake offers a fun, brisk, and wonderfully nostalgic alternative.
It’s a reminder that great gameplay and compelling characters can transcend generations—and graphical fidelity.
Ready to return to the modern, epic saga? Continue Kratos and Atreus’s journey in the critically acclaimed sequel.
Experience the complete story: Buy God of War Ragnarok for PlayStation here.