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| God of War: Sons of Sparta banner is shown |
For fans of the Ghost of Sparta, few voices carry as much weight as that of David Jaffe. As the creator of the iconic God of War franchise, Jaffe hasn’t shied away from voicing his opinions on the direction of the series since he last worked on it back in 2008. However, his latest critique regarding the newly shadow-dropped God of War: Sons of Sparta might just be his most scathing yet.
In a recent YouTube video, Jaffe unloaded a torrent of criticism about the 2D action platformer, questioning everything from the portrayal of a young Kratos to the game’s very reason for existence.
A "Generic Kid Version" of Kratos?
Validating months of rumors surrounding a metroidvania-style God of War title for the PS5, Sons of Sparta was surprisingly released during the latest State of Play presentation. The game returns to the blood-soaked sands of ancient Greece, chronicling the training and early years of a youthful Kratos.
While fans have long been curious about the character's origins, Jaffe believes the execution is deeply flawed. After playing the title for just an hour, he revealed that he is "never going back to it."
"I have to wonder if anyone actually asked for this," Jaffe mused in the video. He argues that the depiction of Kratos as a "generic kid version" strips the character of the menace and tortured rage that made him iconic. According to the creator, the game itself feels sanitized, lacking the brutal, visceral gore and over-the-top violence the original Greek saga was known for.
This isn’t the first time Jaffe has clashed with the newer interpretations of his creation. He has previously been vocal about his disapproval of Kratos' evolution in the 2018 soft-reboot and its sequel, Ragnarök. While those titles generated furious sales and critical acclaim for transforming Kratos into a nuanced, even-tempered father, Jaffe maintains that the writers took too many liberties with the character’s core identity.
When Gameplay Takes a Backseat to Narrative
Another major point of contention for Jaffe is the game’s structure. Sons of Sparta leans heavily into storytelling, but according to the creator, this emphasis comes at a cost.
In his review, Jaffe points out that the flow of the game is frequently interrupted by dialogue sequences, halting the faster-paced exploration and combat that fans expect from the franchise. He admitted in the video that he doesn't find the narrative particularly compelling, though he conceded that it "could become more engrossing as it develops."
For those wanting to hear Jaffe’s full, unfiltered breakdown of the game, you can watch his full commentary.
Is It Worth the Price of Admission?
Despite his laundry list of grievances, Jaffe did offer a slight olive branch. At one point in the video, the franchise’s mastermind declares that God of War: Sons of Sparta is "not a bad game."
However, he quickly pivots to questioning its value. He argues that at a $30 price point, the title struggles to compete with other games in the genre. He specifically mentioned Shinobi: Art of Vengeance as a side-scrolling alternative that boasts superior production value and polish for a similar investment.
Fan Reception Remains Divided
While Jaffe’s perspective is uniquely critical given his history with the franchise, the broader gaming community seems more accepting, if not entirely enthusiastic.
On review aggregator Metacritic, Sons of Sparta currently holds a solid, if not spectacular, user review score of 7.5. Many players are embracing the new interpretation of Kratos and the return to the Greek mythology setting. However, the criticism from players echoes Jaffe’s sentiments in some areas: a significant portion of players suggest that while the game is fun, it simply doesn't do enough to stand out in the increasingly crowded metroidvania genre.
Ultimately, God of War: Sons of Sparta finds itself in a strange position: defended by fans but denounced by its own creator. Whether it will find a lasting audience remains to be seen, but for David Jaffe, the Sparta of his past is best left in the past.