Released on the 13th (Korean standard time), 'God of War: Sons of Sparta' has landed a rather lukewarm 68 on Metacritic. To make matters worse, the user score is sitting at a measly 6.5, suggesting that this entry isn't quite living up to the lofty reputation of the series.

God of War: Sons of Sparta takes us back to when Kratos, our favourite Spartan, was just a hot-headed lad rather than a fully-fledged god. The plot kicks off when a fellow trainee goes missing, prompting Kratos and his brother, Deimos, to embark on a journey to find them. It is a classic 2D action-adventure affair, featuring environmental puzzles and boss battles designed to push your Spartan training to the absolute limit.

However, critics have been quick to point out that it fails to capture the signature flair and mechanical depth we have come to expect from the God of War series. Some have even dismissed it as little more than a glorified freebie to mark an anniversary, criticising its weak narrative delivery. Others have bemoaned the flat pacing in the early game and the overly linear structure. When compared to genre staples like 'Hollow Knight', it is hard to ignore the fact that this title feels a bit light on content while carrying a surprisingly heavy price tag.

On the bright side, the sound design and straightforward storytelling have earned some praise. It is seen as a decent enough entry point for newcomers who haven't yet dipped their toes into the series. Furthermore, those who prefer a less punishing experience have appreciated the simplified difficulty options.

Meanwhile, God of War: Sons of Sparta has also found itself under fire from none other than David Jaffe, the man who laid the foundations for the series, drawing sharp criticism that has certainly got people talking.