God of War Creator Criticizes ‘Total Crap’ 2D Title as Major Misstep
The gaming community is abuzz following strong critiques from David Jaffe, the creator of the iconic God of War series. His recent comments target the newly launched spin-off, Sons of Sparta, which has not received the warm reception many anticipated. Jaffe openly expresses dissatisfaction with key elements of the game, which he believes fall short of fans’ expectations.
David Jaffe’s Critique of Sons of Sparta
In a nearly 10-minute video, Jaffe voiced his discontent with Sons of Sparta, stating it is “insulting to the fans” and those involved in its development. While he acknowledges the game’s core mechanics, he emphasizes issues related to its price, production quality, and the portrayal of the main character, Kratos.
Major Concerns Raised
- Characterization of Kratos: Jaffe questions the decision to feature a younger version of Kratos, stating it diverges from the character that built the billion-dollar franchise.
- Game Experience: His initial hour of gameplay led him to describe the experience as “generic and dull,” expressing frustration over repetitive dialogue and subpar voice acting.
- Production Values: Jaffe contrasts Sons of Sparta with other successful side-scrollers, mentioning titles such as Blasphemous and Ninja Gaiden, suggesting they offer better gameplay for a lesser price.
The Narrative Quality of the Game
Jaffe theorizes that the game’s narrative-heavy approach might stem from Santa Monica Studio’s evolving focus on storytelling, particularly after the pacing observed in God of War Ragnarok. This intentional slowdown may not resonate well with audiences craving more action-driven content.
Comparisons and Market Reception
By comparing Sons of Sparta to other titles, Jaffe argues that it fails to provide value for its $30 price tag. While he critiques the direction taken with the game, he also indicates that his hour of play was insufficient to fully evaluate its depth, acknowledging it could possess merits that remain undiscovered within a longer gaming session.
Industry Implications and Developer Reflection
Jaffe’s impassioned remarks extend beyond mere product critique; they express a deeper concern about the creative directions within the gaming industry. He concludes that decisions made by Sony reflect a troubling decline in understanding what players desire from established franchises.
His candid feedback serves as both a warning and an intriguing commentary on the future of project development within the PlayStation ecosystem. As the community digests these insights, the response to Sons of Sparta remains to be seen, potentially influencing future installments in the God of War franchise.
