God of War Creator Critiques PS5 Side-Scroller as ‘Terrible First-Party Game’
David Jaffe, the creator of God of War, has expressed strong criticism of the newly released game Sons of Sparta. This title is a Metroidvania side-scroller developed by Mega Cat Studios. Despite initially stating a limited experience, Jaffe has played several additional hours and maintains his largely negative view.
David Jaffe’s Critique of Sons of Sparta
In his latest commentary, Jaffe focuses on various aspects of the game. He remains unimpressed with the choice to feature a younger version of Kratos. His frustrations seem to be directed towards the decision-makers at Santa Monica Studio and Sony, rather than the developers themselves.
- Visual Language: Jaffe mentions issues related to the game’s visual presentation.
- Readability: He highlights challenges in understanding gameplay elements.
- User Interface (UI): There are criticisms about the design and usability of the UI.
Industry Insights and Developer Support
During his critique, Jaffe acknowledges that his concerns may appear nitpicky but adds that collectively, they impact the gaming experience. He believes some of these issues could be addressed via patches in future updates.
Targeting Santa Monica Studio’s new head, Mary Olson, Jaffe expresses skepticism about her leadership style. He feels she is more focused on appeasing executives rather than enhancing the game’s quality.
A Competent Game, But Not God of War
While Jaffe admits Sons of Sparta can stand on its own, he argues it fails to live up to the God of War legacy. His final verdict is clear: “But it’s a terrible God of War game. It’s a terrible first-party game. And it’s an embarrassment that Santa Monica Studio allowed this to come out.”
Overall, Jaffe’s critique reflects his deep connection to the franchise and a longing for the brand’s former glory. Though his views are rooted in his experience, it is essential to recognize that he has not been involved in the franchise’s recent creative direction. Nonetheless, his insights provide a provocative perspective on the shifting landscape of PlayStation titles.
