10 Best Games Like God of War: Sons of Sparta 2026

While the story in God of War: Sons of Sparta is pretty strong, the actual playthrough wound up slow and boring. It’s a disappointing shame when the trailer painted such a huge potential for the next fascinating Kratos adventure. And in 2D retro-modern action-platforming no less. 

But Metroidvania has core pillars that few have managed to get right, including engaging exploration, tight platforming, and satisfying combat. In today’s best games like God of War: Sons of Sparta, we go over the competitors whose gameplay won’t disappoint.

10. The Last Faith

For the best Metroidvanias done right, look no further than The Last Faith. The combat is tight, precise, and not for the faint-hearted. It throws intense challenges at you throughout the depressing world of Eryk.

Your protagonist is running out of time, trying to unravel his past before his mind deteriorates, to dust. The lore is pretty rich as well, as you bump shoulders with ancient religions and divinities. But overall, a brutal session that will dabble in both Soulslike and non-linear exploration.

9. Dead Cells

Another competent action-platformer you absolutely must play is Dead Cells. It shares a similar M.O. to The Last Faith, with the protagonist, a bunch of dead cells, hoping to survive by killing and taking over his enemies’ bodies. 

Brutal violence is the only path forward, with death forcing you to restart the run. A roguelite gameplay system that ensures every run feels worth it, thanks to responsive controls, rewarding branching paths, and adrenaline-fueled Souls-lite dungeon-crawling. 

8. Axiom Verge 2

The first game is fun enough, with satisfying character progression and tough bosses. However, feel free to play Axiom Verge 2, which expands on the rich atmospheric environments and natural-like world.

A massive, Earth-like world of parasitic machines, both friendly and not so. You’ll explore the world, collecting and upgrading your tools and weapons, including a remote drone you use to explore a parallel reality with its own challenges.

7. Blade Chimera

For a change of pace, you might enjoy the cyberpunk-themed Blade Chimera but also with occult ideas. The protagonist, a demon hunter Shin, explores Osaka, uncovering his past, while slaying a flurry of demons. 

Plus, the environments and enemy designs look damn good. Polished with impressive technique and beauty. 

6. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Over to Persian mythology, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown nails every aspect of a Metroidvania masterpiece, and fitting of the best games like God of War: Sons of Sparta. It looks stunning, with impeccable detail and design. 

The Prince crosses time and space to save his kingdom. His powers feel versatile, especially the time-bending abilities, with their dazzling visual effects. 

5. Animal Well

There’s a shocking balance of gorgeous and creepy in Animal Well, one that has you sticking around to bust open all of its secrets. With new items, you manipulate the environment, revealing hidden paths.

Not only your influence, but enemies interact with the environment, too, in surprising ways. It’s a constant, alluring ride spending time here, every step farther, whether encountering puzzles or minute environment details, proving meaningful. 

4. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

The Ori series has been one of the most talked-about action-platformers. Most especially because of its world design, deeply atmospheric and alien. It uses purple and blue hues to create an exotic place begging to be combed through. 

While Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest, both games have an incentive to play. A massive world with jaw-dropping, hand-painted artwork. But also emotional storytelling and rewarding gameplay. Platforming feels tight, precise, and smooth as hell, as does the combat system, refined and versatile, with its stream of abilities against varied bosses.

3. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

God of War: Sons of Sparta harkens to the old days, with its retro-modern art style. But why not dip into nostalgia with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night? Originally released in 1997, it’s amazing how this cult-classic still holds up today. It takes place in Dracula’s castle, controlling Dracula’s son, Alucard, as he sidescrolls his way to the top of the castle, past streams of enemies, mysteries, and tantalizing secrets. 

It’s a unique world and brilliant 2D art that set the pace for the design flow of Metroidvanias today, alongside the Metroid series. The race to top the leaderboards, uncovering multiple endings, and finally discovering the true secret to Dracula’s power. And if you’re up for it, you can go further down the Castlevania road, playing through Rondo of Blood, Order of Ecclesia, Aria of Sorrow, Bloodlines (Genesis), and more, for that sweet taste of classical side-scrolling action and background music.

2. Hollow Knight: Silksong

But as far as modern best games like God of War: Sons of Sparta go, Hollow Knight: Silksong is arguably the most popular. The sequel added all-new areas to explore, new abilities to discover in Pharloom kingdom, and swarms of bugs and beasts to slay. It doubled down on the tight and precise platforming of the original, ensuring you enjoy fast-paced exploration of its interconnected gothic insect world.  

But the combat system is also peak gaming, with its swift, acrobatic combat that shifts between ground and aerial combos. Despite being a tiny, little bug, your powers truly make you feel omnipotent, provided you master its faster, more aerial-focused combat and traversal.

1. Blasphemous 2

Perhaps you’re looking to double down on the darkness and violence of God of War: Sons of Sparta? Then, Blasphemous 2 is your best bet, going hard on brutal combat with a dark, religious tone. The pixel art is to die for, literally, when you cleanse the world of its cycle of death.  

It’s certainly a tough ask going up against the twisted, grotesque enemies of Blasphemous’ world. But you’ll have numerous chances to finesse your fighting, customizing and improving your toolsets with new, unique weapons. Combined with a non-linear world, packed with long-forgotten secrets, your journey here guarantees gaming sessions well spent.