Bonus Episode #64 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews God of War: Sons of Sparta, the surprise same-day release from Sony's February 2026 State of Play, a 2D Metroidvania prequel developed by Mega Cat Studios in collaboration with Santa Monica Studio. Set during Kratos' youth at the Spartan Agoge, the game follows a teenage Kratos and his brother Deimos as they venture beyond Sparta's walls on a mission rooted in duty, brotherhood, and survival.

This Musical Review covers all dimensions of the experience, from the Metroidvania exploration loop, spear-and-shield combat system, and level design, to the story's emotional highs and lows, the pixel art presentation, and the technical rough edges that accumulate over the course of the campaign. We also dedicate time to Bear McCreary's remarkable original score, which blends chiptune sensibility with sweeping orchestral and choral arrangements to create one of the most distinctive soundscapes in the franchise's twenty-year history.

Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike.

EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS

Sons of Sparta from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary, 2026]
For the Glory of Sparta from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary, 2026]
Sparta from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary, 2026]
Mount Taygetos from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary, 2026]
Port of Messenia from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary, 2026]
Ode to Olympus from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary, 2026]
Laconian Woods from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary, 2026]
The Grand Cistern from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary, 2026]
The Sanctuary from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary, 2026]
Oenus Vineyard from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary, 2026]
The Veiled Bog from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary, 2026]
The Barren Steppe from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary, 2026]
The Drifting Spire from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary, 2026]
Brotherhood from God of War: Sons of Sparta [Bear McCreary feat. Logic, 2026]

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