A new rumour making the rounds suggests that Sony Santa Monica’s next God of War title might not be the full-fledged sequel fans were expecting, but rather a 2.5D Metroidvania-style spin-off set during Kratos’ original rampage through Greece.

According to industry insider “The Snitch” on Discord, this unannounced game would revisit Kratos’ Greek mythology roots, but with a modern side-scrolling twist a bold pivot away from the cinematic, over-the-shoulder style popularized in God of War (2018) and Ragnarök.

While details remain thin, the project is allegedly in development at an external studio, not Santa Monica Studio itself, though Cory Barlog is said to be overseeing the creative direction. Early reports also hint at pixel-art-inspired visuals, seamless interconnected maps, and familiar Greek locales like Athens, Tartarus, and Mount Olympus now reimagined with layered level design and unlockable traversal tools.

This wouldn’t be Kratos’ first foray into side-scrolling action. Long-time fans might remember God of War: Betrayal on Java-based mobile phones in 2007. But this time, the scale would be far grander think Dead Cells meets Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, with all the gore, gods, and ghostly vengeance the franchise is known for.

If true, this move could signal a new experimental direction for the God of War brand, possibly bridging the gap before a full Atreus-led sequel arrives years down the line.

Of course, take all of this with a Leviathan Axe-sized grain of salt until Sony makes it official. Still, a God of War Metroidvania sounds like something we’d tear through faster than Kratos slays a Hydra.

We’ll be watching this rumour closely. If there’s truth behind it, expect an announcement at one of this month’s major gaming events maybe even Summer Game Fest or tomorrow’s State of Play.

1-UP Games will be covering all the reveals, trailers, and surprises throughout June—stay locked in.