As 2026 approaches, speculation regarding the next chapter of the God of War saga has reached a fever pitch. For over a year, industry whispers have suggested that Sony’s Santa Monica Studio is crafting something substantial—be it a remastered collection, a standalone expansion, or a full-scale sequel. Given that the studio has been synonymous with Kratos since 2005, it is a foregone conclusion that they are deep in development on a major project.
While the prospect of another odyssey with the Ghost of Sparta is enticing, there is a segment of the audience—myself included—that craves a radical departure for the studio. It is time to step out of the shadow of Olympus and resurrect a forgotten relic of the PlayStation 2 era: Kinetica.
For the uninitiated, Kinetica was the inaugural project from Santa Monica Studio. Debuting in 2001, four years prior to the original God of War, it represented Sony’s ambitious answer to high-speed titles like F-Zero. This futuristic racer featured pilots fused with “kinetic suits,” effectively transforming humans into high-performance vehicles. While often relegated to a footnote for debuting the engine that would eventually power God of War, Kinetica stands as a mechanically dense arcade racer that is ripe for a modern revival.
On the surface, Kinetica follows a familiar structure: compete in multi-track “seasons,” outpace the opposition, and utilize power-ups to secure the podium. However, beneath its sleek exterior lies a surprising level of technical sophistication. Success demands more than just raw speed; it requires a mastery of aerodynamics. Because racers are essentially human motorcycles prone to wind resistance, oversteering can cause a catastrophic spin-out. This necessitates a level of calculated cornering rarely seen in the hyper-fast arcade genre.
The complexity extends to the stunt and boost systems. Players can execute “double-tap” boosts coming out of corners or store energy by holding specific inputs while crossing boost pads. Mid-air maneuvers are not just for show; successfully landing intricate tricks is the primary method for replenishing your boost meter. Even the power-up system requires strategy, as offensive and defensive tools are only granted after collecting specific crystal sets. These elements culminate in a movement system that rewards precision and risk-taking, including a drafting mechanic that demands perfect positioning behind rivals.
These mechanics play out across gravity-defying tracks that send players spiraling up walls and racing upside down through branching paths. Accompanied by a pulsing electronica soundtrack, the game exudes a specific turn-of-the-millennium aesthetic that feels remarkably fresh today, echoing the spirit of contemporary hits like Fast Fusion.
Revisiting Kinetica decades later reveals just how visionary Santa Monica Studio was at its inception. This isn’t a game you can sleepwalk through by pinning the throttle. It demands an understanding of weight distribution, air time, and human athleticism. It’s less about the machine and more about the limits of the body in motion.
Though a high-budget reboot currently seems unlikely, the timing has never been better. We are currently witnessing a renaissance of the arcade racer, evidenced by the success of titles like Mario Kart World and Sonic Racing: Crossworlds. With Star Wars: Galactic Racer on the horizon for 2026, Kinetica would be the perfect candidate to fill the niche left by the long-dormant F-Zero series.
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for a remake to experience it. Kinetica is currently available for $9.99 on the PlayStation Store and is included in the PlayStation Plus Premium catalog. If you’re looking for a hidden gem to master while waiting for the 2026 release slate to arrive, look no further. Perhaps if enough of us return to these neon-soaked tracks, Sony might finally take the hint.
Source: Polygon
