God of War: Sons of Sparta is expanding its reach beyond PlayStation 5, with Sony Interactive Entertainment confirming that the 2D action-platformer is coming to PlayStation 4 on November 16. The new release will arrive alongside a free content update introducing two additional game modes, giving players on both consoles another reason to return to Kratos’ earlier adventures.
Developed by Mega Cat Studios in collaboration with Santa Monica Studio, God of War: Sons of Sparta originally launched on February 12, 2026, as a surprise PlayStation 5 release. Set during Kratos’ youth, the canonical prequel follows him and his brother Deimos as they endure Spartan training and face the dangers surrounding their homeland. Its retro-inspired presentation takes the franchise in a different direction, bringing its familiar combat and mythology into a 2D action-platforming experience.
The upcoming update introduces Hermes Mode and Erebus Mode, both of which will be available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Hermes Mode is designed around speedrunning, adding a dedicated toolkit that includes a split-based timer and persistent scoreboard for players looking to improve their times. The mode normally becomes available after completing the game, although players can access it earlier by entering a special button combination at the start menu.
Meanwhile, Erebus Mode offers a considerably more unforgiving challenge, with both Kratos and his enemies falling after a single hit. This should provide a different kind of test for players who want to push their combat skills to the limit without the usual margin for error.
Players will need to select their preferred mode when starting a new game and choosing a save slot. However, there is an important restriction to keep in mind, as the selected mode cannot be changed once assigned to that save file.
With its arrival on PlayStation 4, God of War: Sons of Sparta will become accessible to an additional audience, while the free update brings new challenges for those who have already journeyed through its version of ancient Greece. Both the PS4 release and the new modes are scheduled to arrive on November 16 at midnight local time.