God of War: Sons of Sparta comes to PS4 on 16 November with free update

PS4 version arrives on 16 November

God of War: Sons of Sparta will launch on PlayStation 4 on 16 November, according to Gematsu.

The side-scrolling action game first appeared on PlayStation 5 on 12 February 2026. The new version brings the title to Sony's earlier console, and every owner of the game will receive the update at no extra cost.

Two new modes join the game

The free update adds two game modes. Players pick one when starting a new game and choosing a save slot, and the choice is then locked to that save file for good.

The first is Hermes Mode, a speedrun option built around racing the clock. It includes a timer that records split times, a scoreboard that carries over between runs and other tools for runners. Players unlock it after clearing the story once. Those who want it sooner can enter a button sequence on the title screen: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, then L1, R1 and the touchpad.

The second is Erebus Mode, described as the hardest challenge in the game. In it, both the player and every enemy die from a single hit, so each encounter becomes a test of precision.

A 2D prequel starring young Kratos

The game tells an earlier story in the God of War series, long before Kratos became a god. It follows him and his brother Deimos as Spartan trainees, and the pair set out to find a missing fellow cadet.

Gameplay takes place across varied 2D levels that mix combat with environmental puzzles. Players also face mythological bosses drawn from Greek legend. Mega Cat Studios developed the pixel-art title with Santa Monica Studio, the team behind the mainline God of War games.

What it means for players

The release gives PlayStation 4 owners their first chance to play the game without newer hardware. It also widens the audience for a series that has otherwise been tied to Sony's current console.

The update matters for existing players too, since both new modes arrive free on all platforms. Because a mode is tied permanently to the save slot chosen at the start, players should decide before committing a file, particularly with the unforgiving Erebus Mode.