Sony Interactive Entertainment and Mega Cat Studios have announced that the Metroidvania God of War: Sons of Sparta, which launched exclusively on PS5 in February 2026, will receive a PS4 version. Concurrently with the port for the previous-generation console, a content update adding two new game modes will be released. According to 3DNews, the decision to launch on PS4 was made as part of PlayStation's revised exclusive policy, and the project is unlikely to appear on PC.
What the update adds and how to unlock 'Hermes Mode'
The content patch introduces two additional game modes to God of War: Sons of Sparta. One of them — 'Hermes Mode' — becomes available only after the first full playthrough and is activated by a secret button combination on the controller: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, L1, R1, touchpad. The second mode is not described in detail in official announcements. The joint release of the PS4 version and the update is scheduled for November 16, 2026.
Pricing and platform strategy
On PS5, the standard edition of God of War: Sons of Sparta costs $30, and the deluxe edition costs $40. The cost of the PS4 version was not specified at the time of the announcement. Notably, in line with the updated PlayStation exclusive policy, which assumes earlier and wider distribution of projects across company consoles rather than third-party platforms, a PC port of the game does not appear to be planned. Thus, the PS4 is becoming the 'new target platform' for the title, which was initially positioned as a PS5 exclusive.
Plot and gameplay: A return to Kratos' roots
God of War: Sons of Sparta tells the story of events preceding Kratos' transformation into a god. At the center of the plot are a young Spartan and his younger brother Deimos, who are searching for the meaning of duty and honor. The game is a 2D Metroidvania with a Greek action component, designed for 10–12 hours of gameplay. According to the press, the project features a solid combat system, an atmospheric soundtrack, and well-thought-out level design, with a concise story that fits organically into the expanded Kratos universe.
Reception: Record low ratings and a sales paradox
Upon its release in February 2026, God of War: Sons of Sparta became the lowest-rated game in the series, receiving 64% on Metacritic. Original God of War creator David Jaffe issued harsh criticism of the project. Critics pointed to generic enemies, predictable skill progression, and the authors' unwillingness to take risks, calling the game 'solid but too safe'. However, on the Open Critic website, the project scored 75 approval points, although only 33% of players recommended it for purchase. Despite mixed reviews, the title was relatively successful in terms of sales, and it receives high user ratings on the PlayStation Store.
Who is behind the project
The developer of God of War: Sons of Sparta is the American studio Mega Cat Studios, known for the Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit project. The publisher is Sony Interactive Entertainment. The announcement and release of the game coincided in date — the project became the main surprise of the February State of Play, which, as the press observed, predetermined its unusual fate at the platform level.
