God of War Sons of Sparta, the 2D side-scrolling spin-off that launched on PS5 in February, is coming to PlayStation 4 on November 16 at midnight local time, according to the PlayStation Blog. A patch released at the same moment adds two new game modes, Hermes Mode and Erebus Mode, on both PS4 and PS5.
Table of Contents
Sons of Sparta PS4 release date and key facts
- PS4 release: November 16, 2026, at midnight local time (the PlayStation Blog’s wording)
- New modes: Hermes Mode (speedrunning) and Erebus Mode (one-hit challenge)
- Platforms for the modes: PS4 and PS5, delivered by a patch from developer Mega Cat Studios
- Cost of the update: described as a free content update by Gematsu; the PlayStation Blog post does not use the word
Official key art for God of War Sons of Sparta, now heading to PS4. Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment
What are Hermes Mode and Erebus Mode?
Both modes are picked when you start a new game and choose a save slot. The PlayStation Blog notes that once a mode is chosen for a save file, it cannot be changed, so a run in either mode needs its own slot.
Hermes Mode is built for speedrunners. The PlayStation Blog describes it as a race against the clock with a dedicated speedrunning toolkit that includes a split-based timer and a persistent scoreboard, “and more.” You unlock it by finishing the game once, or by entering a code on the start menu: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, L1, R1, Touchpad.
Erebus Mode is the hard option. The blog says both you and your enemies fall in a single hit.
AI-generated illustration of a Spartan training scene with a speedrun timer, not game footage
How much is Sons of Sparta on PS4, and is there an upgrade?
This is not stated. The November 13 update to the PlayStation Blog gives the PS4 date and the two modes but no PS4 price, no PS4 file size and nothing on whether PS5 owners get the PS4 version, or how saves move between the two. None of this appears in the Gematsu report either.
The only prices on the blog post come from its original February text about the PS5 launch: the Standard Edition at $29.99 USD, €29.99, £24.99 and ¥3,480, and the Digital Deluxe Edition at $39.99 USD, €39.99, £32.99 and ¥4,480, both digital on PlayStation Store. Treat those as PS5 launch prices, not confirmed PS4 pricing. We’ll update this post when Sony publishes PS4 store details.
Who made Sons of Sparta?
Sony Interactive Entertainment publishes the game, which was developed by Mega Cat Studios with Santa Monica Studio. Sony describes it as a canon story set in Kratos’ youth, when he and his brother Deimos train as Spartan cadets, in a retro-inspired 2D action platformer. The cast includes TC Carson as the adult, narrating Kratos and Antony Del Rio as the young Kratos, and Bear McCreary composed the score.
Why it matters
A PS4 version widens the audience for a game that launched on PS5 only, and the patch adds replay options for existing PS5 players. Santa Monica Studio’s next full game, God of War Laufey, was delayed to May 20, 2027. If you are planning your PlayStation backlog, see our list of PS5 games coming out in December 2026 and the PS Store Black Friday game deals.
What’s next
The game and the patch go live on November 16, and Sony has not yet published PS4 pricing or store details. Check PlayStation Store for the price and any upgrade terms before you buy.
Sources: PlayStation Blog (updated Nov 13, 2026); Gematsu. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
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Featured image: Sony Interactive Entertainment
