God of War Sons of Sparta is coming to PS4 with two new ways to play
God of War Sons of Sparta is coming to PS4 on November 16, giving players on Sony’s older console a way to experience the 2D adventure. PS5 owners have something to look forward to as well: both versions are getting two new modes in a free update.
One is built for speedrunners, with a timer and persistent scoreboard. The other makes combat far more unforgiving by letting both Kratos and his enemies fall in a single hit.
If you missed the game’s PS5 release, this is the story of a young Kratos and his brother Deimos, well before the Norse adventures. Mega Cat Studios turns the series into a side-scrolling action game, while Sony says the story is part of the wider God of War canon.
The adventure follows Kratos and Deimos through Laconia. Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Mega Cat Studios
The PS4 release arrives alongside two new modes
Sony says the PS4 version and the update are due on November 16. Hermes Mode adds a split-based timer and a persistent scoreboard for players who want to race through the game.
The game combines action with exploration and puzzles. Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Mega Cat Studios
You can unlock Hermes Mode by completing the game once. Sony has also shared a start-menu code for anyone who wants to jump straight into speedrunning without finishing a previous playthrough.
Erebus Mode takes a different approach. Both you and your enemies go down in one hit, so a mistake can end a fight as quickly as a successful attack.
There is one choice to make carefully: Sony says you select a mode when starting a new game and choosing a save slot, and it cannot be changed for that save afterwards.
Sony says the story follows the brothers during their Spartan training. Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Mega Cat Studios
Kratos and Deimos explore a different kind of God of War
The brothers leave the Spartan training grounds and travel through Laconia. Combat revolves around Kratos’ spear and shield, with upgrades and abilities to find as you explore.
Sony says each weapon attachment has its own upgrade path, while three skill trees cover attacks, defence and movement. Divine artefacts called Gifts of Olympus add special attacks, including ranged options and melee combinations.
The enemies include familiar creatures such as minotaurs and satyrs alongside new interpretations of Greek mythology. You can also look for optional quests and encounters away from the main route.
The existing PlayStation Store listing describes single-player and local two-player co-op on PS5. Check the PS4 listing when the port arrives for its platform-specific details.
If you want a spare DualShock 4 controller for your PS4, Amazon has a third-party listing. Check its seller and condition before ordering. You do not need another controller for solo play.
Image credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Mega Cat Studios.
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