God of War Sons of Sparta features a localized two-player local couch co-op mode called The Pit, which unlocks after you complete the main single-player story campaign or use a special menu cheat code. While Deimos primarily acts as a companion NPC alongside Kratos during the main story, this dedicated end-game roguelite challenge mode lets you team up offline with a friend on your PS5 console.
Understanding the Campaign and Co-op Split
God of War Sons of Sparta is primarily designed as a single-player story experience featuring Kratos and Deimos. During your initial playthrough, Deimos functions strictly as a companion NPC, meaning you cannot jump straight into multiplayer or local co-op from the very beginning of the game. The developers structured the experience this way so players master Kratos's Spartan arms and learn enemy patterns before tackling cooperative challenges.
How to Unlock Local Co Op in The Pit
To access the two-player local co-op mode, you must first clear the main campaign, which automatically unlocks The Pit from the main menu. However, if you want to skip the progression requirement and test your skills immediately, you can input a classic button sequence on the starting menu.
- Navigate to the main title screen of the game.
- Press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, L1, R1, Touchpad on your controller.
- Verify that a new option appears on your menu to access the challenge mode.
- Select The Pit from the menu and connect a second controller for couch co-op.
Game Editions and Cooperative Content Access
Choosing which edition of the game to purchase affects your starting gear and digital bonuses, though both versions give you full access to the single-player campaign and post-game cooperative features. The game launched on February 12, 2026, exclusively for PlayStation 5 consoles.
| Game Edition | Included Content & In-Game Items | Cooperative Access |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | Full base game on PS5 | Unlocks via campaign completion or cheat code |
| Digital Deluxe Edition | Full game, Arrow of Virtue, Spear Tip Attachment, Rusty Scrap, Unstable Gemstone, Blood Orbs, Digital Artbook, Soundtrack, and Avatar | Unlocks via campaign completion or cheat code |
FAQ
Does God of War Sons of Sparta have online multiplayer?
No, the multiplayer experience in this title is strictly limited to two-player local (offline) couch co-op within the end-game roguelite mode called The Pit.
Can I play local co-op during the main story campaign?
No, the main story campaign is strictly a single-player experience where Deimos is controlled by AI as a companion NPC.
Do I need a PlayStation Plus subscription for couch co-op?
Because the cooperative mode is strictly local couch co-op, you do not need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to play with a friend on the same console.
How do I change audio and display settings for co-op sessions?
You can adjust subtitles, high contrast HUD elements, and audio cues directly through the system accessibility menu on your PS5 console before launching your session.