How to Unlock Co-Op in God of War: Sons of Sparta (2026 Guide & FAQ)

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Update: This guide is updated for the February 2026 release of God of War: Sons of Sparta (PS5) and includes official confirmations, community insights, and workarounds for online co-op.

You just picked up God of War: Sons of Sparta, the surprise shadow drop celebrating the franchise's 20th anniversary. You plugged in a second controller, ready to dive into Spartan training with a friend, excited to play as young Kratos and his brother Deimos side-by-side.

But… nothing happens. The second player won’t join. The menus don’t have a co-op option. Did you buy the wrong game? Is it broken?

Relax, Spartan. You haven’t done anything wrong. The confusion surrounding co-op in Sons of Sparta is widespread, but the solution is simple once you know where to look. This guide will explain exactly how to unlock co-op, why players are confused, and what you can actually play together.

Jump to: Quick Answer | Why Confused? | Official Answer | Step-by-Step | Online Workaround | What Co-Op Is NOT | Community Reaction | FAQ | Conclusion

Quick Answer: How to Unlock Co-Op

  • Complete the entire main story campaign (solo only).
  • Watch the credits roll.
  • Access the newly unlocked Challenge Mode from the main menu.
  • Connect a second controller and select Local Co-Op.

Key Notes:

  • Co-op is local couch co-op only (split-screen is a common search term, but this is single-screen).
  • Player 1 controls Kratos, Player 2 controls Deimos.
  • There is no native online multiplayer; see below for a Share Play workaround.

Guide to Unlock Co-Op in God of War: Sons of Sparta (2026)

Why Is Everyone Confused About Co-Op?

PlayStation Store Listing

The initial PlayStation Store page listed “1–2 players” and mentioned local co-op explicitly. Many buyers assumed the main story could be played with a friend.

Trailers and Marketing

Official trailers prominently featured Kratos and Deimos fighting side-by-side. The cover art shows both brothers together, naturally implying co-op throughout the campaign.

What Players Tried (And Failed)

Frustrated players attempted everything:

  • Plugging in a second controller at the main menu
  • Checking the Settings menu for co-op options
  • Waiting for a drop-in prompt during gameplay
  • Restarting the console and the game

Nothing worked, which led to refund requests and claims of misleading marketing.

The Official Answer: Mega Cat Studios Responds

While Santa Monica Studio oversees the God of War IP, Sons of Sparta is developed primarily by Mega Cat Studios, with collaboration from Santa Monica Studio.

Official clarification, posted via PlayStation channels and reported by gaming outlets, reads:

"After completing Sons of Sparta's main story, you will unlock a challenge mode that can be played solo or with local 2-player couch co-op."
—Mega Cat Studios / PlayStation Blog

This confirms that co-op exists but is locked behind the credits.

Step-by-Step: How to Unlock Co-Op Mode

Step 1: Complete the Main Story (Solo Only)

You must play through the narrative campaign alone. Deimos acts as a dynamic AI companion. The story follows young Kratos and Deimos as they train together and search for a missing cadet in Laconia.

Estimated Main Story Playtime: Early community reports suggest about 10–20 hours, depending on exploration and side challenges.

Step 2: Watch the Credits

After defeating the final boss, watch the credits roll. The game will save your completion status, and the main menu will update with new options.

Step 3: Access Challenge Mode

Return to the main menu. You should now see a new option labeled Challenge Mode, which is exclusively for post-game co-op play and skill-based challenges.

Step 4: Connect a Second Controller

Turn on a second DualSense controller and ensure it is synced to your PS5. The game will detect it automatically. Select Local Co-Op from the Challenge Mode menu.

Confirmed Roles:

  • Player 1: Kratos
  • Player 2: Deimos

This is fixed and consistent across all copies.

Step 5: Choose Your Challenge

Once co-op is active, you and your friend can select from a variety of combat-focused challenges:

  • Waves of enemies
  • Time trials
  • Unique combat modifiers

These challenges are separate from the main story and test your mastery of spear-and-shield combat.

The Secret Workaround: How to Play Co-Op Online

While the game has no native online multiplayer, you can use PS5 Share Play to allow a friend to play as Controller 2 from another location:

  1. Invite your friend to a Party on your PS5 dashboard.
  2. Start Sons of Sparta.
  3. Open the Party menu and select Start Share Play.
  4. Choose Play with the Visitor — your friend will act as Controller 2.

Note: Both players need a stable internet connection for the best Challenge Mode experience.

What Co-Op Is NOT

  • ❌ You cannot replay the main story with a friend
  • ❌ You cannot drop in/out during narrative missions
  • ❌ There is no native online matchmaking
  • ❌ Deimos is not playable in the main campaign

Community Reaction: Mixed Feelings

The Frustrated

Some players feel misled because the store listing suggested full-game co-op. Refunds have been requested in certain regions.

“Many players feel misled because the PS Store listed two-player support from the start, leading to refund discussions.” — MensJournal

The Understanding

Other players appreciate that the solo story builds the emotional bond between Kratos and Deimos. Challenge Mode is seen as a rewarding post-game bonus.

Ratings Perspective: Despite initial confusion, the game maintains a 4.81/5 star rating on the PlayStation Store (3,300+ reviews), indicating strong satisfaction once co-op is understood.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I play the whole game in co-op?

No. Co-op is post-game only, available in Challenge Mode.

Is online co-op supported?

No native online multiplayer exists. Use PS5 Share Play to play remotely.

Who controls which character?

Player 1 is Kratos, Player 2 is Deimos.

How long does it take to unlock co-op?

Completion of the main story is required, about 10–20 hours.

Can co-op be added to the campaign later?

No official announcements. Campaign co-op is unlikely.

I finished the game but don’t see Challenge Mode. What do I do?

Ensure your game is fully updated. Restart the console and check the main menu.

Can I get a refund because co-op isn’t in the campaign?

Some players succeeded citing the original PS Store listing. Refund policies vary by region.

Conclusion: Patience Rewards the Faithful

The confusion around co-op is understandable. Marketing suggested one thing, but the reality is different. Experiencing the story solo allows you to witness the formative bond between Kratos and Deimos.

After the credits roll, Challenge Mode unlocks, allowing you and a friend to wield the Arms of Sparta together, testing your combat skills and mastery of the 2D platforming combat system.

Have you unlocked Challenge Mode yet? How do you feel about the co-op setup? Share your experience in the comments below!

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