The developers of the 2D side-scroller, God of War: Sons of Sparta, have revealed how players can access the game’s cooperative mode without the need to complete the main storyline first.

Earlier this month, God of War: Sons of Sparta was unexpectedly released for PS5. Created by Mega Cat Studios in collaboration with Sony Santa Monica, this retro-themed title explores the early years of Kratos and his brother Deimos as they undergo training in the harsh environment of Spartan Agoge.

Upon its launch, there was speculation about whether the game would feature a single-player mode or a two-player cooperative experience, especially since the PlayStation Store listed it as suitable for “1-2 players.” However, it was later clarified that the co-op aspect was actually a roguelike challenge mode that could only be accessed after finishing the main game, which led to some disappointment among fans.

Many players expressed their dissatisfaction, citing concerns such as “this feels misleading” and “it’s strange to lock cooperative play behind the completion of the story.” In response to this feedback, the team behind Sons of Sparta decided to address the issue by providing a code that can be input at the main menu, unlocking the endgame roguelike challenge mode right from the start.

The code is as follows:

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, L1, R1, Touchpad

When entered, this code will grant players access to The Pit of Agonies, which can be enjoyed solo or with a friend in local co-op.

The Pit of Agonies is designed to be quite challenging, which is why it was initially intended as endgame content. This mode will provide players with varying enemies and reward pools with each playthrough. A trailer showcasing this feature is available for viewing below.

In addition to Sons of Sparta, a remake of the original God of War trilogy is also underway. However, this project is still in its early development phase, so updates will be limited for now. As stated earlier this month, Sony expressed their commitment to celebrate the series’ origins while looking towards the future.

“We recognize that there has been significant interest in remaking the Greek saga, and we are grateful for the genuine enthusiasm from fans. We look forward to sharing more details as development progresses.”