That would be God of War Laufey, according to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier. In a new video discussing why GTA 6 has so many games scared, he mentioned that some releases bound for September could inevitably slip, resulting in a crowded February/March 2027.

However, he added, “I wouldn’t be surprised if that gets announced for February or March pretty soon. “

If you’ll recall, neither PlayStation nor Santa Monica Studio revealed a release date or window, even as it dropped nearly 24 minutes of incredible gameplay during the last State of Play. However, rumors have been rife about a launch in the first half of 2027.

This is the first real report of an actual month (or two). It also means we could hear a lot more about the game later this year. A release date reveal at The Game Awards would certainly be appropriate, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Sony announced it beforehand. Then it could host a dedicated State of Play for it in February 2027.

Time will tell, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out our thoughts on the story and what we think could happen.

We were quite delighted to see her take on her own adventure in the latest State of Play, a move that’s seemingly been a long time coming. We know that the story runs parallel to 2018’s God of War, but a recent interview with Comic Games Magazine suggests that this chapter has quite a bit of narrative mileage on it as we embark on a new adventure with the Ghost of Sparta’s one and only.

“We want you to feel like there’s such an untapped universe. And this is just the beginning of a step into some of that,” said Woll.

We can’t help but wonder if Faye manages to find her way back to the land of the living at the end of her ordeal in the Everywhen, or if things will continue for even longer than expected. However things turn out, we’re always going to jump at the chance to get more of the franchise’s excellent combat and immersive storytelling, no matter whose eyes we’re seeing it all through.

But did you know it was in the planning stages as far back as 2018? Actor Deborah Ann Woll, who plays Faye, told CGM that, “I’ve known about this for nearly ten years, and I haven’t been able to talk about it.”

When asked if it was really ten years, Ann Woll responded, “Nearly. He [Cory Barlog] pitched it to me in 2018, and they had known about it before then. It’s wild. Like when Cory brought me in to talk about doing Ragnarök and show me the 2018 game, he already had a poster for the Laufey game with me and a cube. A cube that’s been there since the beginning. It’s deeply a part of the lore.”

For all those who deeply resent Phranque, played by Jack Quaid of The Boys fame, it may come as a disappointment. But those who already love him (read: me), as he launches enemies into the sky and shoves bigger foes without any fear, this sounds about right.

While it seemed at first glance that Santa Monica Studio was working backwards to tie into the previous two games, it may be the opposite. It would seem that Faye traveling to the Everywhen and confronting other Gods of War was always the plan. How does it affect her world, and is getting home really even possible?

We can’t really say, though there are plenty of other hypotheses worth exploring here. God of War Laufey is coming to PS5, allegedly in the first half of 2027, so hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long for answers.

She praised the original trilogy’s “pick up and play aspect” and how combos and juggles were “always something that I love doing.” However, she also enjoyed the “more kind of grounded, visceral, just really up close combat” of 2018’s God of War and Ragnarok.

“I like both of those things, so it’s really one of those, ‘Can I have chocolate and peanut butter together, right?'” And that’s how the team settled on Faye as the protagonist to combine these two systems. “What does it look like for those things to come together, and who can do that the best for us? And, you know, offer that agility, that flexibility, but still, you know, stand toe to toe with who we need to?”

Given Faye’s accolades in the Norse saga, serving as a champion for the giants and even standing up to Thor, it makes sense. Of course, she’s not alone, as the enchanted ribbon Rue and Phranque, a cosmic cube, throw their lot in. The former enables pulling enemies towards the player, priming them for follow-up attacks, while the latter can launch them. And that probably doesn’t scratch the surface of their capabilities.

With God of War Laufey allegedly launching in the first half of 2027, exclusively for PS5, it’s going to feel like an agonizingly long wait to dive into the combat system. In the meantime, check out our feature on everything you should know about the experience, and our thoughts on what may be happening in the story.

Lawrence spoke to FlowGames on YouTube about how Phranque, along with Rue, the talking ribbon on Faye’s sword, were important in God of War Laufey for both story and gameplay elements. The former in particular was a major source of excitement for the team at Santa Monica Studio.

“Both Phranque and Rue are really important, both in combat assists as supplemental to Faye, but also in traversal and puzzle solving, and just the utility of both of them and what they can do in the shapes that they’re in,” Lawrence said. “So, for Phranque, as a cosmic jelly cube, how we may use him in certain parts of the world has definitely been exciting for the team just in terms of design work for us.”

Interestingly, she also revealed that Phranque was part of the concept for God of War Laufey before Lawrence was even part of its development team. She noted that he was “one of the very first things” made for the title by Cory Barlog, and that he is a core part of the game’s overall story. Lawrence found it exciting to work with the character since she saw it as a way to see how far human connection could go when the subject is just a talking cube.

“When I came back to the team, the two characters that were there from the start with Cory were both Faye and Phranque,” Lawrence explained. “Phranque was one of the very first things…he’s always been a part of this story in the Everywhen. And I think about that possibility of taking something that feels kind of inanimate and not a person, and really seeing how we could drive connection and story and make you feel about a cube.”

“I think that was just an interesting challenge and pitch, and Cory and I were talking about it. I was like, ‘That’s really exciting. That’s something different.’ And I think that at the heart of it, too, it’s just the surprise factor of it that was just so exciting for the team. And where we could go with that mechanically has also been super cool.”

God of War Laufey was unveiled during Sony’s recent State of Play showcase, and is being developed exclusively for PS5. Santa Monica Studio hasn’t yet confirmed a release window for the title, but rumors have indicated that it “isn’t years away”.

As for the future of the franchise, Santa Monica Studio has said that it still has many more stories to tell involving Kratos. For now, however, the team is excited to explore the concept of “the afterlife of the gods” with Faye as the main character.

It’s a franchise that has been centered around Kratos for two entire decades, after all. You might argue that Atreus took up a bit of the spotlight in the franchise’s recent entries, but the story always revolved around Kratos and the people surrounding him, to the point where the rest of the cast were worked into his story instead of the other way around.

A game that has Faye taking over from Kratos then becomes a shift in the franchise’s direction. You could say it moves its center of gravity, but is it really a bad choice to do that? Faye does have deep ties to Kratos and comes with a lot of mystery surrounding her days before she met the man who would then mourn her death. We know she’s got a bit of history with Thor, too. It’s definitely a risk to have her as the leading character of a new addition to the franchise, but does that automatically mean that Laufey is doomed before it even gets off the ground?

This is an interesting debate, to be sure, and is one that we’re happy to dive into before we give you our take on it. Let’s get right to it.

An Understandable Set Of Concerns

Let’s start with what those who are against the very idea of Laufey are saying, since the concerns surrounding Faye’s new leading role must be given their due. Kratos has definitely been the focal point of more than just the story, with the combat and associated mechanics being tailored to match his fighting style. He’s an intense, often brutal brawler who brings calculated aggression to any battle.

Of course, the franchise has spent a very long time setting that up, allowing its emotional beats to tie directly into how Kratos approaches challenges and adventure alike. His evolution from a rage-filled former Spartan looking to bring an end to his enemies in the Greek myth, to someone who struggles to keep his past buried away, has informed how he controls himself and those around him. We never thought we’d ever call him the controlling type, but after the last two entries, that’s now a thing.

His story is one that burns with the intensity of a man who doesn’t let anything stand between him and his goals, a facet that has guided all of the adventures we’ve had with him over the years. He brings an emotional payoff to all of them, while also serving as the perfect vehicle for combat systems centered around balancing his tactical thinking with his unbridled rage.

Could Faye match that intensity in her own adventure? Could the story in the new location feel like it adds value to the overall setting built around Kratos, validating Sony’s insistence that Laufey is neither a prequel nor a spinoff? Will Phranque and Rue manage to fit within the franchise’s tone well enough to make them companions who are as memorable as Mimir?

These are all valid questions, and if we were to weigh in, we’d say it’s too early to answer them, but we will say that they all stem from attachment to a fan base that has been pretty vocal about their demands. And the fact that these questions are being asked is a good thing.

But doesn’t Faye deserve a chance? After all, the game isn’t out yet, right?

Brimming With Potential

Faye is no stranger to Kratos. In the myth, her rapport with the giants is well known, fending off Asgard’s ambitions long before she even met Kratos. That makes her a capable warrior in her own right, while we also get to see a strategic side to her, thanks to how it was her actions that set Kratos and Atreus down the path to ending Asgard’s threat once and for all.

When you look at it from that perspective, Laufey could certainly help flesh out her character better, while also giving us insights into her past that might inform our knowledge of the broader conflict between Asgard and the giants, all from the perspective of a capable warrior who was a credible threat to the villains. Her legacy definitely matters, and the chance to see more of it could bring a fresh new perspective to Kratos and Atreus’s future outings.

Faye might be a new playable protagonist, but she’s been a part of the franchise’s emotional core for a long time, and an important one at that. That’s probably where the biggest risk for Laufey comes into play. It’s a title that must justify its existence to a very discerning set of fans, ensuring that Faye’s time in the new location gives further insights into the stories we’ve already experienced. It must feel like a necessary addition instead of a distracting detour.

Achieving that might be easier said than done, as Laufey’s supporting cast may seem like risky additions according to some, and that could go against the tone that’s been set over the past few years. Phranque and Rue do look like they could be solid companions to Faye as she tries to navigate her new circumstances, but they seem too light and quirky in the brief glimpse we got of the new game. Of course, we’re going to assume that this won’t be the case throughout the game, but that’s something that can only be confirmed when we experience it.

Our minds immediately went to Mimir and how he became an invaluable companion to Kratos and Atreus, often being the one to find a suitable middle ground between dealing with matters aggressively or tactfully. He brought a dash of humor to both the adventures he was in, but that was balanced out by his own flaws and the mistakes of his past that he came to regret. He felt grounded within the emotional framework of the franchise. Phranque and Rue need to fulfil a similar role in Laufey, and do it so well that we would appreciate them right off the bat.

There’s also the notion that this isn’t the first big shift in the franchise’s direction to hit us. The jump from the PS2’s unbridled revenge story to the more measured take in the recent one worked thanks to solid development work. It was a shift in tone that succeeded because it was executed very well, and Laufey is going to have to emulate that, and perhaps even surpass it in order to succeed.

But we think that it’s a strong possibility, and the gameplay is what makes us confident about it.

A Capable And Agile Warrior

The developer’s assertion that Laufey aims to blend the speed and agility of combat systems from the older games with the precision of the latest titles might sound like a ploy to get us interested in Laufey if it weren’t for the evidence that has been placed right in front of us. Faye might not be as imposing as Kratos, but she’s certainly as deadly as him when you put a potent weapon in her hand. She was the former owner of the Leviathan Axe, and wielded it impressively enough to make Brok and Sindri proud of it, and of the warrior in whose hands it did destructive damage to the enemies.

The new sword she gets, thanks to Rue, looks to be quite a nasty weapon in her hands, and the fact that Rue’s ribbon-based moves are incorporated into her new fighting style immediately took us back to the reach and crowd control potential of the Blades of Chaos. It’s a great way of blending her former weapon’s single-target capabilities with something that comes close to Kratos’ arsenal, but with fresh twists that could make Faye’s very interesting to learn and master.

Another aspect of Laufey that has us very intrigued is her innate magical abilities, and the fact that the new location amplifies them to a point where she could separate enemy souls from their shells and use them to incorporate additional attacks into her combos. Combine all of that with her agility and speed, and you get a gameplay loop that feels mechanically distinct enough to stand out from the franchise’s previous entries.

Of course, the enemies you take on with the new combat system are an important part of the experience, and the glimpses of the new location’s rogues gallery that we’ve been given have us reasonably optimistic about Laufey’s chances at doing well when it finally releases. If the combat works well with the setting, this could feel like a game that has all the ingredients to make gamers notice.

But of course, we have to consider how a new game without Kratos is a hard sell for anybody who’s been following the series. The franchise gave him an overhaul from a mad, revenge-filled man to a somber and reflective one, and it was a shift that was well-received thanks to how the new mechanics were able to justify it. But is it ready for another one, and a title where Kratos takes a backseat to a new lead?

Laufey is taking on a massive creative burden on that front, and the reveal has only managed to divide the franchise’s fan base over the potential for its success. It needs to prove that Faye is capable enough of carrying an entire campaign on her shoulders, while the new location needs to become more than a concept. It needs to be the stage for a new chapter in the franchise, and one that connects back to everything that we already know and is detailed enough to make it a worthy addition to the game.

The skepticism surrounding Laufey is understandable when you consider the enormous risks it is undertaking, but it’s also what makes it such an interesting addition to the franchise. Laufey and Faye deserve a chance before we pass judgment on them. It doesn’t deserve blind confidence, not yet, but it mustn’t be written off just yet.

Reinventions aren’t a new thing in gaming, and Laufey is one that must prove itself before it becomes an accepted part of the fan base. But what we’ve seen of it makes us optimistic about its chances, and we can’t wait for its 2027 release to see if that sentiment was well-deserved or not.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Not a Prequel

Pretty obvious, considering that a new journey begins the very moment Faye is laid to rest, one that may run concurrently to the Norse saga (depending on how time works in this new world). While Santa Monica Studio considered making a prequel, it instead opted to start “right where we left off” and continue from Faye’s perspective.

Potentially Saving Kratos and Atreus

Besides the dilemma afflicting the Everywhen, where magic begins and ends – though the developer has hinted at its “true nature – Faye has a personal stake in all this: returning home to Kratos and Atreus. Why? Because of the discovery of another Mask, which could mean that her plan – which seemingly involves them going on their pivotal journey – is in jeopardy. Again, there’s a lot obfuscated, but for Faye, “Find your way home” is more than just a promise.

Faye’s Character

When you land in a completely unknown world where everything is trying to kill or capture you, getting thrown off is completely natural. That’s exactly what happens to Faye, but Santa Monica Studio considers her more “improvisational” than Kratos. Case in point: looking for ways to escape, destroying a magical cask to set herself free and reaching out to those around her – due to being less emotionally closed off – for help. For the player, this helps in learning more about her character and the Everywhen simultaneously while ensuring the pacing remains brisk.

Jumping is Back

We know, we know – it feels like the return of jumping, which we haven’t seen since the original trilogy, may be kind of overblown. But when you consider that it’s been over 16 years since Kratos was hopping around on Mount Olympus, laying waste to all and sundry, it’s a welcome sight, especially since it adds some new dimensions to traversal and combat.

More Agile and Fast-Paced Combat

Before they married, Kratos and Faye had actually fought, with the former describing her fighting style as “beautiful.” Laufey finally shows us what he meant, and we’re inclined to agree. It isn’t just the air-dashing or launching enemies to juggle them in mid-air. Faye’s fighting style makes use of her agility in interesting ways, whether it’s grappling towards an enemy to kick them in the face or pulling them towards her for a quick execution. As the developer described in the combat quick look, the ability to “transition seamlessly between the air and the ground states led to this hyper responsiveness that quickly became fundamental to what made her so fun to play.”

Still Brutal

That said, even if it doesn’t have the same gore as the original trilogy, Laufey still retains the brutality of the Norse saga. One sequence sees her attempting to separate Begtse’s right shoulder while the sword is lodged deep in the left. So while there’s definitely a “lot of fun, new, more over-the-top things that you can do in this game compared to the grounded nature of the previous two games,” per the quick look, it’s still using the modern system as a strong foundation.

The Golden Hand of the Jötnar

Despite flowing with magic before, something has happened to the Everywhen to disrupt it. But while Faye doesn’t have a handle on it initially, she regains the Golden Hand of the Jötnar, which is now supercharged for some reason. The fact that she’s more comfortable wielding magic than Kratos means she’ll unlock even more new spells on her journey, but it’s probably going to be difficult to top…

Soul Snatcher

What’s better than ejecting an enemy’s soul right out of their body, Dr Strange style? Being able to attack that soul and deal damage, and then reconnect them together, creating a fiery explosion which hurts nearby enemies. Funnily enough, the more the soul is attacked, the more it gains this volatility, which can disintegrate those in its path, thus opening up even more combo and crowd control potential.

Two New Companions

Compared to the previous games where Kratos has either fought solo or with a companion like Atreus (with Mimir around to mostly provide commentary), Laufey has two – Rue and Phranque. If the rumors are true, then there may be a third companion right under everyone’s noses. For now, however, we’re fine with having two allies who hold their own in a battle in their own ways.

Phranque, the Cosmic Cube

A cosmic cube, played by Jack Quaid, best known as Hughie from The Boys. While providing more than enough quips to entertain (or annoy) players, he’s also very protective of Everywhen’s creatures. We saw one imprisoned with a strange device, and given Faye’s just demeanor, it wouldn’t be surprising if she’s asked to free these creatures. Other than that, he’s excellent at launching enemies into the air for Faye to follow up on.

Rue, the Enchanted Ribbon

On the other hand is Rue, played by Perlina Lau, the guardian of the sword Faye wields. Though she’s essentially ribbons, Rue can augment the combo potential in some pretty cool ways, from pulling enemies towards Faye to having a whip-like attack that can damage enemies. Many of the spinning attacks are also courtesy of Rue, which makes us wonder what other tricks she has.

Customizing Rue and Phranque

Fortunately, you’ll be able to upgrade both companions and tailor your playstyle to their abilities. Maybe Faye can lean more into using Rue and the blade as a whip with wind-up attacks that offer more range. Maybe Phranque can glom onto an enemy and immobilize them for a time or, I don’t know, open a black hole thanks to his cosmic powers. Whatever the case, it’s clear that what we saw in the gameplay reveal only scratches the surface of their capabilities.

Sekhmet and Begtse

As powerful as Faye is, she’ll have some pretty tough competition, especially in the form of Sekhmet and Begtse. Santa Monica Studio has teased other “evil” entities and “giant creatures,” one of which we’ve seen in the giant lion that Sekhmet uses to fly around. There’s speculation that it’s actually Bai Ze, though his appearance doesn’t fully match.

The Stunning Visuals

At first, the forests, overgrown ruins, and butterflies give the impression of a high fantasy setting. That impression quickly goes away when you see the massive cube-like tower, and then stumble upon the camp that Sekhmet and Begtse have set up among burnt-down trees. But hark, in the distance is a massive observatory that once again channels that high fantasy feel. Something tells us this art direction is going to be a little all over the place (which is fitting with the theme), but it’s still incredibly beautiful and bursting with colors.

That’s not even getting into the facial animations, which look absolutely stunning, coupled with how smooth the combat animations and subtle details like hair physics come across. Santa Monica Studio is making one of the best-looking games of this generation – shocker, I know – but it’s truly amazing what it can do when leveraging the PS5’s full power.

Release Window?

So the big question: When can we actually play it? Santa Monica Studio didn’t provide a release date or window, but according to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, you shouldn’t read too much into this. Why? Because apparently, it isn’t “years away” like many of the other big announcements we’ve seen. And before it was revealed, insider NateTheHate claimed it’s releasing in the first half of 2027 (if there’s no delay, of course). Regardless, it doesn’t seem like Laufey will keep us waiting for very long.

And confusing, for many reasons. We start with the opening from the Norse saga’s first chapter, where Kratos and Atreus cremate Faye and say their goodbyes. What comes next for them is an arduous journey spanning the Nine Realms and ultimately invoking Ragnarok. But far from a peaceful eternal rest, Faye awakens in an unknown land that we later learn is called the Everywhen. And this place is far more chaotic than what she’s used to.

Gorgeous in every measure, yet violent; magical but also on the fritz. It’s a place that Santa Monica Studio describes as a “prison,” where two characters – Sekhmet and Begtse – are running things. Or so we think, because at one point, a mysterious flash from a giant observatory invites the former’s attention. She entrusts Begtse with keeping watch over Faye, who’s been captured alongside various other beings and creatures. That’s where she meets Rue, the guardian of a sword that has everyone concerned – even Begtse – and Phranque, who’s a sentient cube. “Oi, Hughie,” indeed.

Faye takes out several of Sekhmet’s forces, squares up against Begtse, and seemingly defeats him amid burgeoning destruction. In terms of 1v1 fights – be it Kratos vs Baldur or Kratos vs Thor – this is right up there in terms of pure spectacle and peak animation.

But what makes this interesting is how all these different mythologies have seemingly converged in this one realm. It fits with that rumor about Laufey also featuring Chinese and Japanese aspects, never mind the report about Mayan elements. And though we saw Zeus in Helheim way back in the first game, you have to remember – that was an illusion. Who’s to say that he doesn’t appear in the Everywhen instead of the Underworld or the Elysian Fields like he’s supposed to? It’d be too good an opportunity to pass up, especially since Faye knows everything about Kratos’s past.

And hey, there’s nothing that says only the war-mongering few end up in the Everywhen. How likely is it that Faye runs into Thor again? It’s not like Santa Monica Studio doesn’t already have his assets and animations ready to go. Besides, considering she fought him before, which led to the Crater in Vanaheim, one has to wonder if they’ll meet up again and be on better terms after his story. Then again, maybe not.

It’s also worth noting that when they fought, Faye was enraged to an unbelievable degree, so if that isn’t a hint that she’ll have her own version of Spartan Rage, nothing is. Maybe the “vision” of Kratos that she saw while escaping could lead to awakening it.

There’s also the thing about magic in the Everywhen – it’s apparently not “flowing the way it should.” Who wants to bet that the giant cube-like structure may have something to do with it? In the midst of all this is Faye’s desire to return home, which is easier said than done with all this talk of the gates being sealed off. While she eventually gets a hold of her own magic, minutes before unleashing it on some hapless enemies, it’s possible that her journey through the Everywhen will require restoring its natural flow.

She’ll also learn of the realm’s “true nature.” It’s been described as the “birthplace and the ending point to which all magic returns,” so what other secrets could lie beyond that? Since Faye is more of the so-called “embracer” of magic – compared to Kratos, who Santa Monica describes as more “skeptical” of it – this pursuit doesn’t just form the basis of her journey, but feeds into her curiosity.

Of course, Faye’s death isn’t something that she was unprepared for – she knew it would spur her husband and son to undertake their journey. What’s surprising is that she discovers a Mask, which immediately calls back to the mask from Ragnarok. Faye mutters that it isn’t possible and that if there’s “another mask,” then the path that Kratos and Atreus will take is “not safe.”

Even Sekhmet comments on “another mask” after pulling a piece out of Faye’s hand. She even taunts the latter about it before crushing it into dust. Perhaps there’s more than one Mask that could hold certain secrets. Is it possible that this is what the Everywhen really is? And that it’s not just where magic begins and ends, but also mythologies? It would certainly fit with Rue’s explanation that you have to be dead to pass through the gateway, and Faye “holding something back”, eventually remembering her promise to Kratos, could ultimately be what helps her return.

Alternatively, that may just allow her to die again and somehow make it back to the Nine Realms…if that’s indeed how things work. Not that anyone in the recent gameplay reveal would really know. Maybe they should try asking the sword what it thinks. It may know a thing or two about the flow of magic. Perhaps the Everywhen is considered a prison not for those in it but because magic is trapped with nowhere to go. That raises an even more terrifying question, though – who’s the jailer?

Despite everything we’ve seen and learned from the gameplay reveal and Santa Monica’s interview, too many questions remain unanswered. And quite frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the developer is keen on keeping that way, even after we reach whatever the end of Faye’s journey may be. Because while Laufey is an opportunity to showcase the person that she was before the events of the first two Norse games – Laufey the hero of the giants – creative head Cory Barlog thinks it “would be interesting to see how things continue forward.”

I wouldn’t be surprised if this is just the beginning of a new series, one that cements the Everywhen as a brand new setting. And with what the developer pulled off with Vanaheim, you’d have to think it’s going to bring that knowledge into the Everywhen, creating several massive zones for players to explore. Don’t worry, though – based on the gameplay showcased, there will still be some cramped areas and linear paths for players to follow.

Though rumored for the first half of 2027, Laufey doesn’t have a release date, and you can’t help but think that this reveal is intentional on Sony Santa Monica’s part. Presenting so much yet leaving us with so much confusion, then essentially going silent until it’s closer to release, which is when it will likely open up more about the combat, exploration, and characters before feeding even more tidbits, perhaps even calling back to some foreshadowing in the previous games. Either way, it’s time to explore what a new triple-A entry without Kratos can offer.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

“Kratos is the God of War – we have many more stories to tell with him,” wrote Santa Monica Studio on social media. “For now, we’re excited to take fans on a journey into the afterlife of the gods with Faye and hope you’ll come along for the ride!”

The post came in response to Cory Barlog’s recent comments in a PlayStation interview with director Ariel Lawrence, where he mentioned being excited about exploring Faye as a character and her story as a small part of the larger God of War tapestry. He also reaffirmed that there will always be more stories about Kratos to tell.

“It’s exciting. Faye is, while it’s a different thing, it’s still part of the larger tapestry of what we truly want to explore, all these different characters in there. But there’s always going to be Kratos games throughout the whole history.”

Lawrence responded by noting, “Oh, for sure. We can’t not tell stories about the big guy.”

God of War Laufey was officially unveiled during Sony’s recent State of Play showcase with a lengthy gameplay reveal trailer. The title will put players in the shoes of Laufey – or Faye, as she’s more commonly known – who finds herself waking up in a strange world shortly after her death that kicks off the events of 2018’s God of War. On waking up, she discovers that the plans she had made to ensure the protection of Kratos and her son, Atreus, might be in danger, and springs into action.

The gameplay in God of War Laufey is slated to be a return to the more fast-paced action of the original trilogy, while its narrative style will still be closer to the two more recent mainline entries. Faye’s primary weapon, this time around, will be a magical sword, and she will be accompanied by a sentient Cosmic Cube during her adventures.

Santa Monica Studio had confirmed that God of War Laufey was being directed by Lawrence rather than Barlog through a social media post, where it said that Barlog was more focused on the long-term vision for the God of War franchise, and as such, was working with directors like Lawrence to develop the games.

“Cory is the Head of Creative at Santa Monica Studio,” wrote the studio, “this involves working with game directors like Ariel Lawrence and guiding the long-term vision for all games in the series.”

While God of War Laufey doesn’t yet have a release date, rumors indicate that it isn’t years away. The title is being developed exclusively for PS5.

“We wanted to build upon the strengths of the modern God of War combat system, and at the same time, we wanted to inject a little bit more of that old school classic God of War DNA into it,” said Yeh. “So, with the addition of jump, there’s a lot of fun, new, more over-the-top things that you can do in this game compared to the grounded nature of the previous two games.

“And I think it leads to a fresh yet familiar feel to the combat system that I think everyone will enjoy.”

Peterson added, “We knew that we wanted to push on Faye’s mobility. And by allowing her to transition seamlessly between the air and the ground states, it led to this hyper responsiveness that quickly became fundamental to what made her so fun to play.”

That agility also comes in handy when dealing with enemy attacks. For instance, Faye leaps over a fiery wave while fighting against Begtse, but if she’s too slow to dodge in mid-air, he can follow up with his own juggles.

Besides the increased speed and movement options, you also have two new companions – Rue and Phranque. The former is the guardian of the sword that Faye wields, manifesting as ribbons attached to the hilt, but she’s far from frail. Using Rue, Faye can pull enemies to her or close the distance, and even whip them with area-of-effect attacks.

Phranque also helps out during combat, and if you push an enemy at him, he’ll launch them into the air for a follow-up. Of course, this is only the bare minimum of what they’re capable of.

“Over the course of the game, you’ll be able to upgrade both Rue and Phranque to tailor them to your own play style,” says Yeh.

And while Faye formed a large part of the focus in the playthrough, he says, “at the other end of the spectrum, there are plenty of evil gods, gigantic creatures, and spectacular sequences to experience in the game.”

Potential Zeus return? Maybe Odin appearing for Faye to deal out some much-needed vengeance? Time will tell, and God of War Laufey lacks a release date on PS5. Fortunately, it shouldn’t be too long, with Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier claiming it isn’t “years away” from release.