According to the God of War Ragnarök subreddit, hidden cutscenes have been discovered in the game’s files that can’t be accessed through the course of play. The poster—TheMorse_—has noted that this is quite similar to yet another hidden cutscene from 2018’s God of War that essentially served as the opening to Ragnarök’s story.

One of these new cutscenes seems to revolve around “beings from the higher plane” having a conversation about Odin and Atreus. Among these beings is also Athena. Another one revolves around Atreus traveling to meet beings from other pantheons with someone named “Mau”, who has been described as being like Groot from Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, as they can only say their own name. Much like Rocket Raccoon, Atreus is also seemingly able to understand “Mau”. It is worth noting that the name is the Egyptian word for cat, and has often been depicted as being one of the manifestations of Ra—the Sun God.

As for the cutscene featuring Athena, some interesting pieces of dialogue have been uncovered. Among other things, she says, “One failed us. One rejected us,” and “We have a problem”. While it is unclear who exactly Athena might be referring to, considering the events of God of War Ragnarök, the one who failed them was likely Odin, while the rejector was like Atreus.

While this might sound like little more than rumors revolving around cutscenes that were initially created but cancelled out as the game’s story went through changes, it is worth noting that, much like TheMorse_ pointed out, these have quite a few similarities to the hidden cutscenes found in 2018’s God of War. Those files revolved around Atreus killing the bear—as he does early in Ragnarök’s story—and sneaking out to see the shrines, culminating in his discovery that Tyr is alive.

Industry insider shinobi602 had previously indicated that this new God of War project is being helmed by Cory Barlog, and is slated for launch “around 2028”. The title will also seemingly be revealed in the middle of this year, with the insider predicting, “Probably May State of Play or the summer Keighley’s (SGF). As of now, I don’t know. If not by then, then they’ve either pushed the release out further or doing a shorter reveal to release.”

A report from back in September had strong indications of Kratos traveling to Egypt as part of the next game’s story. Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson had said that Kratos would be adding a curved Egyptian-styled sword to his arsenal, bringing up comparisons to Prince of Persia. In a more recent conversation, however, he said that “there is a scythe in the game as well.”

While you would think his follow-up statement is more damage control than anything, he would instead clarify, “I have zero involvement with the original games and what they involve. Full stop. As much as I would love that everything I do in the future to involve Sony Santa Monica and God of War, I have other projects that I am super excited about. More info this Summer.”

The first part addresses any information provided about the Trilogy Remake, such as the use of new technology and a new fighting system, while not going through a reboot. Furthermore, TC Carson is apparently reprising his role as Kratos, but Santa Monica Studio hasn’t officially confirmed this.

The other half is more interesting because it seemingly indicates, without outright saying, that his next projects won’t involve the studio or God of War. Of course, the fact that more information is due this Summer only lends further credence to the next game’s alleged reveal. Reportedly directed by Cory Barlog, it will be his first full directorial role since God of War (2018). He served as creative director and producer on Ragnarok with Eric Williams in the director’s chair.

Not much is known about the new God of War, but a report by Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson claims a potential return to Greece, where it all began. Furthermore, Kratos reportedly wields a scythe as a new weapon.

“No, well, it’s going to be TC,” said Judge when Fuhpuzy asked him if he would be returning for the remake. He also noted that the trilogy won’t be going through a reboot. Rather, it will use “new technology” and “more stuff”, as well as a “new fighting system”. When asked about when he would return to the role of Kratos, Judge said, “Then you’ll be hearing about what we’re doing probably late summer.”

Carson returning to play Kratos shouldn’t come as a surprise, since he was involved in the announcement of the remake earlier this month. He played the character in all God of War games before the 2018 release, including spin-off entries like the PSP games and 2013’s God of War: Ascension.

Reports of an unannounced God of War project being slated for reveal later this year came about shortly after the recent State of Play showcase. According to industry insider shinobi602, Cory Barlog is working on this new project as its director. While the announcement is reportedly happening soon, the game may launch next year.

“Like I said, given the quarter they’re targeting, I do expect that,” wrote shinobi602 when asked about when it would be unveiled. “Probably May State of Play or the summer Keighley’s (SGF). As of now, I don’t know yet. If not by then, then they’ve either pushed the release out further or doing a shorter reveal to release.”

Another report has indicated that Kratos might be adding a new weapon to his arsenal – the scythe. According to Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson, while previous rumors have indicated that Kratos will make use of an Egyptian-styled curved sword, “there is a scythe in the game as well.” He also spoke about hearing that, rather than tackling an Egyptian setting, the next God of War might actually involve a return to Greece.

“From what I understand, there is another mainline God of War game in development,” he said. “There’s a lot of speculation out there that it’s going to be an Egyptian God of War game… but I’ve got a feeling that it’s going to go back to Greek mythology, to be honest. And now I’m wondering, is that why they are doing the remake of the original trilogy?”

Sony Santa Monica, along with Mega Cat Studios, also dropped a surprise new God of War game last week, dubbed God of War Sons of Sparta. However, rather than being a traditional new entry, it is a 2D side-scrolling action platformer with elements of the Metroidvania genre. Along with this, the story also takes us back to the distant past, exploring younger versions of Kratos and his brother, Deimos. For more details, check out our review.

Speaking to VGC, McCreary started by talking about the time he spent at the God of War 20th Anniversary Retrospective Gallery last month. He spoke about how moved he felt when he realised the sheer number of people involved.

“We were just with the cast at the God of War 20th Anniversary Retrospective Gallery,” said McCreary. “There were exhibits along the wall for all nine games, so it’s this pantheon. I’m looking around the room, and I’m seeing all the artists that have contributed.”

“It was quite moving to realize, how many people had been involved and that no single person has been involved in all of them in any kind of primary capacity. There’s been a sort of brain trust of people that go back to the first game.”

He also spoke about seeing the sheet music of his works showcased and how it led to him feeling closure for the story of Kratos in the more recent titles.

“Coming into that room, I saw the God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok sheet music on the wall – my signed scores in frames that I had given to Santa Monica – and it really hit me that I got to contribute to this,” McCreary continued. “Even with the God of War Valhalla DLC, there’s an ending cinematic to that, that really was important to me to score.

“It brings a sort of closure to Kratos’ arc, so I feel like my contribution, starting with E3 2016 all the way through to Valhalla, feels complete. I feel complete. I feel like I told a story.”

He also said that, while he does feel like he has gotten the closure he needed for his work on God of War, he is open to working on future projects in the franchise as well. Responding to a question about working on the music for Amazon’s adaptation of God of War, he said the people that need him have his number.

“If there’s anything else that needs music moving forward, they’ve got my number,” he said. “Everybody’s got my number, I’m here. I’m really proud of what I did.”

Amazon hasn’t yet premiered its adaptation of God of War, but production on the series has been going well enough that showrunner Ronald D. Moore has revealed that it has been greenlit for a second season.

“Right now I’m working on the adaptation of this video game called God of War, it’s a big title in the gaming world that Amazon has ordered two seasons of and they asked me to come in, I’m literally in the writer’s room and that’s my new thing,” he said.

As for a new game, while no official announcements have been made, rumours indicate that a new God of War title that would focus on a smaller side-story will be coming out later this year.

“OK. Everyone keeps asking about this, so I’ve tried to find out more,” posted Grubb on Bluesky. “There’s still a Greek God of War thing coming out this year, but it’s not a remaster collection. It’s a new side-story project.”

Following up on this, Grubb has also said that something related to a remastered release of the original God of War trilogy might come in the days surrounding the anniversary celebrations. A State of Play surrounding these remasters has reportedly not in the works.

“I was never told about a Remaster collection, but I asked a source about the rumours (that I saw were focused on a collection) and they told me that nothing God of War would happen at the State of Play but something could show up at the anniversary.”

The side-story project that Grubb spoke about could be the God of War sequel that was reported to be in the works back in February. According to those reports, the title is set to carry forward the themes of fatherhood from the recent God of War titles by focusing on the relationship between a young Kratos and his father.

Since Kratos wasn’t aware that his father was Zeus until the events of God of War 2, it is likely that the father figure that Kratos will interact with in this title will instead be a mortal that was tasked with raising him in Sparta.

There were also rumours about a God of War game that would take place in ancient Egypt, following up from the last two titles revolving around Norse mythology, while the franchise originally focused on the Greek pantheon.

Sony, along with Sony Santa Monica, recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the God of War franchise with an exhibition and panel at Galaxy Nucleus. While no new games were announced over the weekend, the event did follow the release of the Dark Odyssey Collection release for God of War Ragnarök.

As part of this release, God of War Ragnarök players can adorn Kratos in a black and gold reminiscent of how he is portrayed in some of the older titles’ flashbacks. The update also brought with it a new armour set for Kratos as well as Atreus and Freya. It also features new appearances for the Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos, and Draupnir Spear.

In the meantime, a TV adaptation of God of War is currently in the works at Amazon Prime. While the show is yet to release its first episode, Amazon has already ordered a second season.

For more details about God of War, check out our review of the soft reboot on the PS4 and PC, as well as our review God of War Ragnarok on the PS5 as well as its eventual PC release.

OK. Everyone keeps asking about this, so I've tried to find out more: There's still a Greek God of War thing coming out this year, but it's not a remaster collection. It's a new side-story project.

— Grubb (@grubb.wtf) 2025-03-22T19:00:46.068Z

I was never told about a Remaster collection, but I asked a source about the rumors (that I saw were focused on a collection) and they told me that nothing God of War would happen at the State of Play but something could show up at the anniversary.

— Grubb (@grubb.wtf) 2025-03-22T19:00:46.069Z

On top of the Dark Odyssey Kratos skin, players will also get a Dark Odyssey Armor set, including a breastplate, bracers, and belt. Atreus and Freya will also get Dark Odyssey armor, and you can also change the appearance of the Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos, and Draupnir Spear. They also get new attachments, though you’ll need the fully upgraded weapons.

If that wasn’t enough, each shield also gets its own Dark Odyssey skin. For those who want to play around with other looks, the Edit Appearance feature arrives with this update, allowing you to change the look of weapon attachments and shield rönd.

As for rumors of the original trilogy getting a remaster or a brand-new title set in Greece during Kratos’ youth, we’ll seemingly have to wait even longer. Stay tuned in the meantime.

Sony has announced the removal of mandatory PSN account linking in select titles on the platform. Specifically, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, God of War Ragnarok, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the upcoming The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered (contrary to a recent confirmation) will no longer need PSN accounts for those who wish to play them on PC.

Instead, those who do link their accounts will get free bonus in-game rewards. In The Last of Us Part 2, that will include an in-game skin for Ellie based on Naughty Dog’s upcoming sci-fi title Intergalactic. You can view the full list of rewards for each game below.

Whether we can expect Sony to take a similar approach with all future releases remains to be seen. One would certainly hope that’s the case with how unpopular and controversial the PSN account linking requirements have been thus far.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 launches for PC on January 30. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered will follow on April 3. Check out the former’s system requirements and platform-specific features.

PS5 players can look forward to Atlas Fallen: Reign Of Sand while PS4 players get Sayonara Wild Hearts and, oddly, enough, Poker Club. Of course, the latter is backwards compatible on PS5, further expanding the line-up for current-gen owners.

Exclusive to Premium subscribers are two PlayStation Classics – Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings from the PS2 era and MediEvil 2 on the PS One with rewind, up-rendering, and quick save. Both are playable on PS4 and PS5, and the former is a great way to prepare for the arrival of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle this Spring for PS5.

Taking to Twitter, Grassetti announced that he has joined Naughty Dog, the developer of the Uncharted and The Last of Us games. Grassetti did not elaborate on what his role or position at the studio will be, or what project he will be working on.

At Santa Monica Studio, Grassetti also worked on God of War (2018), while prior to that, other roles at PlayStation had seen him involved in the development of The Order: 1886, Killzone Shadow Fall, and inFamous: Second Son. Previously, he also worked on Mass Effect 3 at BioWare.

It is currently unknown what Naughty Dog is working on, but the studio revealed a year ago that it was working on multiple ambitious single-player projects. Of these projects, the next one is confirmed to once again feature a character played by Troy Baker, while one of the titles could also be a new IP.

🐾 new chapter pic.twitter.com/97uKQ2YstI

— Raf Grassetti (@rafagrassetti) December 9, 2024

As per its PlayStation Store page, God of War Ragnarok is going to be PS5 Pro Enhanced. The action-adventure title’s store page carries the label that confirms the same, though specific details on exactly what said enhancements will entail are unknown. Presumably, the game will be making use of the console’s enhanced ray-tracing capabilities as well as PSSR to deliver improved visuals and higher fidelity at better frame rates. Hopefully, finer details will be revealed soon.

The PS5 Pro launches on November 7. Other games that will feature enhancements for the console upon its release include Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, Horizon Forbidden West, Resident Evil Village, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Diablo 4, and more.