Sony and Santa Monica Studio have officially announced God of War Laufey, the next chapter in the God of War franchise. The game is coming to PlayStation 5, although a release date has not yet been revealed.
Unlike previous entries that focused on Kratos and Atreus, the new game puts Laufey (Faye) at the center of the story. Long before the events of God of War (2018), Faye was known as the Golden Hand of the Jotnar and one of the most powerful warriors among the Giants.
The story begins after Faye’s death. She unexpectedly awakens in a mysterious realm known as The Everywhen, an afterlife where gods from different mythologies gather after death. According to Sony, Faye discovers that the plans she left behind to protect Kratos and Atreus are in danger, forcing her to fight through this strange realm to find a way home.
For gamers, the biggest takeaway is the combat. Santa Monica Studio says Faye’s gameplay will be faster and more mobile than Kratos’. The developers describe it as a mix of the fluid movement seen in the original Greek-era God of War games and the more grounded combat introduced in the Norse saga.
Faye will use a legendary sword as her primary weapon and can seamlessly transition between ground and aerial attacks. The studio has also introduced new soul-based abilities. One showcased mechanic allows Faye to rip an enemy’s soul from its body and use it as part of extended combat combos.
The Everywhen itself appears to be one of the most ambitious settings in the franchise so far. Unlike previous games that focused on a single mythology, this realm brings together gods and creatures from multiple mythologies. The reveal trailer showed encounters with figures such as Sekhmet from Egyptian mythology and Begtse from Mongolian mythology.
Faye will not be traveling alone. Two companions will join her journey, including Phranque, a floating cosmic cube voiced by Jack Quaid, and Rue, a magical guardian responsible for protecting a powerful sword.
While Sony has only shown an early look at gameplay, the focus appears to be on fast-paced combat, exploration, and a story that explores one of the most important characters in the God of War universe.
The God of War franchise remains one of PlayStation’s biggest success stories. Since its debut in 2005, the series has sold tens of millions of copies worldwide. The 2018 reboot won multiple Game of the Year awards, while God of War Ragnarök became one of the fastest-selling first-party PlayStation games ever. With God of War Laufey, Santa Monica Studio is taking a risk by moving away from Kratos, but it also gives fans a chance to finally learn more about a character whose influence has shaped the entire Norse saga.
