Fans were hoping to see the next God of War game from Santa Monica Studio heading into the State of Play, and God of War fans can rejoice. During the State of Play event, the final showcase was dedicated to God of War: Laufey, the official new game, and 20 minutes of gameplay.
Ahead of the State of Play event, several rumors suggested that a new God of War game featuring Kratos’ wife Faye and Tyr was in the works. Reportedly, it would focus on the Giants, her conflict with Thor, and possibly how she met Kratos, with there being multiple mythologies, a talking sword named Merlin, and a gelatinous cube companion in play too. Now, fans have their first official glimpse with 20 full minutes of gameplay and can see which of the new God of War game rumors held even a kernel of truth, if at all.
20 Minutes of Gameplay
The State of Play trailer opens with Kratos’ voiceover, telling Faye that she is free ahead of her funeral pyre. Fans get to immediately see the graphical improvements in Kratos and Atreus, who is now young again. As rumored, fans then step into the shoes of Faye in some form of the afterlife, it appears, and she awakens startled. It’s not long before she finds herself in combat with some plant-like creatures and is joined by a little animal companion, plus a few story details, all of which fans can enjoy for themselves and more in the trailer above.
Essentially, Faye (also known as Laufey) finds herself on a strange journey after death and must fight through the afterlife of the Gods, known as the Everywhen, to protect KRatos and Atreus in life. It is set to launch on the PS5 consoles “soon” and its gameplay will focus on Faye’s speed, control, and relentlessness.
What’s more, rumors suggested this new God of War game would explore different mythologies, and given the Mongolian-speaking enemies in the trailer, that definitely seems to be the case. It’s uncertain how many, of course, but it’s an exciting prospect all shown through gameplay. Even the gelatinous cube and sword ended up being proven real (although the intelligence is in the ribbons, not the sword, apparently).
Hopefully, of course, it lands with players better than the shadow God of War Sons of Sparta game that shadow-dropped earlier in 2026. As I wrote in my review of God of War Sons of Sparta, it is “an okay prequel—the problem is that it feels like it was released before the original 2005 game, not just taking place before it. Its safe approach feels like a game made generations ago, not one released in 2026, and makes it a chapter in Kratos’ life that is forgettable.” At the very least, this new game does not appear to be a safe entry in the franchise, and that’s perhaps even more exciting now.
