Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
God of War Laufey points to one possible way for PlayStation to grow a familiar series: keep its established world, but let a character beyond its usual lead carry the story. Faye—also known as Laufey—takes center stage in a game set after her death, while Santa Monica Studio creative head Cory Barlog has said that stories about Kratos will continue. That is evidence of an expanded God of War, not proof of a company-wide PlayStation roadmap.
What is God of War Laufey?
God of War Laufey is a PlayStation 5 game starring Faye, the warrior known as Laufey, who was Kratos’s wife and Atreus’s mother in the Norse saga. Its story begins after her death, when she awakens in the Everywhen and discovers that the plans she made to protect her family are in danger. PlayStation’s official game page lists its release date as February 16, 2027.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
God of War Ragnarök - PlayStation 5 | $37.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
God of War Hits - PlayStation 4 | $19.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
God of War: Saga - Dual Pack | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
God of War III: Remastered (PS4) | $21.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
God of War: Collection - Playstation 3 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The premise shifts the point of view rather than leaving Faye as a character understood chiefly through Kratos and Atreus. Santa Monica Studio describes her as a legendary warrior and leader whose influence on the Nine Realms began before she met Kratos. In its June 2, 2026 reveal, PlayStation said the game would bring Faye to the forefront and explore the humanity, strengths, and flaws behind her legacy. The reveal also introduces the Everywhen, an afterlife for gods where figures from different mythologies meet, including Sekhmet and Begtse.
Why Faye’s lead role matters for the series
Faye is not an unrelated new protagonist grafted onto God of War. She already has a consequential place in the Norse saga, but her own life and choices have largely sat outside the player’s direct experience. Giving her the lead lets the series use its existing emotional history while asking what happened beyond the parts of her story Kratos and Atreus could know.
#1 Best Overall
- Feel your journey through the Norse realms, made possible by immersive haptic feedback and adaptive trigger functionality.
- Take advantage of multidirectional 3D Audio; hear enemies approaching from any direction. (3D audio with stereo headphones (analog or USB))
- Bask in the beautiful worlds you travel through, brought to life by precise art direction and arresting attention to detail.
- Switch between full 4K resolution at a targeted 30 frames per second, or dynamic resolution upscaled to 4K at a targeted 60fps. (4K resolution requires a compatible 4K TV or display)
That is a meaningful kind of franchise expansion: preserve recognizable characters and themes, but change whose perspective defines the next story. Barlog described the move as “not a departure; it’s more of an expansion.” GamesRadar+ reported the comment from a PlayStation-published interview with the Santa Monica Studio creative head.
Barlog also said “there’s always going to be Kratos games.” That supports the view that Faye’s starring role does not mean Kratos is finished as a subject. It does not confirm a specific future Kratos game, or establish that Sony plans to shift every PlayStation series away from its established lead. The clearest conclusion is narrower: Laufey demonstrates how one major franchise can widen its cast without abandoning its identity.
Rank #2
- Physical combat over the shoulder free camera brings the action closer than ever combat in God of war is up close frenetic and unflinching. Kratos' Axes powerful, magic and multi faceted is a brutal weapon as well as a versatile tool for exploration
- Midgard and beyond: Set within the untamed forests, mountains, and realms of Norse lore, God of war features a distinctly new setting with its own pantheon of creatures, monsters, and gods
- Vicious, physical combat with an over the shoulder free camera that brings the player closer to the action than ever before
How it differs from the Norse saga
| Comparison | God of War (2018) and Ragnarök | God of War Laufey |
|---|---|---|
| Lead and timeline | The Norse saga centers on Kratos and Atreus. | Faye leads a story that begins after her death. |
| Setting | The saga follows events tied to the Nine Realms. | The Everywhen is an afterlife where gods from multiple mythologies meet. |
| Continuity | These games provide background on the world and characters that inform Faye’s story. | PlayStation says it can be enjoyed standalone, while recommending the 2018 game and Ragnarök for fuller appreciation of the world and characters. |
These are differences in viewpoint and scope, not evidence that the new game erases the earlier saga. The Everywhen gives the series room to introduce mythologies beyond the Norse setting, while Faye’s history keeps the story connected to the people and events players already know.
Do you need to play the other God of War games first?
No. PlayStation says God of War Laufey can be enjoyed as a standalone game. For more context about Faye’s family and the Norse-era world, the company recommends God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök. Playing them is a way to deepen that context, not a stated requirement for starting Laufey.
Rank #3
- Includes
- God of War collections 1 and 2
- God of War 3
- God of War Collection (Chain of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta)
Platform, release, and editions
The game is listed for PS5 with a February 16, 2027 release date. PlayStation presents it in both digital and physical form, and the US PlayStation Store listing identifies a PS5 Standard Edition. That listing displayed a price of $69.99 when checked in 2026; the figure is specific to the US store and may change.
In a September 28, 2026 announcement, PlayStation detailed the editions and gameplay, including Faye’s customizable sword, Serpent Bow, armor, and Catalysts. The edition announcement says specified bonus items for the physical Standard Edition are provided by download code. Its Digital Deluxe Edition includes a digital mini art book and digital soundtrack; those inclusions do not establish that a physical art book or collectible is available.
Rank #4
- Beautifully rendered at 1080p and running at 60 frames per second, God of War III Remastered is ready for the next generation
- The brand new photo mode will allow players to freeze the jaw-dropping action to edit, save and share photos.
- God of War III Remastered shows off realistic muscle contours, detailed facial expressions and new heightened levels of brutality and gore
What this does—and does not—say about PlayStation’s future
Laufey is a concrete example of a familiar PlayStation franchise expanding through a new lead character, a wider mythological setting, and a story that can stand on its own while benefiting from earlier games. Alongside Barlog’s reported reassurance about Kratos, it suggests room for both the established hero and other characters with meaningful ties to the series.
Recommended Free Tools
One game and its creators’ comments cannot establish PlayStation’s overall strategy. They do, however, show that a franchise can change its point of view without treating that change as a break from what came before.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The God of War Collection includes: God of War and God of War II on one Blu-ray Disc for play on the PlayStation 3.
- Rediscover two of the most highly praised games ever developed for the PS2 in advance of the upcoming release of God of War III on PS3.
- Remastered in high-definition at a resolution of 720p and including anti-aliased graphics for 60 frames per second gameplay.
- Full PlayStation Network (PSN) Trophies support for each game.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
