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Faye and Laufey are the same person: Kratos’s wife and Atreus’s mother. She has already died when God of War (2018) begins, and the journey to spread her ashes drives that game’s family story. The new God of War Laufey shifts the focus to her: PlayStation says she awakens after her funeral and must find a way home through the Everywhen. You can play it standalone; the earlier Norse games are optional context.
Who is Laufey, and why is she also called Faye?
In the family story told by the Norse-era games, Kratos and Atreus call her Faye. The new game’s official page identifies its protagonist as “Laufey (Faye),” making clear that both names refer to the same character. PlayStation describes her as a warrior, Kratos’s wife, and Atreus’s mother.
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God of War Ragnarök - PlayStation 4 | $28.89 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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God of War Hits - PlayStation 4 | $19.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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God of War: Saga - Dual Pack | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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God Of War | $22.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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God of War III: Remastered (PS4) | $21.49 | Buy on Amazon |
That identity matters because Faye’s absence is the starting point for the 2018 game. She is dead before its story opens; Kratos and Atreus set out to spread her ashes. That premise introduces the father-and-son journey without requiring you to know its later revelations. PlayStation’s official page for God of War Laufey gives the new game’s character and story details.
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What is Faye’s role in the new game?
God of War Laufey changes the point of view. According to PlayStation, Faye wakes after her funeral in an unfamiliar afterlife, discovers that her plans to protect her family are at risk, and must find a way home through the Everywhen. PlayStation describes the Everywhen as the afterlife of the gods.
#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)
The official description also presents Faye as a guardian of the Jötnar, a rebel leader against the Aesir, and a protector of the Wildwoods. These are details of the game’s own Norse saga, not a guide to historical Norse mythology. Santa Monica Studio has likewise characterized Faye as a legendary warrior and leader whose influence on the Nine Realms began before she met Kratos. Its announcement frames the game as a mainline entry that expands the series through her perspective. Santa Monica Studio’s announcement has more on that framing.
Do you need to play the earlier games first?
No. PlayStation explicitly says God of War Laufey can be enjoyed standalone. It recommends the earlier Norse games for a fuller appreciation of the world and characters, but does not make them prerequisites. The practical choice is whether you want the family context before playing a story centered on Faye.
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
| Game | What it adds | PlayStation-listed platforms |
|---|---|---|
| God of War (2018) | Introduces the journey prompted by Faye’s death and the relationship between Kratos and Atreus. | PS5, PS4, and PC |
| God of War Ragnarök | Continues Kratos and Atreus’s Norse saga toward Ragnarök. | PS5, PS4, and PC |
PlayStation’s new-game page describes these earlier titles as helpful context, while its 2018 account of bringing Faye to life offers additional background on how she is present in the earlier story.
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- Faye’s death sets the 2018 game’s opening journey in motion.
- The new game puts her in the lead and explores the consequences of plans she made to protect Kratos and Atreus.
- You do not need to know the later twists in God of War (2018) or the ending of Ragnarök to understand the basic premise of the new game.
That is enough background to start without spoiling the earlier saga’s major revelations. If you want the emotional context, play God of War (2018) followed by God of War Ragnarök; the new title’s official page does not require either.
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)
When and where is God of War Laufey available?
As listed on the US PlayStation product page in 2026, God of War Laufey is scheduled for PS5 on February 16, 2027. Release dates and platform listings can change, so check the current official listing for the latest status. PlayStation describes combat using speed, control, a new sword, and Jötnar magic; those are publisher descriptions, not independent gameplay assessments.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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
Rank #4
- 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
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.
