Santa Monica Studio has offered a first look at its latest God of War project, God of War Laufey, which stars Faye, the wife of Kratos and mother of Atreus. The game picks up immediately after her funeral pyre at the beginning of 2018's God of War, with Faye awakening in a mysterious forest. Actress Deborah Ann Woll reprises her role as Faye.
The adventure serves as a parallel sequel, focusing on Faye's journey into The Everywhen, the afterlife of the gods. This realm is described as a bizarre world populated by deities and magical creatures from various cultures, but it is currently in disarray. "Things aren't working quite exactly the way they should be in this afterlife of the gods," explained game director Ariel Lawrence. "Magic isn't flowing exactly the way that it should be. So this afterlife's not exactly a paradise. It's a little bit more of a prison."
According to the game's PlayStation Store description, Faye discovers that her protective plans for Kratos and Atreus are now at risk. To safeguard her family, she must contend with gods from multiple pantheons who are vying for control of the corrupted Everywhen. The trailer showcased Sekhmet, an Egyptian goddess and the God of War of her pantheon, as one of the antagonists.
Combat in God of War Laufey features Faye wielding a one-handed sword with agile and swift attacks, including aerial combos. Her free hand can be used for magical abilities, such as blocking. The perspective and action are reminiscent of Kratos' Norse adventures, but Faye's quicker, more stylish approach to combat is a notable distinction. The Everywhen is depicted with a dreamlike aesthetic that contrasts with the series' characteristic brutality.
During the gameplay demonstration, Faye is shown escaping captivity with the assistance of an unexpected ally: a talking cosmic cube named Phranque, voiced by Jack Quaid. Phranque aids Faye in her quest to return home, and helps her acquire the sword embedded within it. Attached to the sword's hilt are sentient ribbons called Rue, voiced by Perlina Lau, which can also assist Faye in combat by extending to strike distant enemies and keeping foes at bay.
God of War Laufey is slated for release on PlayStation 5, though a release window has not yet been announced. This title follows other recent God of War projects from Santa Monica Studio, including the previously announced God of War Trilogy Remake and the side-scrolling prequel God of War Sons of Sparta, which was released in February.