Sony and Santa Monica Studio have officially unveiled God of War Laufey, ending months of speculation surrounding the future of the blockbuster franchise. Revealed during the June 2026 State of Play presentation, the new game places Faye — wife of Kratos and mother of Atreus — at the centre of the story for the first time.

Deborah Ann Woll reprises her role as Faye, also known as Laufey the Just, in a story that begins immediately after her funeral pyre is lit at the opening of 2018’s God of War. Rather than exploring the character’s past, the game follows her journey through the Everywhen, a mysterious afterlife realm populated by gods, monsters, and figures drawn from multiple mythologies.

The reveal concluded with more than 20 minutes of uninterrupted gameplay, offering a detailed look at Faye’s combat style. Unlike Kratos’ heavier, brute-force approach, Faye relies on speed, agility, and magical abilities, blending elements from both the Greek and Norse eras of the franchise. Developers described the gameplay as an evolution of the series’ established formula while remaining distinctly rooted in Santa Monica Studio’s design philosophy.

The footage also introduced several new characters, including Egyptian war goddess Sekhmet and Mongolian deity Begtse, alongside an unusual companion named Phranque, a sentient cosmic cube voiced by Jack Quaid. A magical ribbon guardian named Rue also joins Faye during her journey.

The announcement marks another major chapter for one of PlayStation’s most celebrated franchises. Santa Monica Studio reinvented God of War in 2018 by shifting the series from Greek mythology to a more intimate Norse saga focused on Kratos and his son Atreus. The reboot won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2018 and was widely praised for its storytelling, combat, and technical achievements. Its sequel, God of War Ragnarök, launched in 2022 to critical acclaim, winning multiple industry awards and becoming one of the fastest-selling first-party PlayStation titles. Together, the two games transformed the franchise into one of Sony’s flagship properties, making God of War Laufey one of the company’s most anticipated releases in years.

Although Kratos is no longer the protagonist, Santa Monica Studio confirmed that events in God of War Laufey run parallel to God of War Ragnarök, with direct connections to the wider saga. According to the developers, the game represents a new chapter in the same ongoing story rather than a standalone spin-off.