God of War Laufey Stars Kratos' Wife in New Santa Monica Studios Title

We have a new God of War game on the horizon, but those expecting to see Kratos in the lead role are in for a surprise. Santa Monica Studios has officially announced God of War Laufey, a new entry in the series that trades the Ghost of Sparta for his late wife, Faye.

The announcement has sparked immediate conversation online. While some social media users, including the Domino’s Pizza UK corporate account, attempted to stir up discourse regarding the shift in protagonist, Santa Monica Studios met the commentary with a curt, “ok thanks for the feedback, dominos pizza corporate account.” Even streamer Asmongold weighed in, voicing criticism over the choice to center the narrative on Laufey.

Despite the vocal minority, the narrative premise is a sharp departure from the Kratos-centric titles. Cory Barlog has reportedly been planning this story for a decade. Picking up after her body is consumed by the pyre, the game follows Laufey as she journeys through Everywhen—the afterlife of the gods—to protect the path she laid out for Kratos and Atreus. It is a story of a mother and wife fighting to defend her family even after death.

Laufey’s Combat and Strength

Any concerns regarding the protagonist's combat capabilities are undermined by established lore. In God of War Ragnarök, it was confirmed that Laufey went toe-to-toe with Thor, leaving behind a frozen lightning bolt as a testament to their destructive encounter. While her fighting style differs from Kratos, the game positions her as a formidable force capable of navigating the dangers of the afterlife.

The shift to female protagonists is a trend that has seen significant success recently. From Melinoë in Hades 2 to Hinako in Silent Hill f, players have shown a clear appetite for diverse perspectives in action-adventure and RPG titles. The move to put Laufey at the forefront of a major franchise entry aligns with a wider industry push to move female characters from the periphery to the player's direct viewpoint.

God of War Laufey is currently in development for PlayStation 5. While the vitriol from some corners of the internet remains loud, the early reaction from the broader gaming community suggests a strong interest in seeing how Faye’s story unfolds.