God Of War Laufey’s Combat Was Inspired By The Original Greek Trilogy
Santa Monica Studio announced God of War Laufey at PlayStation’s State of Play event, shifting the franchise’s focus from Kratos to Faye, his late wife, as the main playable character. The new game runs parallel to the 2018 God of War reboot rather than serving as a prequel, with Faye taking center stage as a warrior and hero in her own right.
To distinguish Faye’s gameplay from Kratos’s, developer Ariel Lawrence explained that the team couldn’t simply reuse existing animations. Instead, they drew inspiration from the original Greek trilogy’s more acrobatic combat style to create unique fighting mechanics suited to Faye’s body and character. Lawrence noted that the studio still employs veterans from the original games, allowing them to authentically channel that era’s influence while developing fresh combat approaches.
The reveal generated mixed reactions from fans. While there was enthusiasm, the announcement also sparked skepticism and backlash, with some players questioning the decision to sideline Kratos and others noting that Laufey retains the one-shot camera style of recent entries rather than representing a significant departure. Director Lawrence acknowledged this fan skepticism, expressing understanding for the concerns while encouraging players to give the new direction a chance. Santa Monica Studio positions Laufey as an opportunity to expand the God of War universe and tell new stories that enrich the broader franchise mythology.