Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
The next Kratos God of War game will follow and connect to Laufey, says Cory Barlog
Santa Monica Studio's head of creative, Cory Barlog, has confirmed that the next mainline God of War game starring Kratos will directly follow on from the events of God of War Laufey, the recently announced instalment centred on new protagonist Faye. Speaking at a San Diego Comic-Con panel, Barlog said the Laufey game is designed to "set up and expand" future stories, indicating it is not a standalone spin-off but part of a continuing narrative thread that will eventually return to Kratos.
Barlog stressed that "there's always going to be Kratos games" even as the studio explores other characters, describing Laufey as part of a wider "tapestry" of stories within the franchise. God of War Laufey is set for release on 16th February 2027 and was one of the standout reveals of this year's Summer Game Fest, though the announcement drew mixed reactions, with much of the debate focused on Faye as the new lead. Actress Deborah Ann Woll, who voices Faye, said the character concept dates back to the 2018 reboot and that she remains unbothered by the backlash. Sony has also confirmed there will be no PC port, as it no longer plans to release non-live-service titles on PC.
In short
- Next Kratos-led God of War will follow directly on from Laufey's story.
- God of War Laufey, starring new character Faye, launches 16th February 2027.
- No PC release planned, as Sony drops PC ports for non-live-service games.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those supporting this direction see it as necessary evolution for the franchise. They argue that exploring new characters and perspectives enriches the God of War universe and allows the studio to innovate creatively. With Cory Barlog's assurance that Kratos will return and that Laufey sets up future narratives, they view this as a natural progression that maintains continuity whilst expanding the story in meaningful ways.
The case against
Critics contend that God of War's identity fundamentally revolves around Kratos, and that relegating him to a supporting role in a mainline entry risks diluting the franchise's core. They worry that this represents a shift away from the established protagonist's narrative, and that introducing a new lead in a primary game rather than as a spin-off carries greater creative risk without proven necessity.
Explained simply
God of War is a video game franchise that began in 2005, with Kratos serving as its protagonist across numerous instalments. The most recent games, released in 2018 and 2022, repositioned Kratos as an ageing father figure living in a Norse mythology setting alongside his son Atreus, moving away from the franchise's earlier Greek mythology focus.
The series is renowned for its interconnected storytelling, where each game builds upon previous ones with continuing character arcs and plot threads. Players who have invested in earlier instalments often return to experience how the narrative evolves and how characters develop across the games.
A new instalment called God of War Laufey is scheduled for February 2027 and will centre on Faye, a character already established within the God of War universe. Though Faye has appeared in previous games, Kratos has consistently been the lead character throughout the franchise's history.
Celebrity Entertainment Gaming