Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
God of War Laufey Star Deborah Ann Woll ‘Totally Unbothered’ by Online Hate Surrounding the Game
Deborah Ann Woll, who plays Faye in Santa Monica Studio’s upcoming God of War Laufey, says she is “totally unbothered” by online criticism of the game. The backlash followed its reveal last month, with some players objecting to Faye replacing Kratos as protagonist, the combat system and a cube companion; supporters argue much of the reaction is sexist. Woll’s response matters because it highlights the debate over the series’ change of focus while maintaining confidence in the game’s quality.
The PS5 exclusive received a 20-minute gameplay reveal showing Faye using magical abilities and a sword rather than Kratos’s Leviathan Axe. Woll said the project had been discussed by former God of War director Cory Barlog nearly a decade before its announcement. God of War Laufey is expected in 2027, has no confirmed release date, and Santa Monica says Kratos will appear and return in future instalments.
In short
- Deborah Ann Woll dismisses online criticism of God of War Laufey.
- The Faye-led PS5 game shifts combat and focus from Kratos.
- It is expected to launch in 2027.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A thoughtful case for the change is that a new protagonist and combat style can give a long-running series room to grow, while letting Faye’s story and abilities stand on their own. Some supporters also see the backlash as reflecting sexist assumptions about who can lead a major action game, and argue that the gameplay should be judged on its merits.
The case against
A thoughtful case for scepticism is that players may reasonably feel a series built around Kratos is changing in ways that weaken the elements they value, including its familiar combat and tone. Objections to Faye’s role, the combat system or the cube companion can be genuine creative criticism; they should not be dismissed as sexist without considering what critics actually say.
Explained simply
The God of War franchise is a video game series featuring Kratos, a warrior battling mythology-inspired enemies. The games have been highly successful on PlayStation consoles, with recent titles set in Norse mythology. The series has a passionate fanbase that takes particular interest in how the franchise develops.
Developer Santa Monica Studio recently unveiled God of War Laufey, a new entry scheduled for 2027. Unlike previous games, this instalment will feature Faye, an existing character from the series, as the playable protagonist instead of Kratos. Actress Deborah Ann Woll provides the voice performance for Faye, and the game will feature different combat mechanics.
The announcement sparked significant backlash from some players who objected to the protagonist change and design decisions. However, other members of the gaming community have welcomed the new creative direction. The mixed response demonstrates how invested fans can be in established franchises and how important such decisions are to gaming communities.
Celebrity Entertainment Gaming