Key Insights from the 20-Minute Debut Trailer of God of War: Laufey

Yesterday’s State of Play wrapped up with an exciting 20-minute showcase of *God of War: Laufey*, a new spin-off from Santa Monica Studio that centers on Faye, Kratos’ wife, who passed away just before the events of the 2018 *God of War* reboot. The footage reveals the game’s opening moments, packed with intriguing details. Ready to break it down? Let’s jump in.

The trailer kicks off with a scene from the 2018 game, where Kratos and Atreus say their final goodbyes to Faye by cremating her, fulfilling her last wish. However, Faye finds herself awakening in an unfamiliar realm, confused about her surroundings. While she played a pivotal role in the events of *God of War*, her current situation seems to be outside her original plan, and her narrative will run parallel to that of Kratos and Atreus.

Deborah Ann Woll returns to voice Faye, having previously appeared in flashbacks during *God of War: Ragnarok*. As she navigates this strange environment, she realizes her burned clothes indicate that Kratos and Atreus have honored her request, beginning their journey to scatter her ashes in Jötunheim. Faye expresses regret over not being able to say goodbye to her family, hinting that her death, though anticipated, was abrupt.

As Faye explores, she dismisses the idea that she’s in Alfheim, despite its warm climate and lush ruins. Instead, she discovers a corpse adorned with a mask reminiscent of the Mask of Creation from *Ragnarok*. Odin believed this mask granted infinite knowledge, but its true purpose remained a mystery after Atreus chose not to use it. Faye recognizes the mask just before it disintegrates, suggesting that if another mask exists, the path Kratos and Atreus are on may be fraught with danger.

From the outset, it’s clear that Faye is more agile than Kratos was when we last saw him. She possesses a double jump and displays a nimble fighting style, utilizing her verticality to juggle enemies reminiscent of the Clickers from *The Last of Us*. Her combat abilities include some limited magic, which she notes feels weaker than expected. While *Laufey* shares the over-the-shoulder perspective of *God of War*, Faye’s gameplay mechanics appear distinct from Kratos’.

Faye encounters her first companion early on—a small creature resembling East Asian dragon depictions. Though it doesn’t speak, it guides her through the initial challenges. This introduction of new mythological elements hints at the broader scope of the world Faye has entered.

Shortly after parting ways with her dragon-like friend, Faye is confronted by a pair of soldiers who seem to be Mongolian. They discuss a “gateway” that has been closed, leading her into a prison camp where various creatures and beings from different mythologies are captured. Among them, she spots a subdued Kitsune and a group incinerating small dragon corpses.

Faye attempts to fight back but is captured and brought before Begtse, the Mongolian god of war. He tries to intimidate her until Sekhmet, the Egyptian goddess of war, intervenes. This unusual pairing underscores the series’ premise that multiple mythologies coexist in this universe, all converging in this strange realm. Begtse reveals that death doesn’t hold the same meaning here, offering to demonstrate by overpowering her, but Sekhmet stops him, warning that ignoring the truth will only lead to more suffering.

Before tensions escalate, a bright light emanates from a distant observatory. Sekhmet departs with a giant sphinx to address this “problem,” leaving Faye imprisoned. Inside her cage, she meets two new allies: a gelatinous cube named Phranque and a sentient ribbon called Rue, which is wrapped around a sword embedded in Phranque. Their origins are unclear, leading to rampant speculation among fans. Rue could reference Leizu, the silk creator from Chinese legend, or the Huntian Ling sash from Asian mythology.

Phranque, a liquid cube voiced by Jack Quaid, adds to the mystery. Some fans theorize he might be part of a larger entity, severed when the sword was removed. The sword itself remains a mystery, with speculation that it could be Excalibur, possibly pulled from water, creating Phranque through some magical force. Faye has clearly entered a melting pot of legends, but the question remains: where exactly is she?

Phranque refers to this realm as “the Everywhen,” the afterlife of gods where they all converge upon death, yet it may still connect to the living world. After Faye escapes her cage using an explosive, she briefly encounters what appears to be Kratos, who helps her up before vanishing. This moment has sparked fan theories, especially when synced with a scene from *Ragnarok* where Kratos briefly dies and is revived by Thor, suggesting a deeper connection.

Whether this is a coincidence or intentional remains to be seen, as the timeline doesn’t align perfectly—years have passed since Faye’s death and Kratos’ near demise in *Ragnarok*. However, in the afterlife, time may function differently.

Now that Faye has accepted her fate, she can fully harness her magic and wields Rue’s mysterious sword. The differences between her and Kratos become stark; she can cast spells that separate souls from bodies, perform acrobatic maneuvers, and collaborate with Rue to ensnare and dispatch enemies. Kratos always praised Faye as a warrior, and it’s thrilling to see her skills come to life.

The trailer culminates in an epic showdown between Faye and Begtse, showcasing the series’ signature style of combat, with both characters launching each other across the battlefield. Begtse hints that Faye’s blade holds more significance than she realizes, suggesting he may fear it for a reason.

The title card interrupts just as the action heats up, but these first 20 minutes offer plenty to ponder. Though Faye is dead, she may still influence the living as she battles gods from various pantheons in the Everywhen. With companions by her side, much like Kratos and Atreus, the journey ahead is sure to be filled with surprises. While more details are promised in the coming months, *God of War: Laufey* currently lacks a release date, leaving fans eager for its arrival on PS5. The convergence of multiple mythologies has opened up a world of speculation and excitement for what’s to come.