Corey Barlog Explains the Timeline of ‘God of War: Laufey’ and Its Impact on the Series

During PlayStation’s State of Play showcase, Santa Monica Studio revealed that God of War: Laufey signifies a significant evolution for the beloved franchise. This installment shifts the focus to Faye, known as Laufey the Just, rather than Kratos. Faye, who is Kratos’ wife and Atreus’ mother, takes center stage for the first time in the series.

Game director Ariel Lawrence emphasized that the intention is not to sideline Kratos but to broaden the narrative universe surrounding him. She stated, “We’ll always tell stories about Kratos, but I think for us, it was just a chance to talk about somebody who was so pivotal to the beginning, to get to know them and push beyond into this new world and give us some place to be surprised and see how things connect. So for us, it’s not a departure; it’s more of an expansion.”

The narrative kicks off at the moment of Faye’s funeral from God of War (2018), where her body is cremated on the pyre. Instead of remaining in the Norse realm, she finds herself in a bizarre afterlife known as the Everywhen. Developers describe this chaotic realm as a place where gods from various mythologies coexist, but it is far from serene, with survival being a constant challenge.

Cory Barlog, Head of Creative at Santa Monica Studio, bluntly characterized the setting, stating, “They’re all assholes. Literally every god that exists in all of the mythologies has this really terrible relationship with power and how they abuse all of it.” He elaborated on the concept of showcasing the consequences of powerful beings from different mythologies being forced into a shared space.

In this new environment, Faye encounters gods from Egyptian and Mongolian mythology, such as Sekhmet and Begtse. Sekhmet is depicted as a formidable and perilous force associated with destruction and war, while Begtse serves as a fierce warrior figure. These characters contribute to the harsh landscape Faye must navigate.

Although Faye is a new playable character, the developers assure that she is not inferior to Kratos. Ariel Lawrence noted that her combat style is distinct. “Kratos is like a brick wall, and a little stoic, but his brutality is different. How do we show somebody who’s as equal as she is?” Faye relies on speed, agility, and magic rather than sheer strength.

Cory Barlog also mentioned that magic plays a more significant role for Faye than it ever did for Kratos. He remarked, “With Faye, magic is a part of her.” In the Everywhen, magic is even more potent than in previous realms, allowing her abilities to evolve as the story progresses.

The game also introduces unique companions, including a sword trapped inside a living cosmic cube named Phranque and a ribbon-like guardian called Rue. These unusual allies accompany Faye on her journey, adding layers of intrigue to her narrative.

Even though Kratos is not the primary character, he and Atreus remain connected to Faye’s journey. The developers confirmed that the timelines of God of War (2018), Ragnarök, and Laufey all run parallel, creating a cohesive universe.

Barlog summed it up by stating, “This is all a new chapter in the same book, a massive book, and we are starting to show that this has more than you could have imagined.”

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