God of War Laufey to launch on PlayStation 5 on 16 February

Sony has confirmed that God of War Laufey, the next major entry in the long-running action series, will launch exclusively for PlayStation 5 on 16 February. The announcement was made during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con and was later shared through PlayStation’s official social media channels.

Enter the afterlife of the gods when God of War Laufey launches on PS5 February 16, 2027

Available to wishlist now: https://t.co/u4SqzrTjHp pic.twitter.com/sMFQgEZnWl

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) July 25, 2026

The upcoming title marks a significant shift for the franchise by placing Laufey, better known as Faye, in the lead role instead of Kratos. The story follows her journey through the gods’ afterlife after the events of God of War Ragnarök, offering players a fresh perspective on the series’ mythology and expanding on a character whose past has largely remained unexplored.

Laufey takes centre stage in a new adventure

God of War has traditionally focused on Kratos and, more recently, his relationship with his son Atreus. However, the new instalment turns the spotlight on Laufey, Kratos’ wife, whose influence has shaped many of the events throughout the Norse saga despite her limited on-screen presence.

The game is expected to explore her life beyond the events of God of War Ragnarök, taking players into the afterlife of the gods. This setting introduces a new chapter in the franchise while allowing fans to learn more about one of its most important yet mysterious characters.

A gameplay preview released around a month before the release date announcement offered the first detailed look at Laufey in action. The footage showed her moving swiftly through combat, striking enemies while airborne and combining physical attacks with powerful magical abilities. Players also caught a glimpse of previously unseen gods and mythical creatures that will feature in the adventure.

The combat system appears to differ from Kratos’ heavier fighting style, placing greater emphasis on speed, agility and magical attacks. This approach could provide a distinct gameplay experience while remaining faithful to the series’ action-focused roots.

New gameplay expands the God of War universe

Although fans have encountered references to Laufey throughout earlier games, they have never been able to control the character until now. Santa Monica Studio appears to be using the title to expand the series’ mythology by exploring events and locations that have only been briefly mentioned in previous stories.

The latest gameplay footage suggests that players will face a wide range of new enemies, including unfamiliar divine figures and supernatural creatures. The game’s environments also appear to introduce fresh locations inspired by Norse mythology, broadening the world established across the previous entries.

For now, the game is available to add to PlayStation wishlists ahead of its launch. While pre-order details and additional editions have yet to be announced, Sony is expected to reveal more information in the coming months as the release date approaches.

The decision to feature Laufey as the main character reflects Santa Monica Studio’s willingness to explore different perspectives within the God of War universe. By focusing on a character whose story has largely been told through memories and conversations, the developer has an opportunity to deepen the narrative while introducing new gameplay mechanics.

Kratos’ story will continue after Laufey

Fans concerned that Kratos’ journey has come to an end received reassuring news during the San Diego Comic-Con presentation. Santa Monica Studio confirmed that another God of War title centred on Kratos is already planned following the release of God of War Laufey.

The announcement indicates that the upcoming game is intended to expand the franchise rather than replace its long-standing protagonist. While Laufey’s adventure will introduce a different lead character, Kratos is expected to return in a future instalment, ensuring the series continues to build on both familiar and new storylines.

IGN also reported the confirmation, reinforcing Sony’s commitment to the franchise beyond the upcoming release. Although the studio did not reveal any details about the future Kratos-led game, the announcement suggests that development plans are already in place.

With less than a year remaining before launch, God of War Laufey is shaping up to be one of PlayStation’s biggest releases of next year. By combining a new protagonist, expanded mythology and a fresh combat style, the game aims to offer both long-time fans and newcomers a different way to experience one of gaming’s most successful action franchises.