God of War: Laufey — Faye, the realm of the dead, a talking sword, and 20 minutes of gameplay revealed at State of Play

Santa Monica Studio unveiled 20 minutes of gameplay from God of War: Laufey during today’s State of Play presentation. The game stars Faye (Laufey), played by Deborah Ann Woll, best known for portraying Karen Page in Daredevil and The Punisher.

The trailer opens with Kratos speaking to Faye at her funeral pyre, telling her that she is free. From there, the story shifts into the afterlife of the gods — and it looks very different from the Norse mythology players came to know in the previous duology.

Faye explores bleak ruins and fights with a sword, but at one point her blade shatters against an enemy’s armor. She is captured by a red-skinned demon lord and a blue-skinned woman, who pull a splinter from her hand. They threaten to kill her, only to be distracted by a mysterious light in the distance. The antagonists appear to draw inspiration from multiple mythologies and belief systems: some speak Mongolian, while others resemble Egyptian and Chinese demons, suggesting the series is moving beyond a single pantheon.

While imprisoned, Faye meets two companions: Frank, a gelatinous cube that looks more at home in Dungeons & Dragons than God of War, and a sentient sword embedded within him, whose magical ribbons speak and comment on everything happening around them. Frank describes the setting as “the afterlife of the gods,” helps Faye remember a forgotten promise, and teaches her to wield magic. Both companions actively participate in combat: Frank launches himself at enemies, while the talking sword appears to be a fully developed character with a major role in the story.

The combat system looks significantly different from recent God of War titles — faster, more aggressive, and closer in spirit to Devil May Cry or Darksiders 3. Faye combines sword attacks with ranged golden magic, chaining together strikes, kicks, aerial combos, and enemy juggling. Kratos also appears in the footage, but only briefly.

The project is directed by Cory Barlog, marking his first game since God of War (2018). God of War: Laufey is coming exclusively to PlayStation 5. No release date has been announced, though insider NateTheHate previously suggested a launch window in the first half of 2027.

Are you ready to play as Faye in the realm of the dead alongside a talking sword? Or does this feel too far removed from the God of War you know? Let us know in the comments.