Get Hyped To Play God of War: Laufey

The next chapter in the God of War universe is near. During PlayStation’s recent State of Play, the final announcement was the reveal of God of War: Laufey. This new game will center around Kratos’ wife and Atreus’s mother, Fey or Lafey. And not only was the game announced but 20 minutes of gameplay was also shown. That familiar fast paced, hard hitting, aggressive style God of War is known for was obviously present with a few tricks exclusive to Fey. Some other little hints were also teased in the video. The game shows promise, yet some gamers were a little apprehensive about it. Even though a lot is still under wraps, enough was revealed to stir some hype and curiosity. God of War: Laufey has plenty to offer to the God of War franchise.

So far, the main gripe fans have with the newest game, is the fact gamers will be playing as Fey and not Kratos. For each God of War game, players were at the helm of Kratos. God of War: Ragnarök broke that streak a bit by introducing parts where gamers played as Atreus. But for the most part, it was Kratos. Fans were quick to say no God of War game with Kratos is not a God of War game at all. Kratos IS the God of War. He is the franchise. Having Fey as the main, and at time of writing, the only playable character, the franchise has taken a step back. Many fans are already saying they’ll skip this installment of the franchise. It has been a couple of years between games and fans were clamoring to play as Kratos again but were left disappointed when Fey is meant to be the main character. Some fans have even said this new game should serve more as Spider-Man: Miles Morales than a full game. Spider-Man: Miles Morales acted as a high-quality expansion pack for Marvel’s Spider-Man instead of a full game and was released at a cheaper price. Fans are wishing for God of War: Laufey to be at least that, an expansion pack of sorts. But going off of what was introduced in God of War (2018) and God of War: Ragnarök and what was shown in the demo, there is a lot to be excited for.

What helps give the game hype, even some credibility is what gamers already know about Fey. Throughout the two games, more and more of her was revealed. One of the earliest things we knew about her is that she left her bow to Atreus, hinting that she is proficient with the weapon. Then one of the biggest reveals of her character is that the Leviathan Axe, the flagship weapon of the Norse games, was in fact HERS. It was not a weapon Kratos created or won or found himself to which he used. That weapon belonged to Fey as much as the Blades of Chaos, unfortunately, belong to Kratos. It was made for her too. It was made for her so she and it could fight Thor. Some hints did suggest she come to blows with Thor. One of the biggest ones was when Brok said the Leviathan Axe was made to rival Mjolnir. That type of raw power was given to her. Fey was also revealed to be a great warrior. She fought perhaps two of the strongest Gods in this universe and not only stood her ground against them, but left her mark. She fought Thor and Kratos. In fact, her fight with Thor was so great it created a crater large enough for a few villages, a few dragons, monsters, and watch posts to settle in without rubbing against each other. The epic conclusion of Kratos and Thor fighting resulted in a frozen bolt of lightning. The same thing occurred between Fey and Thor first, well before she met Kratos. Kratos has even admitted she is a premier fighter and this is the one guy who killed Gods, warriors, and monsters. To put it in his words, she was a beautiful fighter. So, if she was able to stand her ground against a God who wiped out the entire Giant race and another God who wiped out an entire pantheon, Fey earns the hype.

But she is more than just a fighter. In God of War: Ragnarök, Fey was finally seen and heard. Flashbacks brought gamers back to the last moments she had with Kratos. She was instructing him on what to do in preparation for her upcoming death and was also prepping him emotionally for her death. But during these moments, Fey was giving Kratos some powerful advice, wisdom, guidance. What she was saying to him is on par with the words Iroh was dropping on Zuko (yes, it is different franchises). But what Fey had to say is proof that she is multilayered much like another character in this franchise, Kratos. Kratos was this force of rageful nature then he became tamed and was sharing powerful wisdom to his son and his allies. Knowing what came before for Kratos then hearing him preach wisdom based of that violence, elevated his character to new and phenomenal levels. The same could be done for Fey. This is a powerful being that is shaped by pain and violence who has stepped away from it. So that type of experience is with her. But she is thrusted to no fault of her own, into a situation that demands more of her violent side. There could be tense and heavy moments in the newest game where she struggles to recall that part of her life while staying true to the calmer and more enlightened side of her newest nature.

Then gamers have what was showcased during the demo to go off of. One of the first that was clear was a return to form, so to speak. The Greek games had more of an acrobatic and faster fight style. Although just as brutal as the Norse games, Kratos had a lot more pep in his step during the Greek era. That’s coming back in God of War: Laufey. Double jump is back and so is aerial combat and aerial combos. The new but classic style might be a nice nostalgic touch. Which refers back to Fey being that premier fighter. Fey was shown to be fast, aggressive, brutal, well trained in fighting and swordsmanship. Fey will also incorporated magic into her gameplay. In the short demo, it seems to be a power she wants to rely on but due to an injury, her magic was limited. But her fight style will have that fast aggressive weapon-based combat with a mix of powerful, flashy magic. That brings dimension to her character as well as depth for gameplay. The developers made certain that every mention of Fey being a great fighter paid off in such a short amount of time.

Where the game is set also deserves some interest; the Everywhen. The Everywhen is essentially the afterlife for the Gods. The place where Gods go when they die. It’s already being theorized this is the place that Athena mentioned when she told Kratos she has entered a higher plane of existence. And the place Odin was trying to get a glimpse at. That idea alone should open a lot of curiosity to where the game will go. Since this is that place, Fey will no doubt come across all the Gods her husband brutally killed. And if that information gets out, most of them might want retribution. That does mean a return of the Greek Gods. Seeing her having an interaction with Zeus and Ares is worth the price of purchase on its own. Plus, it would be the return of two Gods that effectively set the entire franchise in motion.

So, the Everywhen is a melting pot in a way. All Gods from all mythologies wind up here. After a few mentions of them, particularly in God of War: Ragnarök, those mythologies finally make their debut in the God of War franchise. After God of War: Ragnarök, fans were guessing what would be the next pantheon Kratos will come in conflict with. Egypt was the popular choice. And God of War: Laufey is showing a sliver of the Egyptian pantheon. Sekhmet, the Egyptian Goddess of War, was confirmed to be in the game and looks like she might be the main threat. The Mongolian God of War, Begtse, was always revealed and shown to be in an enforcer role. And the sword Fey is going to use in the game is also drawing some theories. A young boy that Fey rescues, warns her of the sword she picked up. Fans are already theorizing it might be Excalibur from Arthurian mythology. If that were to be true, three mythologies are already confirmed with more being kept behind curtains for the full release of the game. Not knowing for sure which Gods and mythologies are going to have a role in God of War: Laufey should draw in the highest amount of interest for the game.

The emotional aspect of the latest games will be present as well. Those sentimental moments Kratos had with Atreus and Fey were some of the strongest moments in the Norse Games. It has already been confirmed, Fey’s journey will parallel Kratos’ and Atreus’ journey. So, there is a high chance there is going to be moments where those journeys overlap. That opens up the possibility of more moments between Kratos and Fey but also opens up an opportunity that hasn’t been seen in the games; moments between Fey and Atreus. Atreus was hellbent on carrying out his mother’s last wish by pouring her ashes over the highest point of all the nine realms. Other than that though, not much more was to be had between Fey and Atreus. Since Atreus is more entuned with magic, it would easier for her to reach him. So, fans might see those famous sentimental moments between mother and son this time around.

When God of War: Laufey was revealed, fans were quick to jump to their own sides. One half welcomed the new direction, others rejected it. But there are reasons to be excited about it. It expands the world and will deliver some small pieces of new lore for the God of War franchise that gamers have wanted. The game is also going to include elements that are familiar. The same elements that made the Norse games so great. Although this is going to be a God of War game with no Kratos, does not mean it doesn’t have exciting material. It has a lot to offer. This game is melting pot of exciting new features but still committed to what came before. God of War: Laufey deserves the hype.