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We're getting a new God of War game, and Kratos has a brand new look! He has long, luscious hair, a proclivity for magic, a slim, feminine build, and even appears to have lasered off his body-length tattoo – wait. Hold on a moment; I'm getting reports that this is not Kratos, but in fact Laufey the Giant, his late wife and the star of God of War Laufey.
This is a huge deal – God of War is Kratos' series. Kratos could be perceived as an "alpha male," although he contains far too much emotional intelligence and willingness to mature, but the impact of shelving him in favor of a woman should not be taken for granted. Streamer Asmongold took offense to God of War starring a "43-year-old suburban mom," while Domino's Pizza UK Twitter account decided it wanted people to hate its pizza even more, and compared a lack of Kratos to a lack of pepperoni on a pizza. Santa Monica Studios didn't let the remark slide, responding with a sardonic “ok thanks for the feedback, dominos pizza corporate account.”
Playing as a woman in an action-adventure game or an RPG isn't unheard of. Lara Croft is a veritable OG, The Last of Us has certified badass Ellie Williams, and while her gender is optional, Mass Effect's Captain Shepherd is a beloved leader. Women in leading roles still face loud pushback from misogynists, but their vitriol is being ignored. In the last year alone we've seen Atsu in Ghost of Yotei, Grace Ashcroft in Resident Evil Requiem, a tiny mouse lady named Mina in recent indie hit Mina the Hollower – and now Laufey will be leading her very own God of War game.
Her turn
God of War's Cory Barlog has been planning Faye's story for a decade
While women in gaming are medievally criticized for their looks, the argument that Laufey isn't attractive is not only false, but irrelevant. I wasn't aware that being attracted to the playable character was a requirement to enjoy a game, because as a lesbian that would mean I forgot to hate the majority of the games I've played. The claim that Laufey is a downgrade in terms of combat and strength is also laughable: while she may have a different fighting style, we know from God of War Ragnarök that the woman went toe-to-toe with Thor, leaving behind a frozen lightning bolt as evidence of their realm-shaking battle.
The story being offered by Santa Monica Studios is also undeniably intriguing. We know Laufey as Faye, and from the very start of the God of War reboot, she's a wife and mother who has recently passed, the cause not revealed to the player. But her influence permeates throughout the first story, as she leads Kratos and Atreus to Jotun, the land of the Giants, so Atreus can learn who he really is. Now, we get to follow Laufey as she wakes up after her body has been burnt on the pyre, and she must fight through the afterlife of the gods, Everywhen, to protect the journey laid out for Kratos and Atreus.
A wife and mother fighting to protect her family even after her living body has perished. How is that not the sickest shit you've ever heard?
The fact of the matter is, the majority of gamers are excited. I saw a handful of reels on Instagram already of men showing excitement for Laufey's story. And this extends to other games as well, as I recall another video of a man dancing in excitement about the announcement of the Resident Evil Veronica remake. Women are taking up more space as protagonists in games, rather than simply being customizable character options or living solely within a few beloved game series, and their presence is being increasingly welcomed.
Their stories are being shared, not just in the periphery or in-tandem to a male protagonist, but from the player's viewpoint. Stories of female hardship and victory are being pushed to the forefront in both the indie scene and mainstream, and it's being done successfully. Hades 2 traded out their fan-favorite protagonist, Zagreus, for his sister Melinoë, and her story resulted in one of the best games of 2025. Silent Hill f forces players to reconcile with the suffocating reality of a Japanese schoolgirl in the 1960s as Hinako, and has earned itself a place in the series' hall of fame.
Female stories are being told, whether they be hopeful and victorious, or brutally real and devastating. And players are flocking to them. The vitriol we're seeing towards Laufey is that of a loud minority; one that's going to get left behind. This is the future of gaming, and it's better for it.
Is God of War Laufey about to join the ranks of the best PS5 games ever? Time will tell...
