PlayStation State of Play: God of War’s Laufey, Wolverine, and Until Dawn 2 Revealed

Santa Monica Studio has provided the first glimpse of God of War: Laufey, introducing a female protagonist and a humorous, talking cube as central elements of the next chapter in the acclaimed franchise. The reveal was a highlight of PlayStation’s recent State of Play showcase, which also featured trailers for a new Wolverine title, a sequel to Until Dawn, and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis.

While the announcements have generated significant buzz, the decision to center the next mainline God of War entry on a woman has sparked debate among some fans. Since its debut in 2005, the series has been defined by the journey of Kratos, a Greek god navigating a saga of triumphs, betrayals, and tragedies. As one of PlayStation’s most decorated franchises, the series has consistently garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards.

The upcoming game, currently without an official release date, shifts focus to Laufey, Kratos’ wife and fellow warrior. Although her death was previously established as the finality of her arc in God of War Ragnarök, the new campaign begins with her awakening in an unfamiliar realm following her funeral, marking the beginning of a fresh adventure.

Imogen Mellor, a 28-year-old gamer and God of War enthusiast, told BBC Newsbeat that she finds the prospect of Laufey’s standalone story "so exciting." A self-proclaimed "massive fan" of actress Deborah Ann Woll, who provided the voice and motion capture for Laufey in the previous installment, Mellor praised the game’s visuals and gameplay. "It's going to be such an adventure, the game play looks incredible," she said.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the gender swap, Mellor expressed frustration that some players prioritize the protagonist's gender over narrative continuity. "Unfortunately, there is a section of gaming fans that prefer to play male protagonists," she noted, adding that it is "upsetting" to see such emphasis placed on gender rather than the story’s progression. She suggested that many male gamers may struggle to relate to a female lead, having long been accustomed to living out the fantasy of being the hero.

Despite these concerns, Mellor believes the "majority of people" are eager to explore Laufey’s background. She argued that the shift makes narrative sense, as players have yet to fully understand the woman who earned Kratos’ respect. "We've really got this very deep connection with his [Kratos'] feeling about Laufey... But we haven't really met Laufey," she explained. "She's obviously going to be a massively complex person, because you have to be if you're married to Kratos."

From the 23-minute trailer, Mellor observed that Laufey is portrayed as a "capable warrior" with no "damsel in distress moments" or excessive hand-holding. The trailer also introduced a gelatinous cube companion, voiced by The Hunger Games actor Jack Quaid. Describing the character as "hilarious," Mellor appreciated the addition, noting it brings a sense of fun to what is typically a "very serious game."

Beyond God of War, the State of Play event generated excitement for other titles. Marvel’s Wolverine, scheduled for release on September 15, was showcased with a glimpse that Mellor described as proof that "action games are back." She characterized the trailer as "very gory and... aggressive," fitting for the character. Additionally, the event confirmed the development of Until Dawn 2, more than a decade after the original 2015 survival horror hit, which was known for its butterfly-effect mechanics and featured Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-03 16:21:24 UTC