God of War's Next Kratos Game Confirmed, Will Continue the Story After Laufey

Kratos isn't done yet.

At the God of War: Laufey panel during San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Sony Santa Monica confirmed that a brand-new Kratos-led God of War game is already in development, and it will arrive after Laufey while carrying that game's story forward.

Santa Monica Studio Head of Creative Cory Barlog delivered the news himself, and while he stopped short of showing gameplay or naming a title, the confirmation alone answers a question a lot of fans have been sitting with since Laufey put Faye in the spotlight instead of Kratos.

The announcement also provides a clearer roadmap for the franchise's future. God of War: Laufey launches first on February 16, 2027 for PlayStation 5, with the newly confirmed Kratos-led game arriving afterward. While Sony Santa Monica has yet to announce a title or release window for the next mainline adventure, the studio says it will continue the story directly after the events of Laufey.

Kratos Returns After God of War Laufey

The reveal came right alongside another one: God of War: Laufey is launching exclusively on PlayStation 5 on February 16, 2027.

Barlog was clear that the next Kratos game isn't a separate side story bolted onto Laufey for marketing purposes. It's directly tied to what happens in that game, which makes Laufey less of a spin-off and more of a setup.

"Everything we are doing in the Faye game is a continuation of what came before and to set up and expand what comes next. Phranque has been around since the beginning. It's interesting to see how to build this world out. Everything in the game is setting up for something so amazing."

- Cory Barlog, Head of Creative, Santa Monica Studio

Barlog's comments suggest Laufey serves as the bridge between Ragnarök and Kratos' next adventure.

What We Know About God of War Laufey

Laufey doesn't put players in Kratos' boots. Instead, it's built around Laufey, better known to fans as Faye, and her story plays out in the Everywhen, the afterlife realm reserved for gods.

According to Santa Monica, Faye learns that the plans she made years ago to protect Kratos and Atreus are now falling apart, and she has to fight her way through fallen gods to hold onto a future she already gave everything up for.

Kratos isn't the star here, but he's not sitting this one out either. The June State of Play footage opened with the scene from God of War (2018) where Kratos and Atreus cremate Faye, and later footage showed Kratos stepping in to help her at some point in her journey. How large that role actually is remains unclear.

A Bigger Story Is Already Being Planned

What stands out from the panel is just how tightly these two games are being built together. Barlog made a point of saying that everything happening in Laufey is laying groundwork for the next chapter, which suggests players hoping to fully understand the next Kratos game will want to play through Faye's story first.

Barlog also spent time on Phranque, the sentient, cosmic jelly-cube companion voiced and performance-captured by Jack Quaid. Barlog also highlighted Phranque, the sentient cosmic jelly-cube companion voiced and performance-captured by Jack Quaid, describing the character as someone who has "been around since the beginning." Exactly what that means for the broader story remains to be seen.

Could God of War Explore New Mythologies?

Santa Monica still hasn't said where Kratos ends up after Ragnarök, but Laufey opens the door to some interesting theories. Faye's journey through the Everywhen sits outside the usual Norse afterlife, and that alone has fans speculating the series might eventually move past Norse mythology for good, with Egyptian and Tibetan mythology getting floated as possibilities based on visual hints so far.

None of that is confirmed. Santa Monica has not said what setting or mythology the next Kratos game will use.

Fan Reaction

This confirmation should calm down a chunk of the fanbase that was uneasy about Kratos taking a back seat in Laufey. Early reactions to the game itself have been mixed, with plenty of praise for the visuals and combat, but some players are still cautious after only seeing the opening section and noticing Kratos isn't the one you're controlling.

Knowing a full Kratos sequel is already underway reframes Laufey as an expansion of the universe rather than a replacement for its lead.

What's Next?

For now, God of War: Laufey is the next major release on the calendar, arriving February 16, 2027 on PlayStation 5. Beyond that, Santa Monica has confirmed exactly one thing about the future: Kratos isn't finished.

With the next game already connected to Laufey's events, Santa Monica looks like it's laying track for the next era of God of War, even if fans still have to wait to find out where the Ghost of Sparta heads after that.