‘It Looks Terrible’: God of War Creator Blasts New Game ‘Laufey’ as Fans Rage Over Faye and a Talking Cube
Sony has dropped a nuclear bomb on the gaming world, unveiling ‘God of War: Laufey’ — a mainline entry that completely sidelines series icon Kratos in favour of his deceased wife, Faye.
The reveal, which closed PlayStation’s State of Play on 2nd June 2026, was met with a thunderous and polarised global reaction. Within hours, the hashtag #GodOfWarLaufey was trending worldwide, but the conversation was far from what Sony hoped for. While some praised the bold new direction, a vicious backlash erupted, led by none other than the creator of the entire franchise, David Jaffe, who declared the upcoming PS5 exclusive “absolutely terrible.”
This seismic shift follows years of rumours and marks the first time the multi-billion dollar series has abandoned Kratos as its playable protagonist. For American and global audiences, the debate is no longer about graphics or combat — it’s about identity, legacy, and whether a talking, gelatinous cube named ‘Phranque’ belongs in the brutal world of the Ghost of Sparta.
The ‘Everywhen’: Faye’s Afterlife Nightmare
‘God of War: Laufey’ is not a prequel. The 20-minute gameplay showcase revealed that the story begins immediately after Faye’s funeral pyre at the start of the 2018 game. Instead of Valhalla, she awakens in a terrifying, chaotic new realm called “the Everywhen” — the afterlife for gods from every mythology[reference:0][reference:1].
Here, Faye must battle ruthless deities from Egyptian, Mongolian, and other pantheons to protect the plans she left for Kratos and Atreus. The combat, while retaining the series’ signature brutality, is drastically different. Faye wields a magical sword with sentient ribbons and possesses a “golden hand” that can literally punch the soul out of an enemy’s body[reference:2][reference:3].
But the most controversial character is Phranque, a giant, blue, gelatinous, talking cube, voiced by ‘The Boys’ star Jack Quaid[reference:4]. His cheerful demeanour has sparked a civil war among fans. Some call him a childish aberration; others have declared him the game’s saviour. “GELATINOUS CUBE WILL SELL MILLIONS,” one fan posted sarcastically on Bluesky[reference:5].
Civil War: From Jaffe’s Rage to Fanboy Meltdowns
The backlash is loud and visceral. David Jaffe, the legendary creator who rebooted the franchise in 2018, did not hold back during a recent livestream. “I think it’s awful. I think it’s not going to sell what they need it to sell,” Jaffe blasted, adding that without the name ‘God of War’, the reveal trailer feels unrecognisable[reference:6].
On the official PlayStation X account, the community is “brutally split down the middle”[reference:7]. Critics argue that “God of War should be focusing on new mythologies, not this character”[reference:8]. Others are furious about the lack of Kratos, accusing Sony of “going woke” by introducing a female lead[reference:9].
However, the pro-Laufey camp is equally vocal. Defenders praise the “intimate, brutal combat” expansion, noting how Faye’s acrobatic speed offers a refreshing change from Kratos’ heavy power[reference:10][reference:11]. “We’ll always tell stories about Kratos… it’s not a departure; it’s an expansion,” stated Game Director Ariel Lawrence, in an attempt to quell the fires[reference:12].
What Happens Next?
The future of the God of War franchise hangs in the balance. Sony has committed to a permanent PS5 exclusive, with no release date currently set — though insiders suggest a first-half 2027 launch[reference:13][reference:14].
- The social media firestorm is unlikely to die down. Expect a ‘review bombing’ war on Metacritic the moment the game is announced for pre-order.
- If ‘Laufey’ succeeds, it paves the way for a truly expanded universe where Kratos is just one character among many. If it fails, it will be a cautionary tale for studios trying to kill the golden goose.
- For now, the discourse over Phranque the cube is set to dominate meme culture for the foreseeable future, with fans unable to decide if they want to protect him or melt him into sugar water[reference:15].
Final Thoughts
‘God of War: Laufey’ is the most dangerous game Sony has ever made. By killing off the protagonist slot of its most iconic hero, Santa Monica Studio has gambled the house. The reactions are a perfect mirror of modern gaming culture: terrified of change, yet starving for innovation. Whether this is the birth of a new action icon or the beginning of a spectacular franchise collapse, one thing is certain — nobody will be neutral about a talking cube named Frank.
This story is still developing.