For fans of the God of War franchise, the wait for the next chapter just got a little longer. Santa Monica Studio announced this week that God of War: Laufey—the highly anticipated prequel centered on Kratos' late wife—has been delayed by three months. The game, originally slated for a February 2027 launch, will now arrive on May 20, 2027.
The news came via the official Santa Monica Studio X account, which cited the need for additional polish to ensure the game meets the studio's high standards. While delays are never fun, this one comes with a silver lining for players juggling a packed gaming calendar.
What We Know About God of War: Laufey
First teased earlier this year during a PlayStation State of Play, God of War: Laufey promises to explore the untold story of Faye, the fierce warrior who captured Kratos' heart. Fans first met her in the 2018 reboot, where her dying wish sent Kratos and Atreus on a journey to scatter her ashes atop the highest peak in all the realms—a quest that ultimately revealed her connection to the giants of Jotunheim.
The State of Play showcase treated fans to over 20 minutes of uninterrupted gameplay, offering a deep dive into Laufey's combat style, her relationship with the world, and the challenges she faced long before Kratos entered the picture. It's a bold narrative shift for the franchise, which has largely centered on the Ghost of Sparta himself.
The Bigger Picture: God of War's Expanding Universe
While Laufey takes center stage, the franchise is branching out in other directions. Prime Video is developing a live-action God of War series, though a release date remains under wraps. The show initially cast Ryan Hurst as Kratos, but after an injury threatened to halt production for months, the role was recast with Dave Bautista, who is reportedly ready to step in as cameras prepare to roll again.
Meanwhile, franchise mastermind Cory Barlog has confirmed that Santa Monica Studio is also working on a new mainline game centered on Kratos. That project will have to wait its turn, though, as Laufey takes priority in the timeline.
A Silver Lining for Gamers
One unexpected upside to the delay: it gives players more time to tackle Grand Theft Auto 6, which is also slated for 2027. With a main story clocking in at around 80 hours—plus a mountain of side content—GTA 6 is a massive time commitment. The extra three months could be a godsend for those who want to finish Rockstar's epic before diving into the realms of Norse mythology.
As for other delayed projects, this isn't the first time a major release has slipped. CBS recently pushed back Matlock Season 3, and NCIS: Sydney Season 4 also faced a delay. Even the D&D and World of Warcraft crossover hit a snag. It seems 2027 is shaping up to be a year of patience for fans.
For now, all eyes are on May 20, 2027. Until then, we'll be rewatching the original God of War reboot and speculating about what Laufey's journey will reveal. Stay tuned for more updates as they come.
