God of War Laufey Adds More Depth to Kratos by Revealing Their Untold Past

The upcoming God of War game centered on Laufey is becoming increasingly compelling as more attention turns toward how it could expand Kratos' story. The story may also reveal more about the events that shaped Kratos before the 2018 game and give greater context to his transformation.

While the game is expected to focus on Laufey rather than Kratos, recent comments from Christopher Judge have sparked discussion about how her story could provide more context for the character fans already know. In particular, the game could help explain the major change Kratos went through between the original trilogy and the 2018 game.

Kratos is completely unique when you compare the character from the original games with the version seen in 2018.

The earlier games established him as a character driven heavily by anger, revenge, and hatred, while the later version is far more restrained and reflective. There has always been a gap between those two versions of the character, and while the 2018 game explained parts of that transformation, there is still plenty of time between the two eras that fans have never seen directly.

That is where Laufey could become especially important. Christopher Judge recently discussed the possibility that her story could provide an explanation for the genesis of Kratos' change rather than simply changing how fans view him. The idea is less about rewriting the character and more about showing the bridge that the Kratos fans saw at the end of the original trilogy.

That missing period is particularly interesting because Laufey was an important part of Kratos' life, yet fans have never had the opportunity to experience much of their relationship directly. We know that the two were married and that they had a son together, but the games have largely left their time together outside the main story. 

There has already been discussion about whether Kratos could actually be playable at some point in the new game. Based on the way the project has been presented, however, there is a strong distinction between Kratos being present and Kratos being the main playable character. 

The developers were quick to clarify that the next big God of War title would go back to Kratos after this project was announced, making it difficult to know just how much direct gameplay time he might see here. That leaves Kratos' exact role in the game open to interpretation.

It's possible that Kratos will be playable for a short period of time, but that doesn’t mean he would be a main character in the experience. The more interesting option is that the game lets you see Kratos through the eyes of Laufey. This way, you get to see a side of him that’s never been explored in quite the same way while keeping Laufey at the center of the story.

It could also provide the game a chance to add more depth to the original God of War trilogy.

And Laufey's story might even feature characters and events from the older games, including the gods and history that influenced Kratos before he arrived in the Norse world. If the game explores what Laufey knew about Kratos’ past, it could also offer a different perspective on events that fans have already seen.

It would be especially interesting to see the possibility of seeing figures such as Zeus through Laufey’s story. Whether Laufey knew of Kratos’ past or he found out pieces of it later, those moments could add context to the mythology surrounding him. The remake project also revisits the original trilogy, so this new story can provide context without just repeating the same events.

The biggest opportunity, though, could be the relationship between Laufey and Kratos. Fans know they were together, but the story has not spent much time showing what that relationship actually looked like. This could provide players a much closer look at how their bond developed over time. Even if the two characters do not spend the entire game together, showing key moments between them could explain how Laufey affected Kratos and why her influence continued to matter after her death. 

There has also been speculation about whether the game could show the fight between Laufey and Kratos. The existence of a conflict between them is already part of the story, but the exact circumstances and emotional weight surrounding it have not been explored in great detail. Christopher Judge's comments are especially revealing because they point toward the missing gap between the end of God of War III and the beginning of the 2018 game. 

The 2018 game already did a good job of communicating that change without showing every part of it directly.

Now, the Laufey game could potentially explore some of those missing moments. It wouldn't need a significant shift in Kratos' character or a rehash of what players already know about him. Instead, it could simply show the turning point where the version of Kratos defined by rage and hatred began to change into the more controlled character seen years later.

That could also provide some natural fan service, but it does not necessarily have to be the main purpose. Seeing Kratos in meaningful moments could work because Laufey tells the story from his perspective. Since you won't be playing as Kratos for most of the experience, his appearances will feel more significant whenever he enters the story.

Every interaction between Laufey and Kratos could therefore reveal something about both characters. You would see Kratos through Laufey's eyes, while Laufey's own understanding of him could develop throughout the story. That perspective could make their relationship more important than simply showing Kratos because fans expect him to appear in a God of War game.

At the same time, the ending of the game could potentially establish connections to what comes next for the franchise.

Because the story sits between major periods of Kratos' life, it has an opportunity to work as a bridge rather than existing completely separately from the larger series. That could make the project important to both the older mythology and the future direction of God of War.

The reaction to the game has also changed significantly since it was first revealed. Many fans were surprised by the first announcement, as it wasn’t obvious why a God of War title would focus on Laufey instead of Kratos. Its different creative vision only added to the uncertainty about how it would fit into the franchise.

But more details have emerged, and the idea has begun to look more promising. A major divergence from the established formula offers an opportunity to explore one of the most pivotal characters in Kratos’ life. That’s not to say Laufey’s story needs to replace Kratos’ story to be important, especially if it contextualizes characters and events fans already know.

The big question is how much of Kratos' transformation the game will actually depict.

The story has the opportunity to explore the relationship between the two characters, return to aspects of the mythology tied to the original trilogy, and add some more context to the largely unexplored years. If it handles those elements well, it could make Laufey’s story an important piece of the larger God of War timeline.

Currently, the project is an interesting addition to the franchise because it can show Kratos without him being the main character. It can show his past through someone who knew him closely instead of giving the fans another story with the same Kratos.