Last updated: 2026-06-03
Faye — full name Laufey — is the playable protagonist of God of War Laufey, the new PS5 action-adventure revealed at State of Play on June 2, 2026. She is Kratos’s wife, Atreus’s mother, a frost giant of Jötunheim, and a legendary warrior known across the Nine Realms as Laufey the Just and the Golden Hand of the Jötnar. Death was supposed to be the end for her — instead, her story is just beginning.
Quick answer (and the one everyone is searching): Faye is Laufey. They are the same person — “Faye” was the alias she used while hiding her family from the gods. This page is about the God of War character, not Laufey the Icelandic singer.
Faye (Laufey), the new playable protagonist, in the Everywhen.
”Faye is Laufey” — and not the singer
Let’s clear up the two biggest sources of confusion right away.
- Faye = Laufey. As God of War Laufey game director Ariel Lawrence’s team has confirmed, “Faye” is simply the alias Laufey used. (IGN: “Faye is Laufey; let’s get any confusion there may be over that out of the way. Mother to Atreus and second wife of Kratos, she went by the alias Faye when she and her family were forced into hiding from the gods.”) She kept her true nature — a Giant of Jötunheim — hidden from those who would hunt her family.
- Not the singer. Search “Laufey” and you’ll mostly find the Icelandic jazz-pop artist. This page is about the God of War warrior Laufey, also called Faye — a completely different person.
Jötun heritage — a frost giant of Jötunheim
Faye is a Jötunn (frost giant) of Jötunheim, the realm of the Giants. Game Informer confirms her “proper name of Laufey, given her frost giant heritage.” For years she lived in Midgard under the name Faye, keeping her giant lineage secret even from her own family. Her impact on the Nine Realms — per the official PlayStation Blog, “a legendary warrior and leader” — “was left on the Nine Realms long before she ever met Kratos.”
Laufey the Just & the Golden Hand of the Jötnar
Two titles define her standing among the Giants:
Laufey the Just
Her name among the Nine Realms. A legendary warrior, leader, and protector — a reputation earned long before Kratos.
Golden Hand of the Jötnar
"The most powerful protector of the Giants." She "wielded fearsome powers, including the ability to manipulate souls" — and "proven equal to even the likes of Thor."
As the official PlayStation Blog puts it: “As the Golden Hand of the Jötnar, the most powerful protector of the Giants — Faye wielded fearsome powers, including the ability to manipulate souls.” That soul-manipulation is the seed of her signature combat ability — see the Combat & Mechanics page.
She is no ordinary warrior. The same source notes she “has proven equal to even the likes of Thor, one of the strongest gods in the Nine Realms.” She also has the power of foresight, and — a detail long-time fans will recognize — the Leviathan Axe from God of War was originally crafted for her before it ever reached Kratos.
Ties to Kratos & Atreus
Faye is the second wife of Kratos and the mother of Atreus. The plans she put in place to protect both of them are the emotional engine of God of War Laufey: after awakening unexpectedly after her own funeral, she discovers those plans “are now at risk,” and she must fight to return to the family she loves. For how that journey begins, see the Story page.
Faye is joined on her journey by new companions — the cosmic cube Phranque and the ribbon guardian Rue.
Prior appearances: 2018 & Ragnarök
| Game | How Faye appears |
|---|---|
| God of War (2018) | Present only as a corpse — her funeral pyre opens the game — yet she drives its entire story. |
| God of War Ragnarök (2022) | We “actually see and hear from Faye, albeit in dream sequences.” |
| God of War Laufey (2026) | For the first time, Faye is the playable protagonist. |
God of War Laufey is a continuation of the timeline that “starts the moment that Faye’s body is burnt on the funeral pyre at the beginning of 2018’s God of War.” It is not a prequel — Cory Barlog (now Head of Creative at Santa Monica Studio): “This is not a prequel. This is a continuation of the timeline right at the beginning of God of War 2018.”
Sources
- PlayStation Blog — “First Look at God of War Laufey” (2026-06-02): blog.playstation.com/2026/06/02/first-look-at-god-of-war-laufey/
- Game Informer — “God of War Laufey Stars Kratos’ Wife…” (frost-giant heritage, 2018 funeral framing)
- IGN — “Faye’s story so far and why you won’t be playing as Kratos…” (Faye = Laufey; alias; Ragnarök dream sequences)
- GamesRadar — Cory Barlog: “This is not a prequel… a continuation of the timeline.”
- IGN ME — “Inside God of War Laufey” (foresight, Leviathan Axe crafted for her, fought Thor)
- The Sixth Axis — “Laufey the Just (portrayed once more by Deborah Ann Woll).”