A rumored PlayStation State of Play event has the gaming community abuzz, as whispers suggest we could soon see a new, smaller-scale entry in the revered God of War franchise. Leaks are pointing to Santa Monica Studio developing a 2.5D Metroidvania-style spin-off, but what truly has our attention are the surprising talks of a multiplatform release extending beyond PlayStation 5 to include Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox, and PC. This potential move represents a significant departure for a series traditionally synonymous with PlayStation consoles, and honestly, we're cautiously optimistic about the strategic implications for Sony.
While official confirmation from Sony or Santa Monica Studio remains elusive, reputable leakers like Nash Weedle and Nate The Hate have strongly indicated that multiplatform availability is being actively considered for this rumored project. We understand why this might seem like heresy to long-time PlayStation fans, but bringing a God of War title to a wider audience could significantly boost sales and introduce the franchise to new players, especially on handhelds where 2D side-scrollers have historically thrived.
Deimos's Debut: A Prequel Pitches Ancient Greek Return
The speculated new title, internally referred to as 'GOW x Blasphemous,' is rumored to be a prequel to the main God of War series, taking players back to Ancient Greece long before Kratos achieved godhood. Instead of Kratos, the rumored playable character is his brother, Deimos. The community reaction to this genre shift has been largely enthusiastic, with many fans "losing it" over the prospect of a God of War Metroidvania and noting how well the series' combat could translate. Comparisons to successful indie titles like Blasphemous (which we consider one of the best Metroidvanias in recent memory) and Hades have been made, though some viewers are already challenging the bold claim of a "better art style than Hades".
Initially, insiders like Jeff Grubb hinted at a 2025 release window, but this has reportedly shifted to a 2026 launch. This smaller-scale project is said to be under development by Santa Monica Studio, potentially with support from Mega Cat Studios, known for their retro-inspired titles. We see this as an intelligent way for Santa Monica to experiment with new gameplay styles without committing the full resources of a mainline AAA entry, potentially broadening their creative horizons.
What's Next for the Mainline Saga: Egyptian Gods and Atreus's Journey
Beyond the captivating Metroidvania spin-off, rumors persist about the next mainline installment in the God of War series. With the Norse saga concluding with the "Valhalla" DLC for God of War Ragnarök, speculation now points to a new setting rooted in Egyptian mythology for the potential God of War 6.
Early leaks suggest this future title could see Atreus stepping into the primary protagonist role, embarking on a quest to find giants, possibly without Kratos. Should Kratos return, he is rumored to wield an Egyptian Khopesh sword. This eagerly anticipated sequel is expected to target PlayStation 5 and the next-generation PlayStation 6. Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming is reportedly investigating these possibilities, and frankly, we're excited by the prospect of Atreus's continued evolution and the exploration of a fresh mythological landscape.
Kratos Comes to Prime Video: Casting Choices and Production Ponderings
The God of War universe is also extending its reach into live-action with an Amazon Prime Video series, currently in pre-production in Vancouver and expected to begin filming in March 2026. The series, announced in 2022, is currently anticipated to release in 2027, possibly 2028, adapting the storylines of both 2018's God of War and 2022's God of War Ragnarök.
In a significant casting announcement on January 14, 2026, Ryan Hurst was confirmed to play Kratos. Hurst previously provided the voice and motion capture for Thor in God of War Ragnarök, a connection that resonated positively with many fans, who praised the choice as "magnificent". Even Christopher Judge, the iconic voice of Kratos in the games, lauded Hurst as a "great actor" and a "gamer who actually played God of War since its inception". However, the casting for Atreus, Callum Vinson, received more mixed reactions, with some fans expressing concerns over his physical resemblance to the character.
The cast also includes Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Teresa Palmer as Sif, Max Parker as Heimdall, Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Jeff Gulka as Sindri, and Danny Woodburn as Brok. Showrunner duties recently transitioned from Rafe Judkins to Ronald D. Moore in late 2024, a change we hope provides a clear and consistent vision for the ambitious adaptation. A trailer for the series is not expected until late 2026 at the earliest.
Ragnarök's Enduring Reign and Its PC Port's Performance
God of War Ragnarök, released in 2022, continues to be a critical and commercial success. It boasts an impressive Metacritic score of 94/100 and had sold 15 million units as of November 2023. To put that into perspective, the game sold 5.1 million copies in its first week, making it PlayStation's fastest-selling first-party title ever, surpassing The Last of Us Part 2's initial sales. It even outsold the highly acclaimed 2018 God of War in its first week. While its 15 million units are strong, it's worth noting that previous PlayStation exclusives like 2018's God of War (over 20 million units) and Marvel's Spider-Man (over 20 million units) have achieved even higher figures. Its free "Valhalla" DLC, released in late 2023, served as a compelling epilogue to the Norse saga, offering additional story content and engaging replayable combat encounters.
For PC gamers, God of War Ragnarök is currently available, though it requires robust hardware and a hefty 45 GB of storage. We've found that it performs surprisingly well on various handhelds, offering a quality experience on the go.
The PC version is currently discounted at CDKeys, with the Standard Edition priced at $51.89 (down from $59.99) and the Deluxe Edition at $61.19 (down from $69.99).
Our Take: Separating Fact from Fan Fiction
It is crucial to remember that all details concerning upcoming God of War games—including the rumored Metroidvania spin-off and the potential God of War 6—are based on leaks and rumors. Neither Sony nor Santa Monica Studio has confirmed these projects, their specifics, or their release windows. While information from reputable leakers can often be accurate, it remains speculative and subject to change until an official announcement is made. We believe it's important for the community to approach these exciting prospects with a healthy dose of skepticism, eagerly anticipating official word while understanding the fluid nature of early development information.
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