The God of War franchise has once again become the center of attention in 2025, with rumors indicating that a new title is in development at Santa Monica Studio. According to journalist Jeff Grubb, the project wouldn’t be a remastered collection but rather a side-story set in Ancient Greece.

In social media posts, Grubb stated that there's “a Greek God of War thing coming out this year, but it’s not a remaster collection.”

Another insider — Tom Henderson — reinforced that the upcoming game would feature a younger Kratos, exploring his relationship with his father, Zeus.

Expected format and setting

Unlike the recent entries set in Norse mythology, this new project would return to Ancient Greece, going back to the saga’s origins.

Rumors suggest the game may adopt a 2.5D metroidvania style, very different from the cinematic and semi-open-world scope of the main entries.

This smaller-scale approach would allow a more focused narrative and room to explore lesser-known characters — such as Deimos, Kratos’ brother — or early life events of the protagonist.

Delay and potential release window

Despite initial optimism for a 2025 launch, sources now state that the project has been internally delayed to 2026.

The delay suggests the studio may be prioritizing another new IP or waiting for the ideal moment to reveal the next God of War.

So far, there has been no official confirmation from Sony or Santa Monica Studio, keeping everything in the realm of speculation.

Fans’ hopes and skepticism

Across online communities, many fans celebrate the idea of returning to Ancient Greece with a young Kratos, or even Deimos as the protagonist, and hope for a more narrative-driven metroidvania format.

On the other hand, some fans fear that a 2.5D spin-off may not match the grandeur of recent titles like God of War Ragnarök.

Even if the release happens only in 2026, the possibility of a return to the Greek era continues to fuel discussion and speculation about the franchise’s future.