With Kratos out of the picture, PlayStation's most powerful franchise heads to a realm "far, far away". Everywhen is the afterlife of the gods in God of War Laufey. Described as the place where all magic originates and to which it returns, this transcendent realm exists above the worlds and afterlives the franchise has previously introduced.It’s there that Faye awakens after the funeral shown at the beginning of 2018's God of War. The former leader of the Giants discovers that her plans to protect Kratos and Atreus are threatened and needs to find a way to leave the Everywhen to help them.This journey creates an unprecedented opportunity for Santa Monica Studio. For the first time, gods and creatures from different mythologies can inhabit the same setting without Faye needing to physically travel between countries or pantheons.What is the Everywhen in God of War Laufey ?The Everywhen is a plane of existence that serves as the afterlife for gods. While places like the Underworld and Helheim receive the dead from their respective mythologies, this new realm transcends such divisions and draws in magic-linked beings from different parts of the world.Santa Monica Studio explains that all magic originates and ends in the Everywhen. Gods, magical creatures, and native beings coexist in this same environment, though the relationship between them is far from peaceful.The realm also features unique landscapes, unknown creatures, and a structure that remains largely unexplained. Some deities appear to vie for power and control territories, turning the supposed rest of the afterlife into a highly dangerous place.Why is the place called Everywhen?The word “everywhen” can be understood as “at all times” or “at any time”. The name suits a realm that exists outside the rules known to mortals and brings together characters from different eras and mythologies.In an interview for GameSpot, director Ariel Lawrence explained that the team envisioned "Everywhen" as a place of "all times and no time". The term emerged during development and ultimately stuck as the official name.Lawrence refrained from explaining exactly how time functions in this space. Consequently, we don’t know yet whether Faye will be able to visit past events, observe different eras, or encounter characters who died long ago. While the concept allows for such possibilities, time travel hasn’t yet been confirmed.Is God of War: Laufey a prequel?God of War Laufey continues Faye's story immediately after her funeral. Cory Barlog clarified that the game doesn’t revisit the years prior to her relationship with Kratos, although it may explore memories and events from her life.The adventure begins during the opening sequence of 2018’s God of War. As Kratos and Atreus embark on the journey to scatter her ashes, Faye awakens in the Everywhen and attempts to make sense of what has happened.This setup allows the two stories to unfold in parallel. Kratos’s appearances in promotional materials may also present known events from a different perspective—particularly during moments when he was thinking about or dreaming of his wife.Why did Faye end up in the Gods' afterlife?Faye was a Jötunn and doesn’t belong to the same group of deities as Odin, Thor, or Kratos. Her arrival in Everywhen is possible because the realm also welcomes creatures and individuals deeply connected to magic.Known as the Golden Hand of the Jötnar, Faye possessed powerful abilities and could manipulate souls. This connection becomes even more intense in Everywhen, where the protagonist can separate an enemy's soul from their body and use it during combat.The game has yet to explain whether Faye arrived in the realm through the normal process of death or if some interference triggered her awakening. The character herself considers it impossible to be conscious in that place, suggesting that her presence may conceal something beyond her magical origins.What happened to Everywhen?The natural flow of magic was disrupted either before or during Faye's arrival. Santa Monica Studio hasn’t yet revealed who caused the issue, though this imbalance appears to affect the entire realm and the plans the protagonist had made for her family.Leaving the Everywhen will also prove difficult. Faye will need to discover the place's true nature and understand how the magic works to find a way back home.The word "home" should be treated with some caution. Official materials don’t confirm that Faye will be resurrected or physically return to the Nine Realms. Her objective might involve a temporary passage, contact with her family, or some other way of influencing the world of the living.Which gods live in the Everywhen?Sekhmet and Begtse are the first confirmed deities in Everywhen. They greet Faye with a degree of hostility and appear among the key adversaries showcased during the presentation.Sekhmet hails from Egyptian mythology, while Begtse is linked to Tibetan and Mongolian traditions. Their presence demonstrates that the new game can explore various pantheons without abandoning its core setting.Faye will also encounter Phranque—a cosmic cube voiced by Jack Quaid—and Rue, a guardian made of enchanted ribbons. Both accompany the protagonist during her escape and help introduce the rules of this world.Everywhen also features beings born within the realm itself. This allows the team to work with well-known mythological figures while also creating characters with no direct ties to any specific religion.Can gods killed by Kratos appear?Everywhen opens the door for the return of deities defeated during Kratos's journey. Director Ariel Lawrence acknowledged the potential to explore the fates of these characters—a question the team has discussed since the death of Ares in the original God of War.No specific returns have been announced. According to Lawrence, any appearance would need to contribute to the story, preventing "Everywhen" from turning into a mere parade of cameos.A meeting between Faye and a past victim of Kratos could reveal unknown details about the Spartan's past. It would also be a highly uncomfortable situation for someone trying to return to her husband's arms.Is the Everywhen connected to Odin and his mask?God of War Ragnarök depicted Odin as obsessed with a single question: what happens to the gods after death? This quest led the All-Father to the mysterious rift in Asgard and the mask Atreus helped reconstruct.The Everywhen answers part of this question by revealing a destiny reserved for the gods. The proximity between the two concepts fuels the theory that the rift observed by Odin could lead to this new realm.Santa Monica Studio hasn’t yet confirmed this connection. The God of War: Laufey announcement mentions Odin's obsession but doesn’t identify the rift or the mask as portals to the Everywhen. For now, the direct link remains in the realm of theory.Is the Everywhen Athena's higher plane?Athena returned after her death in God of War II, claiming to have attained a higher state of existence. Her new form and powers were never fully explained, making the goddess a prime candidate for an appearance in the Everywhen.The transcendent realm shares characteristics compatible with the plane Athena mentioned. Both exist above the known worlds and are linked to the destiny of divine beings.Ariel Lawrence has stopped short of confirming that the two locations are one and the same. While the team has discussed the fate of the gods since the franchise's inception, this doesn’t officially establish the Everywhen as the same plane Athena inhabits.Will Everywhen allow for the exploration of other mythologies?The creation of Everywhen allows God of War to bring together different pantheons within a single story. The presence of Sekhmet and Begtse confirms that the adventure will go beyond the Greek and Norse traditions previously explored.This meeting doesn’t mean that all mythologies share the exact same world. The Everywhen functions as a higher layer where their representatives can meet after death or due to their connection to magic.The setting also prepares the franchise to introduce new gods without immediately committing to a third region for Kratos to explore. Faye will be able to meet these figures, uncover their conflicts, and expand the universe before the series decides on its next destination.Will Everywhen be the only setting for God of War: Laufey?Most of the adventure is expected to take place in Everywhen, described by PlayStation as a vast world filled with ethereal landscapes. There’s no confirmation yet as to whether Faye will be able to physically visit the Nine Realms or other regions.Scenes featuring Kratos might present flashbacks, magical connections, or parallel events. Since time operates differently in this realm, the narrative has the freedom to follow the family without removing Faye from the afterlife.God of War Laufey is set for release on PS5, though a specific date hasn’t yet been announced. Until then, the true nature of Everywhen remains one of the key mysteries of the franchise's new phase.Which mystery of the Everywhen do you most want to see answered?
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