The talking, cosmic jelly cube "Phranque" in "God of War Laufey" was planned from the beginning as a central gameplay element for the upcoming God of War Laufey.
Game Director Ariel Lawrence defended the much-criticized character creation in an interview with FlowGames. According to him, the cube's design primarily serves new mechanics in combat, movement, and puzzles.
The focus is on Cory Barlog's original design.
The online criticism following last week's State of Play reveal was loud. Many fans took issue with the whimsical design of Phranque, the companion voiced by Jack Quaid. They saw it as a departure from the otherwise down-to-earth tone of the series.
Lawrence clarifies nowPhranque is not an afterthought. Head of Creative Cory Barlog established the character back in July 2021 as one of the very first characters, at the same time as the protagonist Faye. The cube's shape is the direct basis for the game design.
Geometry as a tool for combat and puzzles
Developer Sony Santa Monica is specifically utilizing the physical properties of a cube. Phranque Faye acts alongside a second companion, the talking swordsman Rue, during the game. Both characters serve as direct support for Faye.
The team uses the geometric shape to construct puzzle chains and movement options within the game world. An inanimate object is thus meant to provide mechanical utility while simultaneously forging an emotional connection. That is the narrative goal. Whether players will be able to directly control the cube remains unclear.
The community's skepticism is understandable, but it's too simplistic. Santa Monica Studio isn't breaking with the familiar aesthetic on a whim; rather, the cube-like structure is forcing fresh gameplay mechanics. Anyone expecting a purely narrative, old-school action-adventure needs to adjust their expectations.
https://youtu.be/s3wx-owwn1M?is=n1y72IyIdaKAJz9X
Interesting video; there's definitely an agenda behind it, not moral but monetary, which explains why we're seeing more and more female characters in Sony games.
God of Ambrosia
At least he's prettier than Kratos' wife.
The last few games were absolutely world-class, incredibly popular, and deservedly a commercial success. And now, because of a die, people in the comments are acting like Santa Monica is the worst studio ever. Grow up and ask yourselves if it's the die or the fact that you're not playing Kratos. Probably half of you are just being salty because you're sexist.
Do I find the die silly? Absolutely. That was probably the intention. But after being so captivated by the last two games, I'll look forward to this one, play it, and then form an opinion. And I'm willing to bet there will be a good explanation for this die in the story.
Everywhere you look, there are sexists who like Lara Croft, Bayonetta, 2B, Samus, and EVE.
Naturally, many want to play as the God of War in God of War; that's hardly surprising.
And then they force a "silly cube" on you. It's obvious that many people won't like that.
"Play it and form an opinion AFTERWARDS" – it would be better to form an opinion beforehand (e.g. through Let's Plays, if you are interested in the game), instead of financing questionable IP dilutions unseen.
The setting is entirely fantasy-oriented, very elaborate and high-quality production! A giant cat flies through the air (fantasy!), but the dice are just ridiculous! The constant complaining online these days is just unbelievable!
Some internet kid is spouting nonsense in their parents' basement, and way too many people are repeating it. Ugh/gag emoji…
Let me do a quick search. In Cherokee mythology, there's a large, puma-like, six-legged cat. The cat in the trailer, this Wampus cat, might be based on that.
Mythology, not fantasy. God of War never had anything to do with fantasy. If you find a gelatin cube somewhere in a mythology, then we can talk about it, otherwise it remains Californian nonsense.
Of course God of War is fantasy! Sure, the developers draw on Greek and Northern Irish mythology. But the story of Kratos is largely fictional… so, with a lot of imagination 😉
According to true mythology, he was a loyal servant of Zeus and not even a god of war! And now you come along and complain about the lack of accuracy?
The gameplay trailer absolutely killed it all week at SGF... but no, the cube... that's just unacceptable! These are games meant to be fun, nothing more.
Yes, if you want to put it that way, God of War belongs to the mythic fantasy genre. Although it tells a fictional story, it takes place within the framework of established mythologies. Existing characters, locations, etc., from various myths are used. This creates a defined boundary within which the fictional story unfolds.
This is not classic fantasy where you can do whatever you want.
Since all the other fantastical elements are based on different mythologies, the gelatin cube seems completely out of place in contrast.
"The gameplay trailer absolutely killed the whole SGF week" – hardly. Download the YouTube Dislike plugin for your browser and check out the different Laufey trailers.
What am I supposed to see there? The new God of War is still in development, but it already looked very good and smooth. The last two titles were primarily developed for the PS4, so there's definitely more potential here! I didn't see any other title during SGF Week that came close. So what's supposed to change my opinion?
You can twist it however you want… it's nonsense
A pudding cube and a talking tape… seriously? That's like Geode in Star Wars. The cheapest kind of "fantasy" ever.
Anyone who writes something like that can write anything. Yes, and I mean everyone who comments here, me, everyone… From now on, games can include talking tampons, NPCs in the form of a giant talking pretzel, etc.
In the next God of War, we might actually get a talking pretzel... or a pizza stick. Theoretically, that would even make sense. You could use the pretzel's geometry for puzzles, the pizza stick could be used as a weapon, almost like a spear, it could be used for high jumps, you could activate mechanisms or block doors before they close. Furthermore, it could help you in tight spots by allowing you to take a bite just before dying and get back on your feet. In the deluxe edition, there would be extra cheese on top and maybe more bacon bits, increasing the healing boost, making the stick hit harder, and generally, it would just be a new skin.
That would also help Sony, because they desperately need money after the (failed) Bungie purchase and all the failed live services.
Let's just hope Laufey has a spoon with her in the new Goddess of War movie so she can have a piece of pudding now and then; anything else would be pretty unfair <3
You should apply to Santa Monica immediately, they desperately need your talent 😅
A missed opportunity to turn "dangerous situations" into "precarious situations".
Quote from you... I was only... let's call it "irritated" by the pudding; otherwise, it looked very interesting, and I say that as a hardcore God of War fan whose heart Sony broke with God of War 2018 and Ragnarok.
At first you were just irritated, now it's a no-go for you and you're making fun of it. You're a prime example of a parrot.
Complaining is just your hobby…
And I forgot to get them milked….
😉
Just kidding… 🙂
I still don't want to believe it. I still maintain that it's a placeholder, placed there to generate attention, which then disappears in the deep dive, and in reality it's Kratos and you control both, or can switch between them. Why would Sony be so stupid as to put a die in the game?
"Why would Sony be so stupid…"
"Phranque"... lol
"Santa Monica Studio doesn't break with the usual aesthetic on a whim, but rather forces fresh gameplay mechanics through the cube shape."
Yes, of course – and I have a bridge if anyone wants to buy it.
The thing with the "phranque" is ridiculous too. It's just "frank".
The next NPC is called "freedolyn steenke mound".
or 'bea tee'
It's getting dumber and dumber... but hey, AAA 80 euro game <3
How about we call the pretzel Tony and spell it Toe-Knee?