The rumoured God of War spin-off set in the franchise’s original Greek mythology timeline has reportedly been delayed to 2026. According to veteran industry insider Jeff Grubb, the project still unannounced by Sony was initially targeting a 2025 launch, but has now been internally pushed back.

A New Kind of God of War

This mysterious project is said to mark a notable departure from the recent Norse saga. Rather than continuing the adventures of the older, more tempered Kratos, the game is expected to return to his earlier years closer to the ruthless Spartan warrior seen in the original trilogy. But the real twist? It may not even be a traditional God of War game at all.

Reports suggest that the title will embrace a 2.5D Metroidvania-style design, offering a more compact, side-scrolling experience. This experimental format could allow Santa Monica Studio and any partnering developers to explore more intimate, myth-driven stories perhaps centered on Kratos’ origin, or even another character entirely.

Deimos May Return

One of the most intriguing rumours attached to the project involves Deimos, Kratos’ long-lost brother. Fans will remember Deimos from God of War: Ghost of Sparta on the PSP, where his tragic backstory was revealed. His return could provide new emotional depth to the franchise, especially if the game explores his point of view or the brothers’ relationship before Kratos becomes the Ghost of Sparta.

This kind of focused narrative would fit well in a spin-off structure, giving long-time fans a fresh but familiar dive into the Greek mythos.

Why the Delay?

According to Grubb, the delay is internal and hasn’t been publicly acknowledged by Sony. It’s unclear whether the push to 2026 is due to development hurdles, resource allocation, or strategic planning.

However, delaying the game may be a smart move. The 2025 calendar is already stacked with high-profile PlayStation titles, including Death Stranding 2, Silent Hill 2 Remake, and Ghost of Tsushima 2 (tentatively titled Ghost of Yotei). Shifting the God of War spin-off to 2026 could ensure it gets the attention it deserves.

It’s also worth noting that Santa Monica Studio may be simultaneously preparing for a proper sequel to God of War: Ragnarok. If that’s the case, this spin-off could be serving as both a palate cleanser and an experimental side project while the studio ramps up for the next big mainline installment.

Still Unannounced But Highly Anticipated

Sony has not confirmed the existence of this game, let alone the delay. All current details stem from industry leaks and insider chatter. That said, the consistency of the reports plus the credibility of sources like Jeff Grubb has given fans plenty of reason to believe that a new Greek-era God of War title is indeed in development.

Whether it’s a tale of Deimos, a Metroidvania-style character study of young Kratos, or something entirely unexpected, this rumored project has the potential to expand the God of War universe in bold new ways.

For now, fans must wait for official word from Santa Monica Studio or Sony. But if the rumours hold true, Olympus is rising again in 2026.