The Buzz
Let's be real for a second: when Kratos first picked up the Leviathan Axe in 2018, the community collectively exhaled. It was a masterpiece, sure, but something felt... different. Gone were the days of spamming square, square, triangle into a wall of Gorgons. Instead, we got a measured, almost tactical Kratos. But now, with the reveal of Faye's combat style—especially in the Valhalla DLC and the broader narrative context—the OG God of War faithful are finally getting their due. The buzz isn't just nostalgia; it's a full-blown resurgence of the fast-paced, vertical, and brutally combo-heavy action that defined the original trilogy.
Why is this trending right now? Two words: mechanical fatigue. The community has been debating for months that the Norse saga, while narratively rich, lacks the raw, unflinching arcade energy of the Greek games. Faye's combat, as shown in the recent teases, is a direct challenge to that criticism. It's faster, more acrobatic, and rewards aggressive, unrelenting pressure. This isn't just a skin or a weapon swap—it's a philosophical return to form. The sentiment on forums like ResetEra and Reddit is electric, with many calling it the "true" God of War combat that the series needed.
From a competitive standpoint, this is huge. The OG God of War games were a staple of the speedrunning community due to their tight, responsive controls and gauntlet-like level design. Faye's combat brings back that arcade-style loop: clear a room, get a reward, move on. No long walks with Atreus, no slow puzzles. Just pure, distilled action. This is the kind of content that makes viewers lean in and say, "I want to try that."
Gameplay Breakdown
Let's get into the nitty-gritty. Faye's combat, as seen in the Valhalla DLC and the narrative flashbacks, is built on three pillars: mobility, aggression, and verticality. Unlike Kratos' Norse moveset, which relies heavily on wind-up and heavy hits, Faye's style is about chaining light attacks into aerial combos and using the environment as a weapon. Think of it as a hybrid between the original God of War's Blades of Chaos and the nimble, kick-based moves from games like DMC.
The frame data is telling. Faye's light attacks come out in roughly 7-8 frames—significantly faster than Kratos' standard axe swing at 12 frames. This allows for quick stagger locks on weaker enemies, a staple of the OG GoW crowd control. Her heavy attacks, while slower, launch enemies into the air, setting up for juggle combos that can be extended with her special ability: a chain-grab that mimics the classic "Grab and Smash" from God of War II. The recovery frames on her aerial attacks are also noticeably shorter, meaning you can chain multiple air combos without touching the ground—a direct callback to the Icarus Wings mechanics.
But here's where it gets interesting: the economy of rage. In the Norse saga, rage was a resource for a super mode. In Faye's combat, rage is built by maintaining a combo meter, similar to the "Style" meter in Devil May Cry. Hitting SSS rank not only increases damage but unlocks a unique finisher: a cinematic, over-the-top execution that pulls directly from the original trilogy's finishing moves. This is a clever design choice that rewards aggressive play and punishes defensive, turtling strategies.
From a level design perspective, Faye's combat shines in closed arenas with vertical elements—ledges, pillars, and breakable floors. This is a direct nod to the original games' "room-to-room" structure, where each encounter was a self-contained puzzle of positioning and crowd management. The community has been quick to note that this style of combat feels less "cinematic" but more "gamey"—and that's exactly what the OG fans wanted.
For Content Creators
If you're a creator looking to ride this wave, you need to act fast. The trend is hot now, but the window for virality is narrow. Here's the playbook:
1. **Comparison Videos**: The low-hanging fruit. Create a side-by-side of Kratos' Norse combat vs. Faye's OG-inspired moves. Show the frame data, the combo potential, and the feel. Use tags like "#OGGodOfWar" and "#FayeCombat". This is SEO gold because the search volume for "God of War combat comparison" is spiking.
2. **Challenge Runs**: The speedrunning community is already theorycrafting. Do a "No Damage" run using only Faye's moveset. Or a "Style Only" run where you must maintain an S-rank combo throughout a boss fight. These are highly watchable and shareable, especially on YouTube Shorts and TikTok.
3. **Deep Dive Analysis**: Your audience wants to understand the *why*. Why does this combat feel different? Break down the mechanics, the frame data, the design philosophy. Use tools like frame-by-frame analysis in your editing software. This positions you as an expert and drives long-form watch time.
4. **Nostalgia Reacts**: React to the original God of War games and compare them to Faye's combat. This taps into the emotional connection older gamers have with the series. Mention specific moments like the "Pandora's Temple" or "Climbing the Titans" to trigger nostalgia.
5. **Tutorial Content**: Teach players how to execute Faye's advanced combos. The community is hungry for guides. Use clear, step-by-step instructions with on-screen inputs. This is evergreen content that will keep bringing views.
The Meta Analysis
From a competitive and balance perspective, Faye's combat is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's a breath of fresh air that revitalizes the series' identity. On the other, it creates a potential schism in the player base. The Norse saga fans who love the slower, more tactical approach may feel alienated. But here's the truth: the OG combat style is inherently more replayable. The high skill ceiling, the combo depth, and the arcade loop make it ideal for speedrunning and challenge runs.
Balance considerations are crucial. In the Valhalla DLC, Faye's combat is tuned for a specific difficulty curve. It's harder to learn but more rewarding to master. The enemy AI in the DLC is also adjusted to be more aggressive, forcing players to use the mobility and aerial options. This is a smart design choice that prevents the combat from feeling too easy or spammy.
Longevity-wise, this trend has legs. The modding community is already working on porting Faye's moveset into the base game, and there's talk of a potential standalone "OG Mode" patch. If Santa Monica Studio leans into this, we could see a full-fledged remaster or a new title that fully embraces the hybrid style. The community's appetite is clear: they want the best of both worlds.
Pro Tips & Strategies
Alright, let's get into the advanced stuff. If you want to dominate with Faye's combat, here's what you need to know:
- **Master the Aerial Juggle**: The key to high damage is keeping enemies in the air. Use light attacks to launch, then follow up with a heavy attack to keep them airborne. Practice the timing—it's tight, but once you get it, you can chain up to 8 hits before they hit the ground.
- **Use the Environment**: Breakable pillars and ledges are your best friend. Use them to stagger groups of enemies, then follow up with a chain-grab. This is straight out of the OG GoW playbook.
- **Rage Management**: Don't use rage as a panic button. Build your combo meter to SSS rank first, then activate rage for a massive damage boost and a free finisher. This optimizes your DPS.
- **Parry Timing**: Faye's parry window is tighter than Kratos'—only 6 frames. But the reward is a guaranteed launch that sets up your aerial combo. Practice against the Valkyries in the DLC to get the timing down.
- **Hidden Mechanic: Chain Cancel**: If you time a dodge immediately after a heavy attack, you can cancel the recovery animation and chain into another heavy. This is a frame-perfect technique that allows for infinite combos. It's tricky, but it's the mark of a true OG player.
Should You Play This?
Absolutely, but with a caveat. If you're a casual player who loves the story and exploration of the Norse saga, Faye's combat might feel too intense. It's fast, punishing, and requires practice. But if you're a competitive player, a speedrunner, or someone who misses the raw, unapologetic action of the Greek era, this is a must-play. It's the best of both worlds: the narrative depth of the new games with the mechanical purity of the old ones. Dive in, learn the combos, and remember—square, square, triangle never gets old.
