Short answer
Valhalla adds emotional context for Kratos after Ragnarok, but it does not officially bridge straight into Laufey.
What it gives you
Valhalla works as a Kratos epilogue after Odin's fall and Atreus' departure. It helps explain where Kratos stands internally before any future story around his family moves forward.
What it does not give you
It does not officially explain the Everywhen, Laufey's awakening, or a direct route from Valhalla into the new plot.
Best reading
Use Valhalla if you want the strongest post-Ragnarok Kratos context. Keep it in the background until official material connects it more directly.
Should you play Valhalla first?
You do not need Valhalla to understand the confirmed Laufey premise. The new game begins with Faye after her funeral and explains its own Everywhen setup. Valhalla is most useful for players who want to follow Kratos' emotional state after Ragnarok and understand how he is learning to live with his past.
If Kratos appears in Laufey, that later version of him may carry the growth shown in Valhalla. For now, that is character context rather than a confirmed plot bridge.
Recommended order
For the clearest family story, play God of War (2018), Ragnarok, and then Valhalla. Players focused only on Laufey can begin with the 2018 game and use a Ragnarok recap before the new release.
Related pages
Sources
- PlayStation Blog: God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla DLC revealed, coming December 12
- PlayStation: God of War Ragnarok