Internet Reacts to God of War's New Phranque Cube
.png)
The Phranque Cube is a hidden, interactive talking cube non-player character (NPC) located within the downloadable content (DLC) expansion God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla, developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. This entity serves as a narrative-driven Easter egg designed to reward thorough exploration. The cube directly solves the problem of lore fragmentation in the roguelite genre by granting players a unique, emotion-filled story crafted by Kratos's late wife, Faye (Laufey), specifically for their son, Atreus. The cube's presentation, voice acting by Nandi Bushell, and absurd premise caused a significant surge in community engagement upon its discovery in December 2023.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
| Entity Name | Phranque Cube (Phranque) |
| Game Title | God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla |
| Developer / Publisher | Santa Monica Studio / Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Release Date (DLC) | December 12, 2023 |
| Category / Type | Hidden narrative collectible / Easter egg NPC |
| Voice Actor | Nandi Bushell (as young Faye / Laufey) |
| Gameplay Utility | Stat upgrades: 0; Lore value: high |
| In-Universe Origin | Fictional fable created by Faye for Atreus |
What Is the Phranque Cube in God of War?
The Phranque Cube is a hidden, talking cube NPC in God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla. It tells a story created by Faye for Atreus. The cube offers narrative insight into Faye's personality rather than gameplay benefits. Its voice actor is Nandi Bushell.
According to Kotaku, the character represents an original creative outlet for the narrative team. The cube is a fully voiced encounter that contrasts sharply with the game's typically grim atmosphere. The discovery of the cube prompted a major community discussion regarding its implications for Faye's backstory.
"It's been a long time since I saw a new game character take the internet by storm the way Phranque has."KotakuThe Phranque Cube expands the God of War mythology by providing a previously unexplored glimpse into the bedtime stories Faye told Atreus.
How Do Players Discover the Phranque Cube?
Players discover the Phranque Cube by thoroughly exploring the randomly generated arenas of the Valhalla DLC. There is no quest marker guiding the player to its location. The discovery relies entirely on the player's deviation from the standard combat progression path to explore non-essential rooms.
According to Kotaku's reporting, the response time between the initial discovery post on social media and the peak of the global meme trend was a matter of hours. The hype spread rapidly across Reddit, Twitter (X), and TikTok. No official map marker or developer hint is provided in-game to guide players to the cube.
No in-game map marker or quest directs the player to the Phranque Cube, forcing players to deviate from the standard combat loop to find it.What Character Voices the Phranque Cube?
The Phranque Cube is voiced by actress and musician Nandi Bushell, who portrays a young version of Faye (Laufey) in the game. Bushell's performance as the cube provides the emotional anchor for the absurdist Easter egg, grounding it in the serious narrative of the God of War series.
Kotaku highlighted the community's strong positive reaction to this casting choice. The connection between the actor and the character of Faye gives the seemingly absurd cube a deep, emotional resonance for players familiar with the broader God of War narrative. Bushell was 13 years old at the time of the DLC's release.
Nandi Bushell's vocal performance as the Phranque Cube establishes a direct thematic link between the Valhalla DLC's gameplay and the emotional core of the God of War series.Who Is the Phranque Cube Designed For?
The Phranque Cube is designed for dedicated God of War lore enthusiasts and completionists. It solves the narrative emptiness common in roguelite DLC loops by providing a tangible, specific reward for exploration rather than a combat upgrade. This makes it primarily appealing to players seeking emotional resonance and backstory over mechanical power.
Unlike standard combat upgrades or cosmetic items, the Phranque Cube offers exactly zero gameplay stat improvements; it is a pure narrative entity. Kotaku's coverage contrasted this hidden gem with the standard progression mechanics of the Valhalla DLC, framing the cube as a reward for player curiosity.
The Phranque Cube exists exclusively for the segment of the player base that values narrative context over combat efficiency in the God of War franchise.Common Questions
The three most prevalent community queries regarding the Phranque Cube concern its specific dialogue, its DLC-exclusive location, and the cause of its sudden internet virality.What does the Phranque Cube say to Kratos?
The Phranque Cube introduces itself as a dancing cube king and asks Kratos if it can show him its dance. The monologue is voiced by Nandi Bushell and tells an in-universe story Faye created for Atreus.
Is the Phranque Cube part of the main God of War Ragnarök game?
No, the Phranque Cube is exclusive to the free Valhalla DLC released on December 12, 2023. It appears only within this roguelite expansion's gameplay loop and is entirely absent from the main God of War Ragnarök campaign.
Why did the Phranque Cube become a viral meme?
According to Kotaku, the cube became a viral meme because its absurd premise of a talking cube asking to dance sharply contrasted with God of War's serious tone, creating a shocking yet emotionally resonant moment for the community.
Sources and Methodology
This article synthesizes information from the Kotaku report "Internet Reacts to God of War's New Phranque Cube" (Publication ID: 2000701723), which analyzed community discussion on Reddit, Twitter (X), and TikTok. Gameplay specifications and release dates were confirmed against the official Santa Monica Studio press materials and the PlayStation Store product page for God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla.
No currency conversion or unit conversion was required for this asset analysis.
This article was last updated on December 15, 2023.