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[Draxon Gamer]

They are overrated, especially God of War Ragnarok. Tragically, you are mentioning this on a site that simps for Sony to the point of absurdity.

Or maybe people like good games and have an opinion different than you?

 

[GHG]

You can feel free to check my trophies.

But do you care to expound at all? Which aspect of my statement is false? How so?

The game isn't linear for a start, the colour of climbable objects isn't yellow, the puzzles aren't just "figure out the order of 3 symbols". Did you only play for the first hour or did you simply watch half an hour of someone else's playthrough on Youtube? Which is it? If it's neither then fine, lets have an honest discussion about this, but that would require you stop being reductive to the point where it makes your points seem illegitimate.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Well then we are fans of the series for different reason. Ive been through these arguments with DMC, Ninja Gaiden and Bayonetta fans who trash GOW 1-3 and even the latest GOWs as wanna be action games. Couldnt care less. GOW to me did setpieces better than any other franchise and its why that series was so beloved. That and kratos' brutality. Both of which were nerfed in Ragnorak.

There are tons of "set pieces" in GOW:R. The ending, as disappointing as you claim it is, has more epicness than anything in the series.

 

[3liteDragon]

Once you are fully upgraded and you are playing as Kratos and doing challenges, there is absolutely solid fun gameplay there, but there is also a lot of shite. The berserkers for the most part or terrible. Don't get me started on the poison one that is a sheer example of how the combat just falls apart with multiple enemies. That fight is embarrassingly bad.

Sounds like a skill issue to me.

I think all the empathy tab guys and others should show their trophy lists, test the theory...how many of them have completed it, how much time did they spend? were they really invested in the game? It would be interesting to see.

61h 21m to 100% the entire game & platinum it on balanced difficulty, both are excellent titles & the sequel while having a few flaws like the short Ragnarok fight & the badly paced Ironwood section, is better than 2018 in pretty much every other way, one of the best titles I've played.

Now let's see your overall in-game progress.

 

[Hestar69]

they are great games but I dunno if I'd call them masterpieces like some people have.

I had it #3 on best games list last year (Elden Ring,stray,GOW,Infernax were the top 4)

Kinda let down by how the game ended and that one part that WENT ON FOR TOO LONG.. But I enjoyed them after HATING the first game for so many years and finally beating it last year before GOWR

 

[Yoboman]

You can feel free to check my trophies.

But do you care to expound at all? Which aspect of my statement is false? How so?

Well somebody already answered. First the implication that the combat requires no engagement with deeper mechanics either speaks to somebody who played on the easiest setting or not at all

Describing it as linear is clearly false to anybody who has played more than the first hour of 2018

 

[SSfox]

Oh no another pennywise clone

Why people that don't like a game that other people with taste love, feel the need to create shitty topics like this? Get a life bruh

GOW is epic franchise, if you don't like then move on and go play your FIfa, COD and cie

 

[Mr Branding]

Lol no. The combat in the Norse saga is far better than anything the games did previously by a large margin. It just needed more of it.

 

[Cashon]

The game isn't linear for a start, the colour of climbable objects isn't yellow, the puzzles aren't just "figure out the order of 3 symbols". Did you only play for the first hour or did you simply watch half an hour of someone else's playthrough on Youtube? Which is it? If it's neither then fine, lets have an honest discussion about this, but that would require you stop being reductive to the point where it makes your points seem illegitimate.

The white/yellow thing is an easily understandable mistake, if you aren't insistent on being argumentative without making a good argument. Both Horizon and the latest Resident Evil games use yellow. Either way, it serves the same purpose; guide casual players where you want them to go so that they don't have to think and they can't get lost or fail.

The three symbols part is certainly reductive. However, can you honestly say that the puzzles ever become any more difficult or challenging?

The game is absolutely linear. Folks seem to like to use the term "wide-linear" for this type of game, due to the hub, but from that hub, each path that you can take is still quite linear, hence the latter part of that term.

You are allowed to like the game and still admit that it has obvious flaws.

 

[Cashon]

Well somebody already answered. First the implication that the combat requires no engagement with deeper mechanics either speaks to somebody who played on the easiest setting or not at all

Describing it as linear is clearly false to anybody who has played more than the first hour of 2018

In what way is the game anything more than, at most, "wide-linear?" It's has a hub section, that has a few different directions in which you can go. And once you go in those directions, it's pretty much just walking through very determined paths to either get to secrets or to get to the objective. Paths that are literally either walls on both sides, rocks, or trees that Kratos would easily just walk through it the game didn't have to be so limited for the sake of graphics.

 

[FullMetalx117]

Agreed, I enjoyed God of War 1-3. The last 2 story lines didn’t feel like god of war

Both naughty dog and Santa Monica assumed their fan base grew up, had children, and decided to make storylines they thought relatable

 

[The Cockatrice]

The game isn't linear for a start, the colour of climbable objects isn't yellow, the puzzles aren't just "figure out the order of 3 symbols". Did you only play for the first hour or did you simply watch half an hour of someone else's playthrough on Youtube? Which is it? If it's neither then fine, lets have an honest discussion about this, but that would require you stop being reductive to the point where it makes your points seem illegitimate.

To be fair, the game does annoyingly tell you what to do for every puzzle section. No idea if they fixed it but the game treated me as if I was a moron.

 

[Justin9mm]

OMG I completely forgot I had one of those terminator hands when I was a kid!

 

[GHG]

The white/yellow thing is an easily understandable mistake, if you aren't insistent on being argumentative without making a good argument. Both Horizon and the latest Resident Evil games use yellow. Either way, it serves the same purpose; guide casual players where you want them to go so that they don't have to think and they can't get lost or fail.

The three symbols part is certainly reductive. However, can you honestly say that the puzzles ever become any more difficult or challenging?

The game is absolutely linear. Folks seem to like to use the term "wide-linear" for this type of game, due to the hub, but from that hub, each path that you can take is still quite linear, hence the latter part of that term.

You are allowed to like the game and still admit that it has obvious flaws.

The only way it's "linear" is if you rush through the main story and ignore all of the side areas and mertroidvania elements the game offers. In order to get all the runes and tools that will allow you to expand on your combat options you need to explore and later revisit some areas. There are also plenty of more open areas that the game offers scattered across the map and various realms.

Also don't know why you're asking me if the puzzles get more challenging than "the order of three symbols", you're supposed to have played it have you not? You tell me. Like I said, I'm giving you the opportunity to have an honest discussion about this but it's becoming clear you've either not actually played the game or you didn't get very far.

To be fair, the game does annoyingly tell you what to do for every puzzle section. No idea if they fixed it but the game treated me as if I was a moron.

In Ragnorak that was actually one of my gripes, I have no idea if they later patched in an option to turn the hints off but they really ought to have.

 

[Yoboman]

In what way is the game anything more than, at most, "wide-linear?" It's has a hub section, that has a few different directions in which you can go. And once you go in those directions, it's pretty much just walking through very determined paths to either get to secrets or to get to the objective. Paths that are literally either walls on both sides, rocks, or trees that Kratos would easily just walk through it the game didn't have to be so limited for the sake of graphics.

How intellectually dishonest. Not only does it have a hub in which you can tackle in any order, which is completely non linear by nature, that hub itself is open to changes in environment which open up Metroidvanias elements and realm changes which opens up even more non linear aspects.

Having walled off areas doesn't make a game linear. That is structured level design. It is designed in that way because you solve puzzles to progress through the level design elements, instead of just hitting jump. Is Dark Souls linear because you can't jump over fences?

 

[DenchDeckard]

Same goes for all the people claiming it's so terrible, egging on bad takes and even giving gold to the OP to try and make this thread highlighted in a dire time of need.

It's basically amounting to "you see those games that are so successful and so many people love - please don't like them".

Meanwhile those same people are going to sit there with a straight face and signal boost crappy/derivative/generic upcoming GAAS co-op games. It's sad.

I don't think people understand that users have varied tastes and expectations from games, and the mood they are in when they play them. When GoW came out I was ready for my Kratos action. I never asked for weakly designed Loki sections, tons of padding and just as the game is getting great, constantly forcing you to be a character you don't want to be "in the name of story" in forced poor gameplay sections. This is a game, not a movie...something these developers have clearly forgotten.

That's why people can be excited and ready to play a co op gaas game with their buddies, becuase I've just completed xenoblade 1 plus 2 torna, playing apex, played resi 4 3 times, just completed Norco...so I'm excited to play a 4 player co op game with my buddies while I refresh my game time to play xenoblade 3 etc. It's not some weird virtue signal or some strange shit you sony guys say whenever an xbox fan is looking forward to a game on a different platform than playstation.

Kratos is great from a gameplay perspective, combat is less than desired for an action game. You, i expect over many should know this. Its serviceable and fun but falls apart with multiple enemies and constant chatter from partners ruins combat and especially puzzles...what is the reward for playing this game?, of you are constantly reminded how useless SOME people are at playing games nowadays and you aren't given time to work the game out.

Its insulting, and not well designed. It has great visuals and obviously 100s of millions of dollars thrown at it...but what does that amount to...an ultimately completely forgettable game that many people would not want to play through multiple times....a massive flaw in an action game.

i guess you completed it, did you beat the berserkers...what are your thoughts on those with multiple enemies? Do you think the combat holds up?

Sounds like a skill issue to me.

61h 21m to 100% the entire game & platinum it on balanced difficulty, both are excellent titles & the sequel while having a few flaws like the short Ragnarok fight & the badly paced Ironwood section, is better than 2018 in pretty much every other way, one of the best titles I've played.

Now let's see your overall in-game progress.

Yup, I got that plat too. I have pretty good skill, not impeccable but I feel you are being dishonest by just posting "skill issue" what we're your honest thoughts on the poison berserker, you had no issue?

What we're your tactics? Did your partners constantly shout, behind you, to the left, right kratos, etc etc. I'd love to see a recording of you defeating him but that's probably too much to ask. How many attempts did it take you to beat some of the berserker with multiple enemies? Did you never feel cheated in a death? Did you save them for the end game?

I played them as I came across them and used my skill to defeat them when I could, I would attempt multiple times until I was more or less untouchable...when possible, not getting hit by bullshit...just throw enemies at them tactics.

All the Valkerys in 2018 felt like skill, you learnt the tells and the moves etc and by the end you could beat them without being touched...many of the solo berserker were like this, but due to their lesser move sets they would be too easy, so they just throw 3 at you, or how about a shit load of little potion adds and those flying fuckers while poison is about.

I've been playing action games for years and so have many of my friends and all of us sat down and said...what do you think to that fight...."bullshit" and highlighted the poor arena combat.

When enemies are in front of you or are visually viewable combat Is decent, those tint small,arenas with a handful of enemies is where it just falls apart....it does. Simple.

 

[Crayon]

I didn't like the old ones. I haven't played the latest one but i thought the 2018 one was far better than the old ones. The gameplay in particular is way better. The old ones had sloppy beatemup fighting. 2018 actually had a unique feel and generally plays better. I also prefer old sad kratos to young perma-boner kratos.

 

[Drizzlehell]

The game isn't linear for a start, the colour of climbable objects isn't yellow, the puzzles aren't just "figure out the order of 3 symbols". Did you only play for the first hour or did you simply watch half an hour of someone else's playthrough on Youtube? Which is it? If it's neither then fine, lets have an honest discussion about this, but that would require you stop being reductive to the point where it makes your points seem illegitimate.

Tbh if you were to quiz me I'd also say that Ragnarok had yellow ledges for climbing, and I finished that game all the way through. Only goes to show how homogenized these tropes are becoming between various games that follow this formula. They all start to blend together in my mind like all those Ubisoft games.

 

[DenchDeckard]

Tbh if you were to quiz me I'd also say that Ragnarok had yellow ledges for climbing, and I finished that game all the way through. Only goes to show how homogenized these tropes are becoming between various games that follow this formula. They all start to blend together in my mind like all those Ubisoft games.

I think some bits were yellow. Mostly white but with yellow as well? like the bits you could throw your blades into?

Maybe i'm totally wrong, and I platinumed it..

 

[Generic]

Nope they are fantastic games.

I would argue that the original GOW games overrated.
You say they put the gameplay first.... except the gameplay is a dumbed down combat engine featuring imprecise combat, a dodge that literally lacks iframes, and bad alternative weapons, not to mention annoying QTEs.

Modern GOW has far better gameplay than classic GOW.

"a dodge that literally lacks iframes"

How is this a bad thing? I'm tired of action games where the character can dodge explosions.

 

[Drizzlehell]

"a dodge that literally lacks iframes"

How is this a bad thing? I'm tired of action games where the character can dodge explosions.

Yeah, that sounds like some soy shit to me. Combat in the original games was badass and required you to be really in touch with its mechanics. It's laughable whenever someone calls it a button masher because it's clear that whoever says this never played those games on a difficulty level higher than normal. I mean, it's no Devil May Cry in terms of how technical it is, but it definitely requires a great deal of mastery as well. It always amazed me how tightly designed and focused those games are, and the enemy variety simply blows the reboot out of the water.

If anything, it's those new games that are button mashers because that's literally all you can do in order to chip away those gigantic fucking health bars - mash R1+R2 and hit the magic button every 60 seconds once your runes recharge. It's such a tedious system and there's barely any strategy to it. Just wave your swords around until everything is dead, no need to prioritize any specific enemy types or manage your resources in any way.

But oh well, what can you do. Seems like there always be a percentage of players who will bitch about something that's a bit more technical. The same thing happened when Doom Eternal came out and it turned out to be one of the most exhilarating shooters in years, but then many people complained about the fact that they don't have enough bullets in their machine guns and that punching things doesn't do anything, therefore the game sucks.

 

[Shut0wen]

Love the series but they should of left the series after 3, ascension was meh but the new reboot imo are boring af, i dont mind cinematic games but ny biggest beef with both reboots is the combat, its repetitive and boring, never understood why they get praised to the high heavens other then for a reboot its pretty bold

 

[Griffon]

Both Greek and Norse series are mid.

 

[Lokaum D+]

This pretty much sums up what I think about GOW 2018 and modern take on GOW in general:



I haven't bought Ragnarok and haven't played it. I know it's better somewhat, but also even worse and very simmilar to 2018 in some aspects. I'm considering trade in a few games to get it, but it's far from being on the top of my priority list right now.

i would pay full price for trilogy remake ( not remaster ) any day of the week

 

[Sanepar]

Both games have bad pace.

 

[ungalo]

I played 2018 GoW (not in optimal conditions), i think i hated almost every design choice in this game. I still respect the work put into it but i really despise it at the same time it's hard to explain.

It's not even so much about the old God of War even though obviously when you compare them head to head what's wrong with 2018 is really caused by our current approach of games.

Same for the writing in general although i think Kratos was still well written (and well interpreted in french) but the other characters really sucked.

When i buy a Playstation there are several games i want to give a try but i won't even try Ragnarok that's for sure.

 

[Agent_4Seven]

i would pay full price for trilogy remake ( not remaster ) any day of the week

Same here, although PS4 version of GOWIII looks stunning still all the way through, minus some character models.

 

[Cashon]

The only way it's "linear" is if you rush through the main story and ignore all of the side areas and mertroidvania elements the game offers. In order to get all the runes and tools that will allow you to expand on your combat options you need to explore and later revisit some areas. There are also plenty of more open areas that the game offers scattered across the map and various realms.

Also don't know why you're asking me if the puzzles get more challenging than "the order of three symbols", you're supposed to have played it have you not? You tell me. Like I said, I'm giving you the opportunity to have an honest discussion about this but it's becoming clear you've either not actually played the game or you didn't get very far.

I love a decently-designed Metroidvania. It's one of my favorite genres. Yet I felt zero desire to explore more of God of War beyond the credits because I *didn't have fun* with the main game. If you check my trophies, you can see that I tried playing this game three different times before slogging through it for my girlfriend, who liked the pretty visuals and Marvel-like story. Why in the world would I force myself to play even more of a game for which I didn't enjoy the main campaign?

So, since you're insistent on pretending that the optional late/post-game content of a game has greater bearing on the quality a game than the main portion, I'll say this:

*The main campaign* of God of War is overrated.
It's a very good-looking game, and has some great acting. Some aspects of the story are good, but overall I think it's very basic and meant to appeal to the basest emotions of parents who won't put to much thought into its inconsistencies. Certain one-on-one combat moments, like the one Valkyrie that I fought, can be pretty fun.
But mostly it's boring, basic, and bloated. The combat encounters are poorly designed, the traversal is designed to be completed by monkeys, the "ludo-narative dissonance" is through the roof because they wanted to keep the cinematic presentation during gameplay, and yes, it is very linear once you pick any direction from the hub.

 

[GHG]

I love a decently-designed Metroidvania. It's one of my favorite genres. Yet I felt zero desire to explore more of God of War beyond the credits because I *didn't have fun* with the main game. If you check my trophies, you can see that I tried playing this game three different times before slogging through it for my girlfriend, who liked the pretty visuals and Marvel-like story. Why in the world would I force myself to play even more of a game for which I didn't enjoy the main campaign?

So, since you're insistent on pretending that the optional late/post-game content of a game has greater bearing on the quality a game than the main portion, I'll say this:

*The main campaign* of God of War is overrated.
It's a very good-looking game, and has some great acting. Some aspects of the story are good, but overall I think it's very basic and meant to appeal to the basest emotions of parents who won't put to much thought into its inconsistencies. Certain one-on-one combat moments, like the one Valkyrie that I fought, can be pretty fun.
But mostly it's boring, basic, and bloated. The combat encounters are poorly designed, the traversal is designed to be completed by monkeys, the "ludo-narative dissonance" is through the roof because they wanted to keep the cinematic presentation during gameplay, and yes, it is very linear once you pick any direction from the hub.

Here's the thing, I'm not talking about anything late game or post credits.

Within the first 2 hours of the game you are free to explore and you will come across areas that are inaccessible until you get certain abilities, you will encounter enemies that you will have a tough time defeating until you reach a certain level (or have certain abilities), you will come across chests that you can't open until you get certain abilities and you will find treasure maps that will lead you to places that can't be accessed until you have certain abilities. All it takes is for you to not beeline the main quest in order to come across this stuff.

The more you talk the less convinced I am that you've actually played this game, let alone 3 times. If you dislike something why would you play it 3 times and then having done so still struggle to accurately recall even some of the most basic mechanics/experiences that the game has to offer?

 

[Drizzlehell]

Here's the thing, I'm not talking about anything late game or post credits.

Within the first 2 hours of the game you are free to explore and you will come across areas that are inaccessible until you get certain abilities, you will encounter enemies that you will have a tough time defeating until you reach a certain level (or have certain abilities), you will come across chests that you can't open until you get certain abilities and you will find treasure maps that will lead you to places that can't be accessed until you have certain abilities. All it takes is for you to not beeline the main quest in order to come across this stuff.

The more you talk the less convinced I am that you've actually played this game, let alone 3 times. If you dislike something why would you play it 3 times and then having done so still struggle to accurately recall even some of the most basic mechanics/experiences that the game has to offer?

He didn't say that the game is lacking any of those things. He's just saying that the inclusion of these elements didn't do anything for him because he didn't connect with the main story and the gameplay was pish.

 

[GHG]

He didn't say that the game is lacking any of those things. He's just saying that the inclusion of these elements didn't do anything for him because he didn't connect with the main story and the gameplay was pish.

I was very specific about what I was responding to, it's in the very first sentence.

 

[Ev1L AuRoN]

There is absolutely no way to please everyone, I love the original series, but for me at least, it got stale. I love the new saga, and I find it as good as the original, they are different, yes, but in their own right the games stand on their own merits.

 

[Cashon]

Here's the thing, I'm not talking about anything late game or post credits.

Within the first 2 hours of the game you are free to explore and you will come across areas that are inaccessible until you get certain abilities, you will encounter enemies that you will have a tough time defeating until you reach a certain level (or have certain abilities), you will come across chests that you can't open until you get certain abilities and you will find treasure maps that will lead you to places that can't be accessed until you have certain abilities. All it takes is for you to not beeline the main quest in order to come across this stuff.

The more you talk the less convinced I am that you've actually played this game, let alone 3 times. If you dislike something why would you play it 3 times and then having done so still struggle to accurately recall even some of the most basic mechanics/experiences that the game has to offer?

I'll say it until you do it, but you can check my trophies.

You're ignoring the majority of my argument to try and nitpick what you perceive to be holes, while also freely ignoring the opportunity to check my trophies to see if your notion is correct. It's poor argumentation, based on being overly emotional.

I'm aware of the sections to which you're referencing, such as the cave below Freya's turtle.

Why do you suppose no one refers to God of War being one of the greatest Metroidvania games? Maybe it has something to do with the lack of feeling like one? Having an element of Metroidvania doesn't change any of my criticisms.

I think it's pretty clear that you have an irrational and emotional connection to this game, and to Sony as well, so I'll just assume that you're too immature to speak objectively about games in general. It'll be interesting to see if you mature in your cognitive reasoning over the time that I'm on this site.

 

[Drizzlehell]

I was very specific about what I was responding to, it's in the very first sentence.

It doesn't address the point that he was making, though.

 

[jcorb]

I'm sort of torn.

I really don't like the new God of War games (I think the loot system was detrimental to it, imo), but I can respect the idea of taking the franchise in a different direction. It's clearly done well, and it seems like they've done some interesting stuff with the character of Kratos.

But I also feel like it kind of sucks to be a fan of the originals, and now A) you're not getting any more of that particular breed of Action game (which they were absolute masters of), and B) I still find Ancient Greek mythology to be super interesting (though I also dig Norse mythology, so points to the new games there).

I'm not sure I'd call them "overrated", since they're clearly well-crafted games. But they just aren't quite my jam.

 

[GHG]

I'll say it until you do it, but you can check my trophies.

You're ignoring the majority of my argument to try and nitpick what you perceive to be holes, while also freely ignoring the opportunity to check my trophies to see if your notion is correct. It's poor argumentation, based on being overly emotional.

I'm aware of the sections to which you're referencing, such as the cave below Freya's turtle.

Why do you suppose no one refers to God of War being one of the greatest Metroidvania games? Maybe it has something to do with the lack of feeling like one? Having an element of Metroidvania doesn't change any of my criticisms.

I think it's pretty clear that you have an irrational and emotional connection to this game, and to Sony as well, so I'll just assume that you're too immature to speak objectively about games in general. It'll be interesting to see if you mature in your cognitive reasoning over the time that I'm on this site.

Ah getting personal already are we? Maybe you're not so new afterall.

And no, im not referring to the area below Freya's. I'm referring to the lake of the nine, I'm referring to optional side areas like Veithurgard.

You keep saying check your trophies so let's do just that:

It's all right there, you beelined the main quest, no side activities completed, no exploration. And because of that you won't have got any of the optional upgrades which expand on your exploration and combat abilities.

You want to talk about "what most players do", well you're not even doing that in several cases.

To make matters worse you had the gall to say this before:

It feels like it was made for idiots, by way of a Marvel Studios executive.

Which explains why it's so popular; people are idiots.

Oops.

It doesn't address the point that he was making, though.

He doesn't have a point. You can't just rush through as many games as possible in life and then attack others as if you're some sophisticated gamer while everyone else are unworthy casuals. How can you accurately judge a game when you're not even taking the time to use and explore the mechanics/tools it offers?

It would be like playing sonic, not jumping, not doing anything else and then saying "it sucks, I just held right".

 

[Drizzlehell]

He doesn't have a point. You can't just rush through as many games as possible in life and then attack others as if you're some sophisticated gamer while everyone else are unworthy casuals. How can you accurately judge a game when you're not even taking the time to explore the mechanics it offers?

In the same way that I don't have to eat an entire plate of boiled chicken livers with mashed potatoes to be able to tell that it's repugnant and I hate it.

 

[GHG]

In the same way that I don't have to eat an entire plate of boiled chicken livers with mashed potatoes to be able to tell that it's repugnant and I hate it.

Then that's based on personal preference and not necessarily the quality of the product. Which is why it's important to only play the types of games you enjoy, even if that means you might miss out on some high profile releases.

I also hate chicken livers, so therefore I'm not going to order them even if they might be on offer at a 3 michelin star restaurant, even if everyone else is ordering it. I'm not going to go there, have the chicken livers and then write a review saying that even though those are supposed to be the best chicken livers in the world I still hate chicken livers and that people who like chicken livers are wrong.

 

[Drizzlehell]

Then that's based on personal preference and not necessarily the quality of the product.

Sure, but isn't that what we're discussing when posting in threads like these? Don't know about you but when I read someone's post where they say what they thought about the game, I'm pretty sure that they're not trying to rewrite a Wikipedia page about it, and they're merely passing their own opinion that's based on personal experience and tastes.

 

[Cashon]

Ah getting personal already are we? Maybe you're not so new afterall.

And no, im not referring to the area below Freya's. I'm referring to the lake of the nine, I'm referring to optional side areas like Veithurgard.

You keep saying check your trophies so let's do just that:

It's all right there, you beelined the main quest, no side activities completed, no exploration. And because of that you won't have got any of the optional upgrades which expand on your exploration and combat abilities.

You want to talk about "what most players do", well you're not even doing that in several cases.

You've moved the goalposts. Is it that I definitely haven't finished the game or is it that I didn't complete it 100%?

I didn't finish the extra content because the main game wasn't fun. If your core gameplay cannot convince me to explore the side-content, why would I do more than necessary to finish the game? I did some portions of side content, fought a Valkyrie, and even started to explore Niflheim before deciding that I was done with it.

Personally, I will often try a game multiple times if I don't like it the first time. Sometimes I'm just not in the right mood for a certain style of gameplay (Prey 2017, for example, also took me three tries to get into, but I actually enjoyed that one the third time). For God of War 2018, I only finished it on my third attempt at the behest of my girlfriend, who, again, really enjoyed the pretty visuals and Marvel-type story. I would've stopped around halfway through it she hadn't urged me to finish it.

So, again, with the core gameplay and story being so mediocre (visuals/audio excepted) to me, why would I bother exploring the optional content?

And how does that negate my opinion on the core concepts that the game offers?

Is your argument that the base game is indeed overrated, but that the optional content is what makes it one of the best games of all time?

Additionally, if you look at the trophies stats of all players (via the actual PlayStation) you'll find that most also stuck to the campaign.

Which goes back to my earlier argument; most people liked the visuals and story. Because the gameplay is lacking.

 

[GHG]

You've moved the goalposts. Is it that I definitely haven't finished the game or is it that I didn't complete it 100%?

I didn't finish the extra content because the main game wasn't fun. If your core gameplay cannot convince me to explore the side-content, why would I do more than necessary to finish the game? I did some portions of side content, fought a Valkyrie, and even started to explore Niflheim before deciding that I was done with it.

Personally, I will often try a game multiple times if I don't like it the first time. Sometimes I'm just not in the right mood for a certain style of gameplay (Prey 2017, for example, also took me three tries to get into, but I actually enjoyed that one the third time). For God of War 2018, I only finished it on my third attempt at the behest of my girlfriend, who, again, really enjoyed the pretty visuals and Marvel-type story. I would've stopped around halfway through it she hadn't urged me to finish it.

So, again, with the core gameplay and story being so mediocre (visuals/audio excepted) to me, why would I bother exploring the optional content?

And how does that negate my opinion on the core concepts that the game offers?

Is your argument that the base game is indeed overrated, but that the optional content is what makes it one of the best games of all time?

Additionally, if you look at the trophies stats of all players (via the actual PlayStation) you'll find that most also stuck to the campaign.

Which goes back to my earlier argument; most people liked the visuals and story. Because the gameplay is lacking.

You told me to check your trophy data so I did, not sure how that's moving goalposts when I'm simply doing what you requested. Now your "opinions" make sense, it's all good. My wife likes The Sims but I'd sooner tell her to suck dick than have to suffer playing through something I know I'll hate.

At the very least I'd hope that if someone is going to form what is a strong opinion on something (which further implies people who think differently are of lesser intellect) then they would at least do the due dillegence of thoroughly examining the content they are judging. The side content is obvious within the first couple of hours, I'd say that you'd actually have to go out of your way to not explore anything considering the fact that you're forced past certain islands/areas when traversing to the areas the progress the main story.

Also if it took you 3 tries to get into Prey 2017 we really aren't the same people. Not going to see eye to eye with everyone.

 

[Cashon]

You told me to check your trophy data so I did, not sure how that's moving goalposts when I'm simply doing what you requested. Now your "opinions" make sense, it's all good. My wife likes The Sims but I'd sooner tell her to suck dick than have to suffer playing through something I know I'll hate.

At the very least I'd hope that if someone is going to form what is a strong opinion on something (which further implies people who think differently are of lesser intellect) then they would at least do the due dillegence of thoroughly examining the content they are judging. The side content is obvious within the first couple of hours, I'd say that you'd actually have to go out of your way to not explore anything considering the fact that you're forced past certain islands/areas when traversing to the areas the progress the main story.

Also if it took you 3 tries to get into Prey 2017 we really aren't the same people. Not going to see eye to eye with everyone.

Your wife likes playing The Sims. My girlfriend had no interest in playing God of War herself. She just wanted to watch me play it. We have a good relationship and consider that sort of thing to be what's known as Quality Time.

As someone capable of objectivity, I can say that finishing God of War, as a means of having some nice, casual, indoors quality time with my girlfriend, was time well spent.

Nothing you've said actually counters my criticisms with the have or the notion that the core gameplay and story are overrated. Overrated meaning that most people who rate it, rate it too highly. I've put forth the reasons why I think that is overrated, with which you've disagreed, but you haven't actually provided any sound arguments for why it's not overrated. You've basically stated that it's rated appropriately only because of the optional content. You've also ignored the fact that I did explore side content; I simply chose not to complete it.

 

[sankt-Antonio]

There are tons of "set pieces" in GOW:R. The ending, as disappointing as you claim it is, has more epicness than anything in the series.

What? First 10min of GoW3 are more epic than all of Gow2018+Ragnarok combined. I think its agreed upon that 2018/Ragnarok feature a more personal, smaller and therefor less epic story.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

What? First 10min of GoW3 are more epic than all of Gow2018+Ragnarok combined. I think its agreed upon that 2018/Ragnarok feature a more personal, smaller and therefor less epic story.

What? Compared to literal Ragnarok? Go back and repay gow3

 

[Freeman76]

The more I play the more I dislike Atreus' writing. He's a little twat basically

 

[ClosBSAS]

i havent playesd ragnarok, in fact, i have digital code here available to sell that came with my new ps5....but 2018 god of war is overrated AS FUCK. i tried it on PC and its just another fucking game. nothing special about it. i had to use a trainer just to get it over with, i was so over it half way trhough.

 

[A.Romero]

Not perfect games but I wouldn't say they are overrated. They are just different from the original trilogy and I think it's good they decided to switch it up. Another game with the same game design as the 5 or so before would have been too much. IMO Ascension already felt too repetitive.

The new ones are obviously not everyone's cup of tea but that doesn't mean they are overrated, they are just different.

I'm pretty sure that if they had followed the original formula again, they would have received a lot of criticism for rehashing the same. I'm trying to think what AAA modern games follow a similar formula and I can't think of any, I'm pretty sure there is a reason for that: the market wouldn't receive them well.

 

[HazukiSensei]

Well then we are fans of the series for different reason. Ive been through these arguments with DMC, Ninja Gaiden and Bayonetta fans who trash GOW 1-3 and even the latest GOWs as wanna be action games. Couldnt care less. GOW to me did setpieces better than any other franchise and its why that series was so beloved. That and kratos' brutality. Both of which were nerfed in Ragnorak.

And they nerfed

Most games could be reduced to this

I like how you think our Gaf bubble is representative of most gamers and also how you think that your opinion is factual

So the many reviewers and gamers got it wrong but you got it right huh...

No dude I just gave you an example of how that could be integrated more seemlessly, And you left that out. Its been done better in past games...

 

[Hobbygaming]

but my biggest beef with both reboots is the combat, its repetitive and boring, never understood why they get praised to the high heavens

Because the combat is fun. Kratos moveset is incredible, so if it's repetitive to you then you need to learn more moves

 

[Drizzlehell]

Because the combat is fun. Kratos moveset is incredible, so if it's repetitive to you then you need to learn more moves

Um...



Do you even combo, bro?