I almost can't believe how stupid this story is. I started the game late because I had no time, but now that I am halfway into it, I am completely flabbergasted.
They are heavily influenced by Naughty Dog and have increased dialogue by 400%, and are trying to cram two games into one.
Kratos is neutered with a soft morality system and feels completely useless, and they are trying to tell personal stories from the perspective of gods who want to be friends and deal with trauma while they cry and hug while commentating on destiny and fate in something that comes off as a parody of a sitcom. They sit around the dinner table telling jokes.
Half of the dialogue is exposition about lore and history that is completely useless, centered around underdeveloped places and people that have no bearing on anything. They can't slam enough companions in your face that need to speak on everything in fine detail, from what direction you need to look to where you need to throw your axe.
Atreus barely got any working facial animations. Freya looks like a dead horse trying to speak.
The over-the-shoulder camera is pointless. In 2018, they told little stories with the cinematography, here, they barely use it for anything worthwhile, I guess it's because that was Barlog's baby, and he's not directing.
The game is still great because of the production values and combat, I would even score it well over 90. But WHAT A FUCK is going on here, I have the same feeling as when playing Mass Effect Andromeda. How did they do from God of War 2018 to this mess? these two games have almost nothing in common when it comes to how they tell their stories. This game is the very definition of bloated expensive popcorn entertainment with no substance.
I am terrified of the stupid shit I am bound to run into as the story continues. At least there are some cool bosses.