Alright time to review the game. No spoilers. Though discussing my thoughts without spoilers might be a bit challenging. Still after those multi beserker fights, I think I can do anything.
4 years ago, I played GOW and was convinced it was going to be the best game of the year then RDR2 came out and annoyed me to death with its controls, slow pacing, and ridiculous design decisions. And yet by the end of it all, the game had won me over and I think the same thing has happened here. My issues with the game simply did not factor into my enjoyment. I love this game.
Graphics:
Stunning at times. Underwhelming to the point of looking like a third party UE4 title other times. Vanaheim during the day has this really bad brownish UE4 quality lighting that Horizon fixed in 2017. That said, when the game wants to show off its cinematic flair, the visuals dont hold it back. Some truly awe-inspiring sertpieces, one shot takes, and locations in this game.
Level Design:
To me the crater is the best level in the game, and a true evolution of the hub world introduced in GOW 2018. Not just islands with nothing going on, it's a fully living and breathing valley with a day night cycle that changes the enemies that spawn. The rest of the game might feel more of the same, and a bit DLC'ish especially in the Dwarf islands, but there is the evolution here that I wanted from a sequel. The game is also fully of incredible setpieces, awe-inspiring boss fights, and enemy variety missing from the first game that take it far far above DLC category. It's a true sequel like GOW2 was back in the day.
Combat:
I have a love/hate relationship with it, but mostly love. Sometimes it feels too chaotic. But most of times, It feels sublime. Sometimes Im like this is Ascension and HFW all over again, needless tinkering with perfection and then boom, i get in a groove mid fight and squeeze out a win like I'm John fucking Wick. It's brilliant. Tip to everyone: just focus on maxing out strength and defense. You want to do most of your damage with your basic attacks. You can kill most mobs in three hits at 400 Strength. Fuck Runic, Luck, Vitality, and Cooldown stats.
Story:
I personally didnt have many issues with the millennial writing here, but I do understand the concerns. I saw in the end credits that the game was written by 7 people up from just three last game, and I think thats why it feels a bit inconsistent. Without going into much detail, I will say it surprised me which is a good thing because stories no longer do that to me since ive seen everything, but then kinda left me wanting more which is not what you want from a finale for a game that was 4.5 years in development.
Conclusion:
Like with RDR2, I have a lot of issues with the game that I chose not to mention here because ultimately they are artistic choices I disagree with. It's why I didnt have an issue with what Neil did to Joel in TLOU2. It's his character. He can do with him as he pleases. I will go into those issues in the spoiler thread, but this masterpiece of level design, enemy design, combat design, and boss fights is something that all Sony first party studios ought to follow. And I dont call it a masterpiece lightly. I piss off my friends when I give HFW, Ratchet and Miles a 7 out of 10, but this is what I save my 9s and 9.5s for. A game that is truly light years ahead of HFW, Ratchet and all the other nonsense being handed out 9s and 10s recently.