A strong, emotionally driven experience that succeeds in storytelling. The narrative is surprisingly intimate and heartfelt, especially in how it explores the relationship between Kratos and Atreus. It carries real weight and restraint, something rare for a franchise once known mainly for rage and spectacle.
The game is clearly linear, and that structure is felt throughout. While the world is beautifully designed, exploration often funnels you down controlled paths rather than encouraging true freedom. This works for pacing the story but limits replay variety. Combat is satisfying and visceral, especially with the Leviathan Axe, but balance is not perfect. Some encounters feel tuned more for frustration than challenge, particularly on higher difficulties. Enemy difficulty spikes can feel artificial rather than skill based. The Valkyries stand out as the highlight of the combat system. These fights are demanding, fair, and memorable. They reward patience, mastery, and learning patterns, and feel like the game at its mechanical best.
Overall, God of War is a journey with solid combat and standout boss encounters, even if its linear design and balance issues hold it back from being flawless. It is less about freedom and more about focus, and within that frame, it delivers something genuinely moving.