-
Ever wanted an RSS feed of all your favorite gaming news sites? Go check out our new Gaming Headlines feed! Read more about it here.
-
We have made minor adjustments to how the search bar works on ResetEra. You can read about the changes here.
I don't really like God of War, and here's why
- Thread starter Firmament1
- Start date
True but CDPR have improved in it a lot and on PC mods have fixed a lot of other issues. The movement will always be janky and the detective vision mission design can't be changed.
Oh yeah. And for all its flaws it's still one of the best games ever made.
Oh yeah I remember that as well. Honestly in an action game (or - I don't know, according to some people here GoW wasn't an action game) the less time you spend in the menu the better. Which is why the whole rune / armor stat system was so dumb.
I was really surprised and disappointed by the lack of enemy and boss variety.
That part where there's something trying to break the huge door down and the game really builds it up with the characters making ominous comments.. and it's just another troll. What a letdown.
That part where there's something trying to break the huge door down and the game really builds it up with the characters making ominous comments.. and it's just another troll. What a letdown.
I've responded to why I think this is a rather poor analysis of the game before, but based on the complaints, it really does sound like Matthewmatosis simply wasn't very good at the game nor the combat and is intent of blaming the game for those failings.
So many of the things he's complained about myself and many others never had any issues with. Hell, you have people uploading entire play throughs on the hardest difficulty without even taking damage.
Point being, if slow motion timings, move assist etc were genuine issues, people wouldn't be consistently dominating the way they are and do, nor breezing through the hardest difficulties.
To counter some of his specific complaints, move assist you counter just by holding your direction in the direction you want to maintain attack, and slow motion or attack timings are different between different rune attacks because that's the entire point of their skill ceiling and mastery, that you have to learn the attack timings for each one to master their effectiveness. Different rune attacks are better in different scenarios for this exact reason. That Matt doesn't get this and even complains about it is pretty amusing.
Also, it's completely disingenuous for him to say Half-life 2 did the one cut thing first only with "a couple of loading screens" when the entire game is literally filled with pauses and loads like this.
It's interesting that so many people link to this video and case study given it presents so many poor arguments, a failure in understanding the combat system and/or a lack of skill with it.
It's an interesting and fresh take on the series, but I agree with you.
It took a lot of modern ideas and executed them together solidly, but I really don't see it as the GOTG or a game that pushed the genre forward.
The writing was fine but I felt like I've seen this story before in other games.
It took a lot of modern ideas and executed them together solidly, but I really don't see it as the GOTG or a game that pushed the genre forward.
The writing was fine but I felt like I've seen this story before in other games.
OP
OP
OP is not trying to be "edgy".
Seems like they have laid out some pretty valid criticism, even though their wording is often a little harsh.
You're entitled to disagree with them, just as they are entitled to make a thread describing their issues with the game.
The thing with this kind of post is, you have to understand that a lot of people enjoy investing time/money into a game and seeing it through despite the flaws they perceive. OP gave the game enough time and respect to finish it, yet it didn't satisfy them in the way they hoped. Nothing wrong with elaborating on that at all, especially on a forum primarily built for video game discussion.
I pretty much agree with all your major points Op. Also what's with all the thread whining lately?
I think it was a very good game, but lacked true identity. It was riding on the production values like graphics and and sound most of the time. Thereby it took a safe approach.
My analysis is simple:
Mass Appeal is the problem.
Sony would not settle for less.
A niche game is a no go.
This is a major problem for many "AAA" developers. They have these fan favourite IPs, but with that comes the lack of bravery to do something new. They nudge their games instead of reforming them. The risk for upsetting the fans are too high. I can see the argument that putting GoW in this type of game was brave, but thats is not the point.
This is why we have this massive rift between "AAA" games and "indies". A.K.A The "what do you actually do in this videogame" situation.
My analysis is simple:
Mass Appeal is the problem.
Sony would not settle for less.
A niche game is a no go.
This is a major problem for many "AAA" developers. They have these fan favourite IPs, but with that comes the lack of bravery to do something new. They nudge their games instead of reforming them. The risk for upsetting the fans are too high. I can see the argument that putting GoW in this type of game was brave, but thats is not the point.
This is why we have this massive rift between "AAA" games and "indies". A.K.A The "what do you actually do in this videogame" situation.
I'll agree with you on the lack of enemy variety. I think the RPG elements was meant to feel like RPG-lite, to not take away that its a 3rd person action game. I quite liked the new camera angle though. The action felt more visceral that way, but the camera angle from the older GoW games also does have its own merits. I guess what I'm trying to say is that its not worse, just different.
The only complaint I can agree with is the lack of enemy variety. It didn't bother me but it was noticeable and a better variety would have made the game even better.
I liked the camera the way it was. It made the combat more visceral, more "in your face". That's one of the core issues I have with the older God of War games. The zoomed out camera combat is a stark contrast to the constant rage Kratos is in (in my opinion).
I also liked the gear progression. Not sure if the stats really mattered but the gear level most certainly did. It was a way to gatekeep certain areas until later in the game. You could still cheese your way through smaller groups of high level enemies via dodging and spamming Atreus' attacks and it felt great when it worked but it was hard and not always possible. That system is just a simple alternative to regular character levels with growing stats. It's done in games with finite levels where endgame progression still needs to be made via item levels from armor and weapons (Destiny, FFXIV, etc.). I enjoy these systems (with some limitations).
I also don't mind that GoW borrowed things from other popular games and genres because they were implemented really well.
I liked the camera the way it was. It made the combat more visceral, more "in your face". That's one of the core issues I have with the older God of War games. The zoomed out camera combat is a stark contrast to the constant rage Kratos is in (in my opinion).
I also liked the gear progression. Not sure if the stats really mattered but the gear level most certainly did. It was a way to gatekeep certain areas until later in the game. You could still cheese your way through smaller groups of high level enemies via dodging and spamming Atreus' attacks and it felt great when it worked but it was hard and not always possible. That system is just a simple alternative to regular character levels with growing stats. It's done in games with finite levels where endgame progression still needs to be made via item levels from armor and weapons (Destiny, FFXIV, etc.). I enjoy these systems (with some limitations).
I also don't mind that GoW borrowed things from other popular games and genres because they were implemented really well.
Wow some of these reactions. Heaven forbid somebody want to talk about their thoughts about a video game on a video game discussion board.
Yet people will make several threads about the latest new AAA hotness to praise it despite an OT already existing.
So really people don't care about another thread, they're mad someone doesn't like the game. Which is pathetic, grow up.
Yet people will make several threads about the latest new AAA hotness to praise it despite an OT already existing.
So really people don't care about another thread, they're mad someone doesn't like the game. Which is pathetic, grow up.
I agree wholeheartedly, the story was entertaining as a YouTube Movie Version but i got bored playing the game after a few hours.
All we get on here is hot takes and what ppl don't like lol.
Negativity in general is what I'm tired of seeing and this place is full of it.
I agree with most of your points, if not with all of them.
I still liked the game a lot, but when I finished it I had the feeling that it was an unfinished game. The game is always showing you content that is not "reachable" in the game, things like some realms in the worlds map (Asgard for example), talking about Odin and Thor ALL THE TIME, the big bird in Helheim like you said, the voice of Zeus... I was all my time when playing it thinking: woah it's gonna be awesome when I fight that colossal bird, or Zeus in Helheim, or Thor, can't wait to unlock Asgard!...
And when it finished I was left with a feeling of: that was it??
I still liked the game a lot, but when I finished it I had the feeling that it was an unfinished game. The game is always showing you content that is not "reachable" in the game, things like some realms in the worlds map (Asgard for example), talking about Odin and Thor ALL THE TIME, the big bird in Helheim like you said, the voice of Zeus... I was all my time when playing it thinking: woah it's gonna be awesome when I fight that colossal bird, or Zeus in Helheim, or Thor, can't wait to unlock Asgard!...
And when it finished I was left with a feeling of: that was it??
Did you seek out the Valkyrie or play in a difficulty higher than hard?
There's plenty of challenge and unique enemies (that requires thinking and skill to defeat) in the game but boss battles and spectacle of the older games are some obvious short comings.
Didn't take anything away from my enjoyment as I was honestly tired of the set piece moments in past GOW, but Cory mentioned a lot of things were cut.
For me it's a game full of contradictions that don't work at all, it's an intimate parent/child adventure story that happens to be 20 hours long and has tacked on and boring RPG mechanics, exploration, side quests etc. A self-conscious piece of prestige gaming that for me would have been better served doing one thing well instead of trying to be all things to all people. My heart kinda sank when I got a few hours in and realized that the game would just stop being interested in the intense focus of its central relationship.
Prestige game is a real thing here? Lol I thought we just used those as jokes. We still calling Gears Dudebro? 😂
My goodness
My goodness
Can you pull your condescension down a few notches please? God of War is "prestige" just by virtue of its incredible production design, serious and grounded approach and the fact that it's extremely well reviewed and award receiving. If this game isn't "prestige" then no game is.
Yeah, I did all of the valkyries, including the last one which was a rehash with the moveset of all the others in one, and I played it in the hard difficulty, but not the highest. I did a single run.
I also enjoyed the game and the setpieces, but left me with a bittersweet feeling because of the cut content and knowing that I'll have to wait many years and a new generation to follow the story.
Had the sensation of have just played the Prologue and not have seen any of the really important characters of the story.
I never really felt they cut content. They literally figured out the game 1.5 years before launch. You should watch the Raising Kratos doc
I wish I liked these types of games more. I can never get over the repetitiveness of the combat.
Meanwhile something like diablo3 I have no problem playing for hours on end. Hypocritical to say the least!
I've never finished a single GoW game, but they just get better and better.
Meanwhile something like diablo3 I have no problem playing for hours on end. Hypocritical to say the least!
I've never finished a single GoW game, but they just get better and better.
I felt the same, but at the same time the game feels bloated and the pacing is bad. It feels both too long and devoid of meaningful content, which is not a good thing.
I felt the lack of variety in enemies very strong, specially when the game throw at the player those "arena" like sections, where you fight against wave of the same enemies you have been fighting again and again.
Or the extra Realms you can visit besides the main story, which are again sections against those same enemies and felt just like a poor way of lengthen the duration of the game. I'm talking about Nilfheim and Muspelheim.
Well as far as seasoned action gamers I definitely recommend the difficulty after hard, GMGOW I believe there's a New Game + as well. The last boss will certainly not be an easy win and while she is a combination of other Valkyrie her tool kit is the best. Each encounter felt challenging and well paced when I increased the difficulty, made the game for me. Despite having more creativity with Dante in DMCV, I overall enjoyed God of War more. So I think a more fleshed out battle system will make the sequel the true GOTG.
I think that the game could've benefit following a more linear structure, the "open world" elements of the game are poor and feel shoehorned, while the linear sections can be great. Except the Valkyria fights, the remaining sidecontent feels like "we need to do a 20h+ game" instead of "we need to do what the game will benefit the most from" to me.
OP
OP
The problem is that you still have to stop your momentum. So it's not like I can sprint towards an enemy, and then recall the axe to knock someone out of my way while continuously sprinting at my target.
Yes you can with Returning Whirlwind and Returning Storm. With those you can sprint towards an enemy and unleash attacks instantly and continue with combos.
OP
OP
But those attacks still only get me around the distance of a dodge. That still doesn't allow me to just recall the axe while sprinting, and continue sprinting.
Not to mention with Returning Whirlwind, I have to aim, so regardless of how brief that period is, I still stop my momentum.
If you sprint and just press L2+R1 or R2 you instantly launch the attack, there's no momentum stopping. Yes you can't launch a combo but that's not possible anyway since during sprint other attacks like Frost Rush or Leviathan's Fury. :)
But yes it will always stop the sprint since it's attack based. As I said, use melee, it's awesome. ;)
OP
OP
But here's the situation I'm thinking of:
1. I sprint forward towards an enemy a long distance from me when I don't have my axe
2. Some enemy jumps in my path halfway there or so
3. I recall the axe to get rid of the enemy in my path while STILL sprinting
4. After knocking the guy out of the way, I manage to get over to the enemy I was attacking in the first place, and then deal with them.
I want to be able to just tap triangle while sprinting, and Kratos would not stop sprinting. He would just extend his hand while running, and get it back.
The Returning Whirlwind still makes me have to slow down my momentum due to ending lag, and I wouldn't be able to get to my main target without having to hit L3 again to sprint after attacking.
did you read the OP, or did you just assume "hey this guy is bashing a game i like. i need to retaliate because tribalism"
Jesus, it seems that people get really emontional over video games based on other people's opinion.
Anyway OP, I agree.
God of War is a good game but that's about it. I'm more curious about to see what they do with the sequel and hopefully they take some of the critism to heart and improve on it.
Anyway OP, I agree.
God of War is a good game but that's about it. I'm more curious about to see what they do with the sequel and hopefully they take some of the critism to heart and improve on it.
Okay. I fell off God of War but wouldn't dream of making a thread about it. I feel off Spider-man too. You are allowed to not like a game. There is no entitlement to do so. But I could just be old and cranky.
Other than bosses variety I don't really have any big complaints. I love the combat and how it really makes you feel like a bad-ass with so many useful moves. Love the story, though I don't like how they show places you can't visit in the game. Love the general game structure, the way you get new equipment and how you upgrade your weapons. Of course some parts could be even better but the whole package it's just so strong. It's my GoTG for now.
If you're tired of negativity, don't step into a thread titled "I don't really like..."
I see the expression "hot take" used to bat away criticism a lot these days, but often it's not used correctly.
Google:
GoW is not exactly recent news, and has enjoyed plenty of success as well as threads on here praising it for various reasons.
OP is just giving his honest opinion. He wants to vent and hopefully find someone of like mind. Isn't that normal?
There's no need to be so sensitive to a bit of criticism about a successful game.
I agree that too much negativity can be tiresome, but people on here generally punch up, because they have high expectations of the AAA industry.
OP I agree with you but expect to be killed on your opinion my biggest issue was the enemy variety killing the same large trolls over and over with just different powers ex ice was tedious
Yeah, I just simply cannot agree with this. Pulling the camera back considerably would not compliment what they were going for at all.
Not every design choice has to be in service of "helping you". Sometimes limitations on the players perspective or information provided can enhance the experience. For me it did in the case of God of War.
I'm not saying you aren't entitled to your own preferences obviously. Just that for me, the close camera enhanced the feel of the game.
Whining about people making counterpoints and disagreeing with OP is probably the most pointless non contribution someone can make.
The whole point of a thread like this is to converse and discuss different perspectives and points of view. There would be nothing to be gained by everyone just nodding their heads and saying "I totally agree with you".