Whilst still falling into the trappings of narrative exploration titles (why do I still have to shimmy here, push the stick to climb, quick time event action cutscene there? It's 2022?) This game absolutely sets a new standard for video game storytelling and character action pacing, progression and combat variety.

It's not perfect, there are a slew of strange technical issues; some mechanics, such as the tunic arrows and their puzzle applications, are temperamental due to their interactions with the game's physics systems, and are often unreliable. There's considerable pop-in at seemingly random points and when moving between different map areas on PS5, and combat music can sometimes cut off abruptly. These are all minor issues though that can easily be fixed in a small patch. Larger issues, however, are mostly just decisions aimed at trying to appeal to the widest possible audience. First, much like the 2018 game, it takes exactly two hours before the game actually gives you all of the basic combat tools. In the 2018 game this makes sense, you're playing an aging character who has not been in a real fight in maybe decades and needs to re-learn the ropes. Here it just feels like... It wanted to do the same as that game. Another issue comes in the puzzles. They're some of the best in the series! And miles above the simple affairs of the 2018 game, but you'd be forgiven for not noticing as the moment you get into a puzzle room in this game, your companion NPC will instantly, without any hesitation, tell you the solution to the puzzle in no uncertain terms. Again, toward the end of the 2018 game this made sense to show how Atreus is opening up and becoming more confident, but here, much like holding back giving you combat mechanics, it's only happening because it happened in the last game and they expect you to be nine years old.

Negatives aside, though, let's go into that combat! From the get-go you have everything Kratos had at the end of the previous game, and whilst I was at first disappointed that unlocked abilities didn't carry over (the character action game curse strikes again), it soon made total sense, because combat has been completely re-worked and rebalanced here. The camera now sits further away from Kratos, there's an even greater emphasis on combos as opposed to pure timing and speed as in the previous game, though that is still there. There is also a greater variety than ever before in the series. New types of elemental shielded enemies, more enemy types than every other entry in the series put together, different types of attacks and ways to approach them (I'm an especially big fan of the changes to shield bashing and interruptions, making them a much more integral part of combat). Of course, there are also many more ways to fight, and instead of just giving you little things at a moderate pace, this game slowly drips out powerful abilities that change how you use each weapon in your arsenal. It's a great pacing and momentum keeper. There are also much more satisfying and varied bosses here, instead of fighting the same trolls fifty times each boss here is unique, often even minibosses are completely unique, which is insane considering what the next section of this review is about.

The open world is leagues above the last game. Where that was mostly just a proof of concept for side quests and post-gsme content, this game encourages you to scour nine huge realms for tons of meaningful and impactful side content that genuinely adds to the world and story of the game in a way few other games have achieved before.

And speaking of the story, what a treat. For the 25-30 hour runtime of the main story of this game, it's paced more like a movie. Now, someone just read that and raised an eyebrow, I don't mean it's all cutscenes, that's insane, why would you have got that from what I said? No, I mean it's not the usual video game 'it takes you an hour long mission to learn basic information'; here it feels like every conversation, every interaction, and every moment you're learning something new, strengthening character bonds, and meaningfully progressing. The pace never slows, never takes a break, there's always a new setpiece or boss fight around the corner, always a new twist coming up, and you'll hang on every word. And they're not empty words either, even the new characters feel rich and juicy, not nearly to the extent of the main cast and returning characters, but still interesting to watch and play with nonetheless. I would have perhaps liked more from Odin, his primary motivation felt only-just not well enough established, but it was no major detractor.

As always happens with Sony exclusives and highly-rated games, a lot of people are criticising the game, but the only reasons you wouldnt like this game would be if you don't like narrative action-adventure and don't like fantastic character action. If you like either or both of those genres, then this is for you!
I'm very glad this is a duology, and this game ties everything up in a neat bow, it works perfectly, and I can't wait to keep exploring the nine realms to see everything they have to offer!

Reviewed on Nov 16, 2022


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