@Kyrylo: I guess I don't entirely understand. The setup allows for a morally grey Atreus. The point of the series is all Gods suck, and Atreus is gonna get caught right in the middle of that. The sequel will very likely show major conflict within the characters, both Kratos and Atreus, given the heightened involvement and revenge of the Norse pantheon. If Kratos does get killed, you don't think Atreus would rage out? Of course he would. They haven't written him soft, they've written him balanced, and also, ya know, he's a kid. Kratos openly calls him out for not being ready and starting too soft, and Atreus showed up to the plate and knocked it outta the park, proving he had grown and wasn't soft. Do you want it to go an extra step and make him evil? Does he need to rape and pillage to get your approval? Kratos didn't, even in the originals, so I guess I just don't understand. Maybe I played a different game, but the new game feels in line with the writing of the original God of War games. Kratos hates everything, killed everyone, almost died, a warrior goddess helped him get back on his feet, they fell in love (love is an okay emotion in these games, given that Kratos lost his family, the ones he loved, which started all of this, so we know he can do it) and now he's pissed that she also died and he has this kid who he thinks is weak, but he needs to teach him anyway. It all adds up. Personally, I wouldn't see the point in playing a game about a perpetually pissed off dad and his perpetually pissed off son. Why? Where is the growth in that? The original games, fueled by rage, were still very much about growth, so the concept isn't new.

Of course, this is all just opinion, and if yours is that you are convinced you won't enjoy a new entry, and that the last entry was trash, well then hey, to each their own.

@justthetip: I'm with ya. GoW3 holds up in memory, but not practice. Still a fantastic game, don't get me wrong, but it's a little too easy and one-note for me now, not as up close and visceral.

@Kyrylo: I'm not too worried. If they keep pushing Atreus in the direction the lore around his identity is implying, he's definitely going to be on the lower end of "morally righteous" for quite a while when given full power and freedom as an adult.

@CRAPCOM1926: I totally agree, and I don't personally mind the price point, but I imagine there will be those that may only stretch it to the single playthrough and may find 5 hours for $25 as a little bit of a stretch for the value they're looking for. As for accessibility, it is tons easier than Necrodancer, but still definitely a challenge. If you've enjoyed Necrodancer and have even a passing interest in Zelda, you should have a blast with this.

Picked it up and played it over the weekend (I loved Necrodancer) and I think my only complaint is perhaps the length of the game. The game was brilliant the whole way through, easily capturing the classing feeling of The Legend of Zelda, especially A Link to the Past, but I finished my core play-through in about 5 hours. At that point, your mileage may vary as for how much extra you want to play the game, and what you think a $25 game should give you. I'll likely dive in again and try a fresh map and new challenges, and I have no problem supporting the dev at full price for this great game, but there are several people out there who might need to eek out a little extra value for their dollar, so I just wanted to share my experience and insight. I try not to criticize indie games on price-points, but when I look at, say, Hollow Knight for $15 (which is big enough to be $60), I can't help but let the gears turn.

@Barighm: Doubt that would be an issue. Octopath Traveler, the highly successful JRPG released last year has a main character, Primrose, who works as a dancer with other escorts. Her story outright tells us that she would do anything to get to the people she wants to get her revenge on, and if the innuendo weren't enough, she has a mission to help her friend who openly calls herself a "whore" and works at a brothel, not hiding the fact that she is a sex worker. It was made by SquareEnix, in today's gaming climate. I think you're looking for drama a little too much on that one.

@saltymemesoup: I appreciate the fair and thorough response, as I think discussion is important. We all so easily yell stuff at the internet, and I'm not innocent, so I appreciate your time with your answer. To a degree, I can understand your sentiment, about trying to prevent a harsher world on children. I feel like it's a tough situation, balancing protection while trying to reinforce being unique, and don't know if video games are the right place to have that conversation, so in that I can understand where you're coming from. I do think kids can be a little stronger than we give them credit for, to be fair, and that it would be nice to have an optimal world where they can be themselves, fully, without objection, but I don't know if the world is entirely there yet. I would still let the sentence in the review stand, as is, thinking that it's still harmless and empowering in and of itself, but knowing where you're coming from, I can understand your position and the eye roll. For better or worse, I often challenge people by asking them to understand how even seemingly flippant words can be hurtful or non-productive, and that elaborating and breaking down criticism is the best way to change the landscape of the online community, and in a way, the community itself. I asked it of you, and you obliged, and even if I don't fully agree, I think it's cool of you to do so, and I'd challenge you to keep doing so. Not my place to do so, but I'm a bit stubborn like that. In any case, game on!

@GambreGoemon: Have to be poking the bear on that one (pun mildly intended). "Bad 3-D platformer" while anyone's potential opinion, is critically and commercially false. The first two games are beloved and highly successful among a massive audience.

Perfect game for the Switch, for me. When I finally find time to sit on the couch to game on a TV, I usually prefer the higher end, graphically intensive games (God of War, Spider-Man, Red Dead II), but with my free time on the go, I'd be more than happy putting dozens of hours on a great RPG that isn't as graphically demanding.

On one hand, I respect artistic vision and understand that this is a AAA game that should be played as intended, with big, bright, amazing graphics in front of a big, shiny screen. On the other hand, as a full time family man working more than full time hours, it is painful to arrange the "me" time in front of a TV that it would take me to finish this, properly, especially as a game that's clockin' in at the 80+ hour mark. I'm lookin' at 2 hours a week, if I'm lucky, which is fine for pushing through God of War or Spider-Man, but for massive RPG's, it's tough, and I usually have to pass. This is why the Switch has been a fantastic tool to let me play games on the go, or while I'm on break at work, or here and there over the week, meaning, I'd love to see this on the Switch. It's obviously not preferred, but if it's this or nothing at all, I'd take this.