So I got this for "free" after trading in some used stuff.. thanks ebgames.
It's harder than GoW3. Your movelist is limited unless you raise your rage bar to full by hitting while not taking damage. Block/parry are no longer the same button so you can't spam block while hoping for a free parry. Enemies are more aggressive and mid-late game you can't grab anything without breaking its armor first. I'm used to quick hits followed by dodge or block after playing the tougher action combat games (Bayo, NG Black, MGR, etc.) so combat feels pretty natural to me.
There are still ways around direct combat like using magic, artifacts, upgraded attacks, etc.
Overall I think it's a pretty good game that improves on the original mechanics, although as Bebpo noted, most players are not pleased with the changes. Not being able to mash block to get free parries? Learning parry timing in a God of War game? Magic and artifacts being merely useful rather than "iwin" buttons? Perish the thought.
