Relax, I'm not slating the game. It does look pretty great and fun and I certainly won't miss it but it's hard to argue it hasn't lost a certain part of its identity.
They've changed the setting because they ran out of gods to kill, that alone made a big difference.TLoU influences are clearly visible, the combat is completely different, they've made it open-worldish, camera work is totally different, there's Atreus and the incessant "boy!", Kratos is different etc. Nothing wrong with that but it's certainly a bit less GoW.
I understand they had to switch stuff up to make it fresh but the game wasn't needed after 3's conclusion, no matter how good it is, and it's obvious why they made that weird transition into Norse mythology.
I've seen some later parts, it's pretty normal for things to ramp up in the last 20% or so. It's still less bonkers than 3 which tears **** up even in the opening section.