So, who has played God of War: Ascension already and can (spoiler-free) debunk or confirm the lower than expected reviews?!

[Soleron]

A game feeling less epic can't be justified with "it's a prequel", if epicness is a key feature of GoW's appeal. Maybe they made the wrong game!

If I can relate, making Other M about Samus' vulnerability and subservience 'because it's a prequel' was still the wrong choice.