1. No, it is a good game.
2. Overrated? Depends on who you ask.
3. Not at all. The previous God of War games were good. I've only played 3 so I can only personally speak for that one.
4. It's not a spin off, its a prequel. There is a difference. If you want spin offs, look at the PSP games.
5. Ascension does have new ideas. Have you not seen multiplayer? Even if you don't count that, the game revolves around a story with solid gameplay that works. If it aint broke, don't fix it.

That's exactly what I'm saying. Their reviews are all over the place and very inconsistent. It's pure personal prefence and has nothing to do with game quality.

what the hell is egm

Ascension is like the 6th or 7th God of War game that SMS has had a hand in. Not really comparable to the 3 Gears games that Epic has made.

Not sure why the OP is irate that personal opinions and preference are in a review. That's how it's always been and EGM has always been wildly feast or famine in their scores, going all the way back to PSone games.

be sure to link me when you update.

Isn't that enough proof that we should not take its reviews by truth? xD