I actually just finished the 2018 game and am of the mind that his character didnt really change THAT much, maybe towards the end arguably.
I can't bring myself to like the new God of War games. Not because Kratos became "soft" or "woke" or anything like that but because I think that Kratos is so incredibly evil and messed up that he can't be redeemed.
The guy wiped out all of Greece in the end and on his way there he did funny little things such as ohh I don't know:
[CW] Extreme violence against women.
Spoiler
JAMMING UNARMED WOMAN INTO GEARS. And it gets worse. Seriously if you are sensitive to this stuff do not open the next spoiler.
Spoiler
This scene is vile. Dude could have just asked her to hold the gate open. But noooo mister "the only 2 interactions I have with women in this games is killing them or fucking them" just stuffed her in there while she begs him not to. And you hear her scream as she's is snapped in half while you continue through the gate.
This piece of shit cries about his family endlessly and then goes on to kill ALL of Greece and therefore countless of families. A guy like this doesn't get the "I have a family now" treatment. It makes me livid that off all villainous characters that get a redemption arc it's the biggest piece of shit out there.
I also have complaints about the gameplay but it's not even my main issue. I can see how someone could enjoy the gameplay at least. Even though it's not really my style of game. But I can't understand how anyone who has played God of War can think "Give the family slaughterer Kratos another family he can endanger. I feel so much sympathy for him this time."