i thought this game is a failure? too many qte and cutscenes?
People think the game is QTE-based because of the button prompts in the reveal video, but that's actually not the case, it has a very interesting gameplay. It is indeed based on using the appropriate timing with the appropriate button, but it is not scripted like a QTE, it's only a way to fill your "special bars" faster. You can still mash your way through the game without focusing on what button you press, although you would miss most of the quality of the game.
Which may be why so many people think it's shallow, you only notice how important that gameplay is if you play on higher difficulties (or in the arena modes, that can be very challenging if you don't know what you're doing).
I also liked the historically-accurate use of spears to remove shields from opponents, it added a small layer of strategy in the fights. I'd hope a sequel would expand on that kind of ideas.