Oh don't worry, I understand that. But that's exactly why I feel that style of game just didn't match the character they put in it. Perhaps if they had made his powers wane away because he was so distant from the "source" and in a land where different deities reigned over or something like that it could have been better. I guess the best way to put my complain is that I disliked how inconsistent his powers were. It's true that you had similar things in the older games like you mention, but it felt easier to brush those off since they were in the end obstacles in the linear path instead of a constant reminder that "the open world is a lie," you know?
On the enemy variety I completely agree with you. I had read that complain before I played the game, and it was spot on. Not just bosses, you have the same basic half a dozen enemies that get some "elemental-tied" versions and that's it. The bosses were for the most part just beefed up regular enemies or soon-to-be normal enemies showing for the first time. I was really looking out for fighting dragons when you go releasing three, but nope, nothing like that. Even the last "boss" felt like just a warm-up for what would really be the last fight.
Ah I heard about that "true ending" yeah, but I've yet to find like four treasure maps and complete Surtr challenges a few more times to grind the materials from there to get the last remaining upgrades (level 9 right now, not sure you have enough to reach 10). I want to get all that done before going back home.
Now, in case you want to spoil yourself/don't care about spoilers (really only open if you don't care)...
Spoiler:Show