Is God of War considered like a "hard game"?

I'm just curious. I play "difficult" games a lot especially action/souls like. So coming into God of War I don't remember the original trilogy being a challenge as a kid. So I figured I'd hit the hardest difficulty and enjoy the slog....nope. I'm getting smashed by basic mobs. Made it to the lake and thinking bout turning it down. Is it worth pursuing? It's just damage sponges and one shots from what I'm seeing. Not frustrated, just wondering what the community feels about it.