The mini games can be a part of it. When they work they’re intuitive, quick, and immersive. But sometimes the mini games aren’t well thought out and/or not intuitive. The real problem for me is that I was 40 hours into the game and it’s not only introducing new elements but the tutorials long, uninteresting, and constant. The game just doesn’t have time to breathe.
I would say if you’re on the fence you’ll probably like it. Like I said, there IS an amazing game there. Just go in with lower expectations and you’ll have a good time.
Edit: it’s just frustrating because if the devs put the time spent on all the side elements into the core gameplay, then this game could have been something really special. As is, there are plenty of interesting things to do and cool, emergent moments smothered in a bunch of sub par game design and warioware.
Edit2: I’m definitely venting, too. The game looks incredible and there are also a ton of spoilers that you or others might find to be great moments.
I don’t read much fiction, but I quite enjoyed the book Edge of Tomorrow was based on: All You Need Is Kill. The plots only overlap at a very high level, if that, so no worries on having it spoiled for you. It’s fun reading the protagonist’s thought process and I think the book does a far better job at making the aliens scary, the war desperate.