@Octane The thing is, that's how this game 'feels' to ME. I couldn't care less if people feel like this is the best game ever, most original or unique title in years, big, mid or little budget title - to me I see this and it has an 'indie' vibe to it. That's not a criticism either - unless they were aiming to create a game that was meant to convey what is expected from a AAA game. Maybe its that they are trying something different within a recognised format - after all most RPG's tend to go for a more serious vibe with more 'realism' - at least within the realms of its setting. Aliens in a sci-fi aren't 'realistic' but within the setting they are portrayed in a realistic manner. Every time I watch a video of the game, I forget this is a AAA game. That doesn't mean it can't be fun or perfectly playable but I struggle to place it alongside games like Red Dead 2, Ghost of Tsushima, Assassin's Creed, Horizon:ZD, Witcher 3, etc - other open world action RPG's.

'Original' is a difficult one as very few (if any) are original. We have seen many games with very similar game-play, similar 'basic' concept (like shooting enemies, levelling up, crafting new weapons which can be 'original' to that game but its not like we haven't seen some 'fun' weapons - the Disco gun in R&C for example). Changing 'humans' for anthropomorphic design - whether more cartoon or realistic isn't original either. Its been done in hundreds of games. Having a 'tank' in a game isn't original either - whether that's a traditional tank design, a sci-fi take or some 'comedic' design that looks like a hand with a finger. There is an element of R&C about it...

Originality now comes from the story - although again, if you break it down to the basic concept - destroy enemies to rescue a loved one, save your home world, fight back against oppression/invaders etc has all been done before too. Karma systems etc have also been done before so its not as if this is truly original in a lot of ways.

Again not a criticism as its virtually impossible to come up with something truly unique now. Its a game though that I forget is a AAA game and the video's also don't help either.