zlacker

>>scient+(OP)
> However, some devs are urging players not to rate all other games in the genre by such a high standard, appealing to Larian Studios’ unique combination of vast experience and resources.

AAA game labels spend billions on producing mediocre quality bullshit sequels just to maximize revenue predictability rather than quality, originality or artistic value. That's their choice.

>>qwerty+Cd
At this point, I consider a AAA rating to be a signifier of mediocrity. If something is being touted as AAA, I can be pretty sure it will be a disappointment. There are two factors that cause this: The amount of hype creates expectations that can not be met, and the cost of production is so high a studio can't afford to deliver everything they have to. The value proposition is just not there. I find that indie and mid-sized studios (like Larian) are much better at both controlling quality and managing expectations.

>>philip+uf
Sony's been knocking it out of the park with their AAA releases though. The last few they've released (Spider-Man: Miles Morales, God of War: Ragnarok, Returnal, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, Horizon: Forbidden West) have all been extremely fun, polished, and devoid of microtransactions.

>>tapoxi+Yh
I have only played Forbidden West and it’s the most mediocre experience I had with a video game in the past decade. The gameplay felt clunky with weird spikes of difficulty in the middle of otherwise fairly boring segments. The main plot was utter trash and the other quests completely uninteresting. If that’s the standard of good AAA games, I never want to play another one.

>>Wastin+Mi
What would you consider the best experience you had with a video game in the past decade?

>>hiatus+9w
Elden Ring is certainly one of the best I played the past decade. The production design is fantastic.

>>kelsol+IN1
I worked my way back through their catalogue and I have to say I love each of them in such a particular way that I couldn't call any one the best, including Elden Ring. Which was the most fun I had in probably years.

While one starts to recognize repeating themes (and assets), I was shocked to find out how much the original Dark Souls feels like the predecessor to Elden Ring, just more intimate and simpler (for better and worse).

All that said, I'd still recommend Elden Ring to any first-timers.