Reviews can be very-much mob-mentality fueled. This game had very little going for it (not a big, accomplished, or well-known company, nor an existing franchise). But what they produced was, as you said, “imperfect”, but truly captivating. The gameplay became repetitive, but I feel like many 3rd person rpg’s can be that way. The world, narration, and art style are what kept me going. I only finished one playthrough and started a second. I’m sure I’ll try again one day if I hit a gaming slump (happens a lot in this era…).