One of the reasons why I loved the Mass Effect Games (as well as KotOR, Jade Empire, Fallout) is because finally RPG set in something else besides D&D.
I get it, you want something even more ground breaking or maybe in your eyes people should be hyped about a game which makes even bolder design decisions than Cyberpunk 2077. But maybe you are asking for too much.
There’s only really Shadow Run and Deus Ex to compare it to. When you think in those terms, which I do, you must at least try to be content we’re getting a big story driven RPG set in the future which has a big budget and is being made by a company with a great track record.
To be sure, I want weirder games with great design and vision. But let’s try to be happy.
Well, if you are going to build a game of this scale and budget, you have to appeal to a mass market, so making it too "weird" is an unacceptable risk unfortunately. That's why the weird-but-sometimes-wonderful ideas are left to lower-budget indie titles, which can be successful even if they only find a niche audience...
I'd also add System Shock and Bioshock to your list (Ok, arguably not really RPGs).
What CDPR is doing with buildings alone, adding verticality to cities, is worth being excited about.
Like, I love CRPG games for the core mechanic or design philosophy. And I love that we are finally branching out of standard fantasy.
As much as 2k games love to shoot them selves in the foot and violate their reputation, adding a story with rpg mechanics into basketball was a great decision. I’d love to play a game where you role play as a boxer, or a soccer player.
Basically I’m always stoked to play a progressive RPG. Fantasy is great but I for one can burn out on it pretty quickly.
I get it, you want something even more ground breaking or maybe in your eyes people should be hyped about a game which makes even bolder design decisions than Cyberpunk 2077. But maybe you are asking for too much.
There’s only really Shadow Run and Deus Ex to compare it to. When you think in those terms, which I do, you must at least try to be content we’re getting a big story driven RPG set in the future which has a big budget and is being made by a company with a great track record.
To be sure, I want weirder games with great design and vision. But let’s try to be happy.