More than even in the pickup truck market, video game customers are extremely tribal. They operate on a series of triggers, and once in awhile a game will come out which trips several of them at once. Here are some quotes I am seeing regarding "Elden Ring":

• With Elden Ring, we're in masterpiece territory.
• It's one of the best games ever made.
• While it feels like the impact of Breath of the Wild is waning as the open world genre starts to stagnate again...
• At the risk of hyperbole, it has dethroned Bloodborne as my favorite game of all time.
• The thing that surprised me most about Elden Ring is how good the exploration is. Better than BOTW in some ways.
• I'm here to witness history.
• On Friday I get to play the best game ever made.
• God bless Fromsoft.
• Never doubt Miyazaki.
• Game of the year locked up already and it's only Feb.
• As expected, it is the greatest game ever.
• Our lord and Savior Miyazaki doesn't fail.
• It's the first game since BOTW that's going to have a sense of wonder and discovery.
• What a time to be alive.
• Zelda fans crying.
• Thank god for individuals like Miyazaki.
• Combat in Elden Ring is unmatched by any other game.
• Game of the decade incoming.
• They are creating history now
• So happy to see these scores!!

Outside of the first few bullets, none of these other people have even played the game. The lowest "professional" critic review is a ninety. Most of them are literally one hundreds. I haven't seen this kind of mass psychosis hyperbole and groupthink since "Breath of the Wild." So, it's not surprising to see that game referenced with regards to this one.

"Breath of the Wild" was a solid game, but not spectacular. I'm sure "Elden Ring" is a solid title too. But the commentary around titles like these are rooted more in gaming culture psychology than the actual releases themselves.