I know its easy to be cynical but *at least* nintendo has been like fuck this shit compared to whatever this is.

LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOOO

Yeah 100%! it just felt like there could of been a story here initially in development but it feels like it was focus tested into being flavorless and why it feels all over the place.

I still really like the game a lot of the characters are charming and fun some of the side quests are cute it has a lot of good moments and the gameplay feels like what Arceus's gameplay was building to.

Also how the game frames Canari's parasocial relationships with her fans is a very juvenile depiction.

Like you literally beat up protesters to protect a CEO that for some reason no one asks why a corporation is doing a redevelopment plan for this city like where the local government dog. And this is treated as a GOOD thing huh???

Even though like fg money is just not viable for 99.9% of even some top level players it all a delusion and they stay in that abyss long enough they don't even know why they play these games anymore and it sucks.

You have hit the nail on the head. In my experience my observation has been modern fg players are so desperate for "success" and esports money it stopped being about playing MUs and self improvement its to satiate ego. it has led to most modern fighting game players being absolutely miserable.

I am reminded why fighting games are worth protecting