The only area that actually looks damn good is the Tokachi Range. That's where the graphics, draw distance, and lighting really shine. Every other area looks completely mediocre. It's just constant ugly weather.
And not only that, you can't even hunt animals or interact with the world in meaningful ways. Totally disappointing. Why the hell can't I hunt animals in an open world game set in the early Edo period?
The villages are a disappointment too. NPCs just stand around like mannequins in the same spot. They have no daily routine. They don't eat, sleep, or work. They just repeat the same actions over and over. I mean, what have these developers been doing for six or seven years?
And then there's the campfire cooking they proudly showed off. All you can do is roast fish and mushrooms. That's it. I would've much preferred a deeper system where you can cook a variety of meals, like different meats and proper dishes.
The game itself is very good. I enjoyed it much more than AC Shadows. The gameplay is fun, and the combat system is honestly one of the most satisfying out there. Duels and boss fights are genuinely enjoyable and well done. But on a technical and graphical level, I expected a lot more.
I'm playing Crimson Desert right now, and it feels like a completely different world. It's crazy that these two games came out in the same console generation.
I really hope Sucker Punch reads posts like this and feels ashamed. A first party developer should be able to deliver top tier graphics. Anything less is unacceptable.