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So - Ghost of Tsushima!

 

Borrows gameplay from all the usual "open world" suspects and doesn't have too much originality in the core gameplay loop.

 

...but - it does it *really* well and the production values are so sky-high that I am completely immersed in the thing and enjoying it far, far more than any of the AC games from which it so clearly apes.

 

I much prefer the older AC/Batman style of combat that Tsushima builds upon - more rhythmic than RPGish - and it suits the setting well.

 

I share a lot of your sentiments but have to disagree about the graphics. Watchdog had a Downgrade-gate and I am surprised there hasn't been more attention on this. As an example, there's a scene very early on (I am deliberately being vague to not spoil things for anyone who hasn't played this yet) where the PC got knocked onto a beach by a baddie. Right after that, I saw textures that were so low res that I wondered if I was looking at a 2009 game. The art style and world is, overall, great. But look closely you will see a lot of difference between what's in game and what was in the promotional videos.

The gameplay and combat is great. The fights are more dynamic and far more skills-based than AC ever has (or ever will) be. I am about 3 to 4 hours in -- and perhaps it's due to a relatively low level of unlocked skills -- but I am finding that I have to do cheese acts like bunny hopping to get through some fights. What has impressed me the most is the relatively limited UI and very dynamic sense of discovery. The sound engineering is also superb.