I think there are a few jems that come by, but with micro transactions, and other ways to charge people monthly, it’s a hard thing to fight against.
I think the most original, immersive, and character driven game is one that flew under my radar… “Days Gone.”
I think RTS and 4X games still do well for single players, but most action and shooters are focused on online play.
A lot of single player games can be rehashed mechanics, over or under done characters etc. I will say Mass Effect Andromeda made me cry a little. I played it and held out hope… but the characters killed it for me.
I really hope as many game devs read this as possible… I am dying for a great single player game that checks all the boxes… Immersive, believable characters, unpredictable arc, some realism to ground it, good story, challenging yet fun.
Lately, I have found myself modding old games to have something to play (as @imrazor said).
I think my best MMO I played was EvE (with a good group of players), and custom built limited access servers for games like Ark, modded Arma the original Day Z lol. I may run one of these again one day now that I have a significant and reliable internet connection. I miss that kind of play and being on comms. Then again I’m not very social.
For now it seems the tempo of game releases (especially of AAA games) is still feeling the backlash of COVID. Much like the movie industry.
OH AND… Assassins Creed Valhalla… After Odessy it felt like a let down with so little interaction or tie in with the Isu. There is in a way with artifacts but thats it… The world also felt barren by compairison and I was walking riding forever to get places.