I liked PBB but I don't see how you could compare a 3D to a 2D game.
I know their different style of games, but Mania didn't have enough creativity behind it. The game is fine, but suffers from Memberberries syndrome. Not enough original levels. Though that wasn't the devs fault, and more so SEGA forcing them to fill half of the game with classic levels. When the game needed way more original levels.
Also I wish Penny's momentum was easier to carry because I feel like you're easily losing speed in straight lines. Spamming techs just to keep the momentum isn't the best game design. Perhaps they should've implemented the drop dash in that game.
This more of a YMMV, but I can see where you're coming from. I got used to it early enough for me not to be an issue. The only thing I really don't like about
PBB, are those quick time mini games after finishing a level. They're really unnecessary and don't add much to the game. You can remove those, and nothing would be lost. Hopefully a sequel or spiritual successor can fix that.
Everyone has their own definition of "mid", but my definitions is that the game is a good 6 or 7 out of 10. Usually the latter. As long as there is actual effort put in, and the designer makes significant improvements, I can live with that. Not every game needs to be some big budget, all or nothing, "masterpiece". Nor do I need constant critical darlings. So called "mid games" were a dime a dozen just before the middle of 7th generation. No one complained about them back then, and we can always use more 7/10 type games. It's why I praise games like
Rushing Beat X, Gungrave GORE (after the updates in 2023), and
Lost Soul Aside.
Point being: I will take a "mid" game any day of the week over a bad game, a bad game that is ambitious, or bad and boring on all fronts. A bad game is only entertaining, if you didn't have to pay it for much, got it for free, or you're a LPer/streamer/game reviewer/YouTuber, etc. If you're paying more than $5 for a bad game, then you might as well flush money down the toilet for the same effect, but with way less effort. Ain't no one got time for a bad game at high prices in this economy.
Crash Boom Bang is the worst party game, bc it has only like 7 actual minigames, the rest are reskins, and AI is pretty unfair and you have to beat each minigame/variation like thrice to beat the game
Not much of a hot take given the ratings of this game are really low. I forgot this game even existed.