Regarding ano0's spoilered stuff, I still feel the same way. But when I finally got around to setting those personal feelings aside and giving the game a chance it absolutely lived up to the hype.
Like, yes, part of that hype is the accessibility-oriented features and design +
the central themes of depression and anxiety
so it became one of those "you need to play this/follow this example" games in progressive circles. But both are handled well, and even setting those things aside you still have smooth and satisfying gameplay, fantastic aesthetics, and plenty of secrets and extra challenges besides the main game.
The game may not revolutionize the genre in a big way but it definitely stands on its own merits and there's still a lot one can learn from it, in terms of game design as much as other stuff.
that being said, chapter 8 can go suck a potato