After playing Borderlands 3, you'll realize how barebones and lifeless the actual gunplay was in Borderlands 2 and the Pre-Sequel.

And if you play Wonderlands, you'll realize how limiting the character customization and leveling is in the previous titles.

You kind of have to play the games when they come out to understand their hype/praise.

...I mean, you could say that about almost every game.

Call of Duty: World at War was revolutionary for its time. The best multiplayer on the market. Introduction to Nazi Zombies. Fantastic campaign-- it's even cooperative! But, if you were introduced to one of the modern titles first, then went back and played World at War, it'd be fine. Not great, not bad, just fine.

Same thing with Red Dead Redemption. Fantastic game. Considered one of the best of that console generation. But if you started with Red Dead Redemption 2, which essentially improved on its predecessor in every single way, Red Dead 1's only offer would be its additional story.