Why are people so defensive of this game?

I’ve never seen a fanbase defend a game to the death like this before. I’m not even a hater, I enjoyed the game and while I found it disappointing in some aspects, still had fun. But I’m beginning to get a bit weirded out at the behavior of some fans on here, dying in the hill defending the game from any criticism online.

Going as far as to call reviewers liars and frauds, and attacking anyone that shows mild criticism. Why is there such a fanatical, almost cult like defense of this game?