I mean, I can only comment based on my own experience. That said, I've played an awful lot of 5e, for going on, what, 8 years now? That's across multiple different groups, scenarios, and styles of play, as both player and GM. So, when I say '5e is like X', I'm using that experience, and comparing it to other play experience. I brought up Apocalypse World as a specific point of contrast, but I could also have mentioned B/X, Blade Runner, or Lancer. Experience can't be replicated, but I don't think mine is completely idiosyncratic.