I don't think a game being $70 is the problem, I think the problem is that for consoles at retail, for the longest time the industry has normalised the idea of a controlled price for a "real" game. This isn't a natural thing and not something you actually see across the board. Look at any digital storefront, or the pricing for other types of toys or hobby stuff. Usually there's a broad spectrum of prices. Ideally games shouldn't feel that they need to cost [x] just to be seen as a "full game" or to go into retail.
When consumers can see the sort of value you can get for a 10 dollar game, a 15 dollar game, a 20 dollar game, a 30 dollar game, a 45 dollar game, a 55 dollar game, a 70 dollar game, or a 100 dollar game, and differentiate between what it means for them and what they might prefer, then it is far easier to make informed choices based on value and preference.
A company wanting to release a 70 dollar game is fine, but if someone feels it isn't worth 70 dollars there shouldn't be this societal pressure to conform and excuse it because "that's how much all games cost anyway."
Haven't bought a physical game in quite a while now, here's what I've been spending on games in the past few months:
$1 Game Pass PC (new trial subscription):
- Ori 2
- Doom Eternal
- Jedi Fallen Order
$14 Game Pass PC (forgot to unsubscribe, doh!)
- Star Wars Squadron
- Tetris Effect
$23 Judgment PS4 on PS Store
$36 Persona 5 Strikers on PS Store (sale)
$12 Dragon's Crown Pro on PS Store (sale)
$10 Picross S6 eShop
$50 Half-Life Alyx Steam
$10 Thrill of the Fight Oculus Store
$30 The Climb 2 Oculus Store
$40 Lone Echo Oculus Store
With this range of pricing, it's really easy to say no to new games coming out at $70-80 unless I really want to play them right now and have been looking forward to them.