I recall watching Hello Tomorrow which was a quirky atompunk themed comedy from Apple. It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t especially funny - but it had a charismatic affable liar as a lead that you found sympathetic despite his sleaze, and gave huge pre-war Fallout vibes. Apple silently cancelled it some time ago.
I would also argue Peacock’s attempt at Brave New World. Reimagined for the modern era (because really it had to be) and probably took more from Westworld than it did Brave New World, but it was doomed by being a Peacock original.
.hack//SIGN was one of my favorite anime growing up. I was so excited for SAO when it came out. It had great animation, great music and sound design, great world building. And then the blandest, most Gary Stu protagonist, with the least engaging plot.
The forest level/area especially, when Kirito and Asuna “settle down” in the cabin and just try to enjoy a bit of a normal life. That called to me so much, it got me interested in playing MMOs again. I wanted that “live life, but in a video game” aesthetic in some form of media.
And then I discovered Log Horizon.