And the contrast gets heightened when you see how poor they are compared to Rogue One and Solo
I disagree with the idea that they’re worse. I personally find them more interesting and entertaining. The spinoffs feel painfully average.
I do agree that Lucas always planned to do some sort of Prequel Trilogy. Obviously the actual details weren’t decided in 1976 or whatever, but the general concept of covering the backstory in films was in place by 1980.