When I watch a movie in the fantasy genre, I don't immediately go: "HEY! This is a rip off of The Wizard of Oz"... But If I watch a movie that is pretty much the same story, using the same structure and storytelling mechanics as "The Wizard of Oz", AND when the director of said movie comes out screaming: "DONT COMPARE THIS TO THE WIZARD OF OZ!" I get suspicious. I never said that DR PinkCake "INVENTED THE COLLEGE GENRE" (what a weird statement btw), but when everything in the game (not only the college setting) is similar to a different game, and the creator is afraid of people making a certain comparison it does seem.... you know... odd.
I understand but also object to your argument of "reviewing a game on its own merits"... I get what you mean, but comparison is a very natural part of evaluating art. When we watch a Marvel movie, we immediately compare it to other marvel movies. We rate things through comparison. And for an artist to silence such comparisons is really just censorship, a kind of censorship that hints at foul play.