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[Crunchbox]

I've had just as much fun this generation as I have had any before. Lots of great titles are releasing all the time and also VR stuff.

I have had more fun and i barely play my Nintendo switch. I feel those who arent cant handle the extra layer of complexity to some modern games. This leads them to say nintendo is the only fun console. I think some modern games breaks them in some way so the fun gets overridden with the brain work required. I think i spent 300 hours in helldivers 2 and was lmao so much during it.

 

[Ceadeus]

They are still fun, but our brain get used to these dopamine shots, it's not satisfied as easily. Just like if you would drink or smoke weed every day, you'll get accustomed.

Take a break for a whole month or two and once you're back you'll crave gaming so much, even playstation games will seem fun.

 

[LRKD]

Nope.

Nowadays games are "fun, but...." They're fun, but it feels like a chore, a job, an addiction, nonsensical propaganda, wanna be hollywood, afraid to be a game, ect.


Now obviously that isn't true for every game, but it has been for the majority of new games, and especially true for AAA games. It's been a growing problem for nearly 20 years and getting worse every year. But there will always be fun games, just got to look harder for them. Or stick with the classics if your lazy : P

 

[Blank Space Invader]

For me, no. I grew up on games in the 80's and 90's. I miss linear level action games with simple controls and no bloat. Everything nowadays is 2 minutes of handholding and then 20 minutes of boring cutscenes and overblown tutorials for too many redundant systems. Modern games are not at all fun compared to older games. I just turned off Monster Hunter Wilds in the first tutorial fight because of how annoying the controls, systems, and prompts are to do basically anything. Why did games get so complicated and clunky?

 

[LordCBH]

I mean I’ve been having fun playing pokemon and Xenoblade on my switch and yakuza on my PS5 sooooo

 

[Hollywood Hitman]

I have literally endless good gaming to be had, I platinumed 18 games last year and had a blast... Always something to play I love it. 45 years now we'll 42 as I started to play games at the age of 3

 

[MMaRsu]

Get a GBA and pimp it out with a new back screen and stuff, thats fun to tinker with

 

[Danjin44]

I just turned off Monster Hunter Wilds in the first tutorial fight because of how annoying the controls, systems, and prompts are to do basically anything. Why did games get so complicated and clunky?

New Monster Hunter games are MUCH easier to control compare to old generation, so if you having a hard time with Wilds then I'm not sure this is "modern game" problem.

 

[No BBC=Anger]

Combine gaming genres associated with other hobbies you'd do like airsoft, motocross, mountain biking, fishing etc. Probably loads of others. Makes it feel more connected and real.

 

[Danknugz]

For me, no. I grew up on games in the 80's and 90's. I miss linear level action games with simple controls and no bloat. Everything nowadays is 2 minutes of handholding and then 20 minutes of boring cutscenes and overblown tutorials for too many redundant systems. Modern games are not at all fun compared to older games. I just turned off Monster Hunter Wilds in the first tutorial fight because of how annoying the controls, systems, and prompts are to do basically anything. Why did games get so complicated and clunky?

it's because people who have jobs working on games feel the need to justify their salaries so they convince the suits all these "features" make the game better and are worth getting paid to develop, but the reality is that most of the time these "features" are just uninspired copy paste from other games which have been successful, and usually are not implemented in a way that makes the game fun, it's just nonsense filler so someone can keep getting paid for making boring games

 

[Wildebeest]

It is true, and it is also deliberate. Games used to be designed with the end goal of making the games fun, but that is no longer what happens. Games are now designed for aesthetics on the "prestige" end. Or on the trashy end to hold your attention so you don't leave with things like achievements, loot gambling, competitive modes, cosmetics, battle passes, and so on. Fun became a dirty word because it doesn't print money or win awards. Also, the obsession with aesthetics is why you can see so many games looking the same, trying to recreate some stock look, or being driven by "representation" of different types of real person, but offer absolutely nothing different or thrilling in terms of gameplay.

 

[CrustyBritches]

Give Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza a shot. Totally ludicrous, old-school fun game.

 

[Durin]

It's always perspective, and what you open yourself up to.

I think if you regularly played the big-budget or first-party titles growing up for most of your gaming diet, you're probably more disappointed these days as AAA titles have less genre variety, innovate less often, trend-follow more often than setting trends, monetize in scummy ways, and many of those larger publishers stopped making their smaller-budget franchises.

That said, you still have some big publishers releasing good content, Japan has been doing great this gen (at least vs the PS3 era), S Korea and China are producing more titles that aren't just live-service slop, and there is a multitude of great AA to indie-budget offerings. I have a bigger backlog now than ever, but you do have to look for the games than just big marketing budgets lobbing them at you. Follow the people that cover the kinds of games you already tend to like.

 

[TintoConCasera]

Yeah they are.

Weed helps I guess. But overall I'd say they are very fun as long as you are playing a decnet game and not something that's either going after your wallet or all your free time.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

I was questioning myself when working on this platinum for Stellar Blade. Doing the fishing, pictures, can collecting. I was starting to feel like wtf am I doing with my life. Especially when I’m just 60% through the campaign.

 

[Danjin44]

I was questioning myself when working on this platinum for Stellar Blade. Doing the fishing, pictures, can collecting. I was starting to feel like wtf am I doing with my life. Especially when I’m just 60% through the campaign.

There are game I absolulty LOVE but never platinum it because i dont do tedious tasks in order unlock trophies because that way I end up hating the game I love.

Go after trophies if its fun to do but if not dont bother.

 

[AJUMP23]

I like them.

 

[RodriGames40]

No issues with a lack of fun whatsoever, games are mostly as fun as they have ever been assuming you know what you're getting into. My only real problem is that the industry's current climate will not allow for more of the stuff I like to be made, which goes against my interests. They are two different things.

 

[Neolombax]

I think I'm having way more fun than I ever have.

 

[Sooner]

Yes

The whole "everything was better back in my day" is a common occurrence for many as they get older, whether it's games, music, movies, etc.

If you realize it's happening, you can choose to not let it make you cynical and you'll be able to enjoy life more.

 

[ReBurn]

Yes.

 

[nemiroff]

Fuck yes!

I'm old enough to have grown up playing Atari 2600 and pinball machines, and I'm having the time of my gaming life right now.

I could see how you're not having fun if you have a black hole in your chest instead of a heart

Anyway, there are of course days when I don't feel like playing a game. But so what, I almost want to say that's how it should be for normal human beings with stuff in their lives.

I'm at about 100 hours into KCD2 now, and I don't want it to end, it's so good..

 

[Humdinger]

I've walked away from gaming for months because of lack of interest. No harm. Gaming isn't important. It's just a distraction, just entertainment. If you aren't enjoying it, go do something that you do enjoy. Come back later when you feel like it. Sometimes, fatigue with gaming can be a sign that you're maturing, that you have more important things on your mind. That won't be a popular opinion here, but it's true.

Keep the focus on what you like, what you prefer. Don't get drawn into hype, the latest game, or other people's opinions. Trust yourself. If you're not enjoying a game, don't waste your time with it. Time > money.

 

[Rickyiez]

Some yes , some no . It's really up to the person

For me I just realized that I can't finish RPGs anymore . Quests felt like a chore to me , while NPC interactions are basically just responses retrieved from database . Maybe one day if the game world felt more dynamic with AI generation .

The last 2 games I finished in all these years are Elden Ring and Silent Hill 2 Remake while playing multiplayer games like Apex and SF6 . These are the only fun so far

 

[Crayon]

Another one.

Can you actually play older games and have fun? Or do you have the same problem?

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

They exist.

 

[hemo memo]

Indie/AA games are where you ignite your love for the hobby:

Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Tunic
Stray
Cult of the Lamb
Sea of Stars
Hi-Fi Rush
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Inscryption
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
Eastward
Neon White
Cocoon
Dave the Diver
Viewfinder


Just to name a few.

 

[Arachnid]

RE4make was the most fun I've had in a video game since MGSV. Plenty of gems come along here and there.

 

[MikeM]

I feel like im more excited for hardware than software. Games are too long, open world, full of fetch quests and the MP side is battlepass on battlepass nonsense.

I spent 100 hours on Rebirth recently and im legit burnt out. I haven’t touched anything in a few weeks now.

 

[NinjaMouse]

I find myself reading about games, listening to gaming podcasts, etc. far more than I actually play them. When I do play them, they often feel like a chore. I'm older and definitely have nostalgia goggles on, but I find myself leaning into retro gaming related content more and more each day.

I think gaming as a primary hobby for me died around the 360/PS3 era and I can't muster up the interest to play much of anything new outside of some CoD multiplayer or Warzone. Even that is primarily a social event for catching up with distant friends.

 

[EviLore]

Playing FF7 Rebirth at the moment and it’s great. The big set pieces are engaging and well written, the characters are likable, lots of quirky minigames, combat systems are well devised and dynamic.

 

[dragonyeuw]

I have alot of fun with games nowadays but I tend to operate on the edges. I'm very judicious about which AAA games I play, try not to get caught up too much in whatever the current zeitgeist is, and mostly stay a few years behind so I don't feel compelled to play anything but what I want when I want to play it. I removed the stress out of trying to keep up with every major release well over a decade ago. So the whole 'this gen sucks' thing falls on deaf ears because I'm more likely playing some game from 2017 on my Legion Go, or looking up what Indies are worth investing time and money into.

 

[Feel Like I'm On 42]

A game that is fun will almost always place moment to moment gameplay at the core of the experience. Far fewer games do that these days and it tends to be either Japanese titles or indie games. And it’s why people love Souls.

Western developers churn out bloated drivel. Narrative belongs in video games in the same way it does pornography.

Lol I agreed with everything you said until the last part. A great story can be the thing that makes a decent game into a great one and vice versa. What about RPG's? They obviously need narrative and characters ...? Narrative isn't important for many other types of games ..."gameplay first" types of arcade games and gameplay experienced derived from arcades. Arcade game design principles are what's dying out and taking many games down the drain with it. Games are getting wayyy too easy too ...for example platformers like Mario Wonder and Astrobot COULD have been amazing had they had some challenge! That's arcade design 101 ...and something the Souls series understands. But then another problem in this industry arises: it's an industry that loves to follow trends ...and so now you get EVERY damn action/adventure with a combat element copying Souls. You get "accessibility" being the new buzzword which all developers outside of the ones copying Dark Souls have taken to mean "we're gonna make our games so easy to beat that ANY body can buy it and finish it". You get games like GoW Ragnarok having Atreus blurt our how to solve puzzles and even where to walk to next! Where is the fun when games treat us like we're idiots?

There's also all the politics, monetization, and greed we have to deal with that sucks the fun out of things. That's something that we didn't have to deal with back in the 90's and 2000's . Sure. It existed to some decree but nothing like today.

 

[Gojiira]

Yeah they still are. This gen has been a slow one but it also gave us Elden Ring, Helldivers 2, Returnal, Armored Core 6,now Monster Hunter Wilds, Idk broaden your horizons and try something new maybe?

 

[TerribleAtThisGame]

I started on the NES and I've consistently been playing games that blow me away. It's harder for me to get excited about basic shit but that makes the highs even higher to me at this point.

 

[{insert code here}]

I am a 90s child.

Grew up on NES -> GameBoy, then to N64 (my first real love with gaming).

For N64 Mario 64, Goldeneye (GOAT), Diddy Kong Racing, Pokemon Stadium, etc. All fun. Gaming as a whole felt fun. Fresh. Exciting.

PS2 was the same way. I think of even moderately received games (not focusing only on massive hits); Matrix, Shinobi, etc. All felt fun.

PS3 did the same for me... at least at the beginning. Warhawk, KZ2, etc. Everything felt fun, fresh with even gritty games having an element of fun (Max Payne, for example).

PS4 - PS5 has had a drop of in that for me. Granted, I am getting older and don't value gaming as much however I don't think that is exclusively the problem. There are small niches of games that come out that scratch that feeling (at least for a time); Rocket League, Fall Guys, AstroBot, etc. But the majority of games today seem to lack the soul, the fun of what they used to contain. I play and enjoy the Finals but I don't get the same feeling. I certainly don't get it in most story driven games today, that all feel clone-ish to GTA when open world, and stale and safe when not (again, there are exceptions - but just in general).

Interestingly, one of the generational examples of this is Red Dead Revolver -> Red Dead Redemption series. Revolver was light hearted, fun, goofy and linear. I don't find RDR to have that kind of soul, instead feeling like GTA out West.

Thoughts? Anybody else feel the same?

Yeah I felt the same way. Also had a similar history of playing almost exclusively on PlayStation platforms up through the PS4 era so, all that considered I can say what worked for me. This is going to upset some people here but it is what it is. I put the PlayStation in a box and started playing my games through Steam and that simple act of switching to PC made games great again (for me).

I also picked up a 3DS and a handful of Nintendo games (Zelda, Mario, Metroid, Kirby, etc.). I never had a DS/3DS so those libraries are new to me. I don't know what your situation is OP but it's something to consider. You don't exactly need a $5000 PC either to make the transition. Anything with a RTX 3050-80-90 should be good enough (??I think??).

Now, TBF I don't play a lot of current games. I have FF7 Rebirth and plan on getting Stellar Blade, RotR, and Doom TDA but most of the time I'm playing older games that I bought during a random Steam sale. That feeling you get replaying a game you first played on PS3/360, but now with Ultra-Max PC graphics is pretty incredible. The Steam/3DS combo is tits for gaming.

 

[VeganElduderino]

madafucking Astro bot was fun as fucking hell

 

[Shifty1897]

Games are still fun, you just don't feel things as strongly as when you were a kid anymore.

Not just love of entertainment, but romantic love, anger, depression, and inspiration too.
All emotions feel stronger when you're young.

 

[JimmyRustler]

I miss the experimentation in AAA gaming. Most releases today are either live-service games or bloated messes. I can't remember the last time I was truly excited for a new release—at least not in the way I used to be. AAA games once had tight stories and well-paced lengths that left me craving more when I saw the credits roll.

Today's games, however, are so bloated in both story and length that, most of the time, I just can't wait for them to end. I recently had this experience with Indiana Jones. By the time I reached Iraq, I was completely done with the game and its story. The stark contrast hit me when I replayed Resident Evil 3 afterward—I finished it in a day! No wonder we used to look forward to games more in the past.

Make games shorter again and leave me wanting more at the end!

And yes, I know about the indie market on Steam. I've tried it. It's not the same, and you quickly get tired of sifting through the trash to find the few gems.

 

[Kumomeme]

i am 90s too but what i understand is perhaps feels lacking of discovering and experiencing of new gameplay as we feel decades ago.

for example most of game nowdays has similliar gameplay. we basically already see most of it. the differences is in term of story, main character and how well everything is wrapped up.

but i think the main factor is we growing up older. as we become adult, we dont has the similliar kind of imagination as we are younger anymore. particularly as a kid. as kid, we are easier to get excited for even little things. we has that kind of energy. that factor + the older game that has bare minimum graphics made we subconciously fill the missing gap piece in the visual by our own imagination. that kind of fun that we are lacking nowdays.

since videogames nowdays has detailed visual, everything is laid up at once and feed to our brain. not mean it bad though. it is only bad if it is a bad game(for example ubisoft games). but at same time it is not easy to find modern game that would scratch our imagination and feeling of exploration as we feels before. those game that manage to do this usually would be highly regarded.

and being adult not only mean we dont has imagination as our younger self too but it also mean we know everything and it affected our enjoyment. we also become more logical. we wont fill the gap with our imagination that easy and we hardly get excited like a kid anymore since we are adult. especially for people that frequent in this forum who knowledgeable about development. this would affect our view as we playing game. its like pro wrestling. knowing the secret behind the bussiness(like kayfabe etc) affected our view and enjoyment.

with new games trend revolving less on gameplay but more on cinematic, boring open world, multiplayer etc also play role. unless those element are very well nailed down.

another important aspect is that as we grow older, we dont has time as we are younger before. before we dont have to worry about life and can just spend time playing game. but nowdays, we occupied with our responsbility in life. all of it also affected our state of mind.

im still enjoying games. but not get excited at everything as before anymore.

 

[duck_sauce]

All seriousness.

I am a 90s child.

Grew up on NES -> GameBoy, then to N64 (my first real love with gaming).

For N64 Mario 64, Goldeneye (GOAT), Diddy Kong Racing, Pokemon Stadium, etc. All fun. Gaming as a whole felt fun. Fresh. Exciting.

PS2 was the same way. I think of even moderately received games (not focusing only on massive hits); Matrix, Shinobi, etc. All felt fun.

PS3 did the same for me... at least at the beginning. Warhawk, KZ2, etc. Everything felt fun, fresh with even gritty games having an element of fun (Max Payne, for example).

PS4 - PS5 has had a drop of in that for me. Granted, I am getting older and don't value gaming as much however I don't think that is exclusively the problem. There are small niches of games that come out that scratch that feeling (at least for a time); Rocket League, Fall Guys, AstroBot, etc. But the majority of games today seem to lack the soul, the fun of what they used to contain. I play and enjoy the Finals but I don't get the same feeling. I certainly don't get it in most story driven games today, that all feel clone-ish to GTA when open world, and stale and safe when not (again, there are exceptions - but just in general).

Interestingly, one of the generational examples of this is Red Dead Revolver -> Red Dead Redemption series. Revolver was light hearted, fun, goofy and linear. I don't find RDR to have that kind of soul, instead feeling like GTA out West.

Thoughts? Anybody else feel the same?

No im not feeling the same.
There are more games than ever and i enjoy playing games very much.
I dont need to play every game and i can endure if a game doesnt meet my expectations without falling into drama and despair

Everything was new back then when i was a teenager playing video games and maybe everything was a bit shinier but i can clearly remember a lot of bad games. I would say the ration of good games to bad games was the same as today.
The difference for me is the fast online media world. Everything is about clicks and generating emotions (negative emotions generate the most clicks) and everyone is very involved in the drama.
Back then there where paper video games magazines and you read about the good games and ignored the bad ones. It was a good way to deal with your emotions on your own instead of going online and start drama and outrage.

 

[Rockondevil]

As somebody a little older than you I'm still enjoying games.

 

[Mattyp]

Games used to be funner because we had no worries then, businesses, mortgages, kids, all you had to look forward to was renting the newest SNES or Megadrive game and having your mind blown.

I still prefer to play older games as I just don’t have the time to finish the length of some of the newer ones, I would love to sink 40 hours into Avowed but that’s impossible with my lifestyle.

Maybe once I’m retired but then I’ll be sitting on a beach in Monaco.

 

[lh032]

Yes, enjoying mh wilds on my ps5 pro

 

[FewRope]

You wont like the answer OP but... you are just getting old

Most games are pretty shit corporate slop nowadays but there's still some really fun games if you look outside the triple A market

 

[Fess]

You have to know your gaming taste and simply skip games you know you normally don’t like even if it is a 10/10 GOTY game.

And likewise, don’t let a 6-7/10 score scare you away from games you otherwise know you enjoy.

We all have different taste in games, it’s really no different from how we like different food or music.

The Ascent, a Metacritic 68 game, was among my absolute top games when it arrived, fit my gaming taste like a glove, absolutely loved it.

And one of my top games last year was Minishoot Adventures. An indie game made by two people where they successfully mashed together top down twin-stick shooting with Zelda ALTTP. Smacked every single big budget AAA game that year except Indiana Jones.

And right now I’m playing Avowed and I’m having so much fun that I’ve literally paused everything else, a game most of the internet seem to hate.

And don’t forget that it’s possible to keep playing your favorites.
My go-to game for the last couple years has been Elden Ring. A rare one where the GOTY status actually fit my gaming taste. It’s the first game in over 3 decades to surpass Super Metroid as the best game of all time. I’m closing in to 800 hours now, no online just single player.

 

[Danjin44]

And right now I’m playing Avowed and I’m having so much fun that I’ve literally paused everything else, a game most of the internet seem to hate.

No one should tell you what games you should or shouldn’t like especially from some random people on internet….fuck everyone else, play what you like.

 

[MrJangles]

The only games I've played in years that I'd actually describe as fun, in that they gave me a sense of wonder and put a smile on my face as I played were Astrobot on psvr and Breath of the Wild on Switch. I've played plenty of excellent games over the same period where I've enjoyed the game mechanics, combat, variety of levels, story, aesthetics but they missed the aforementioned vital ingredients that makes them 'fun'.

 

[pachura]

Animal Well was so much fun!

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Shake things up, OP.

Get gamepass. Get into genres you haven’t tried.

Try Fortnite. Or join a discord server and create a party for Grounded.

So much boredom comes from playing same thing over and over again, that isn’t dynamic like online games.