I always loved retro-style games, long before I learned that they’re considered retro. I’m not sure what makes them so fun but they completely dominate my gaming nowadays.
Naturally, I became curious about the games that had inspired my favorite titles. I tried many of them, and eventually came to a conclusion: most of the time, retro games are nothing but a historical curiosity.
Ultima 4 has fairly unique concept but falls flat with its roleplaying feeling forced, its bland gameplay and its setting with no originality whatsoever.
Compare this to Moonring. Gameplay rivals many modern roguelikes (the classic definition, so Brogue, not Isaac), great setting that sucks you in immediately, and so so many mysteries.
Ambermoon pretends to be an open world RPG but is actually a linear RPG-lite with combat feeling more like a puzzle (and a wrong solution punishes you by 15 mins of you and your opponents missing each other every turn).
That’s not to say that retro games aren’t important - the modern indies are standing on the shoulders of giants. Yet I can’t say that retro games worth the trouble of getting into them, compared to the polished modern indie titles.
Things that were once revolutionary or novel for the time can only exist in that space for so long. The elements that worked can feel mundane and like a trope by our modern standards. The mistakes will also be only more highlighted over time as well.
Obviously that’s just a generality. Even if those games aren’t as good, it doesn’t mean they aren’t still good and enjoyable.
The sad part is, video games age so much quicker compared to other forms of media. It’s been only 20 years but Morrowind already so clunky that even those who like the game would rather play literally any other RPG over it. 2d games suffer less from this but the lack of accessibility options, unusual controls, technical limitations and their influence on mechanics (e.g. life system) are all still a big problem that gets only worse with time.
Retro games can be enjoyable but whether they are worth the struggle is questionable.
I still like playing Morrowind.
Was gonna say, I was playing Morrowind earlier today.
Hell, every time Bethesda releases a game, I know it wont be two weeks until Im going back to Morrowind.