Why are older video games so entertaining, even when they have inferior graphics or inferior sound engines?

[SeekerOfTruth007]

Examples:

Dragon Quest/Warrior 2

Chrono Trigger

Final Fantasy 6/7

Now don't get me wrong, the soundtrack for these games is amazing, but it was on an 8-bit midi card which sucks so bad. :)

I like the older FPS games from 20+ years ago too: Gunz: The Duel, Unreal (I can beat max bots allied against me on Godlike Difficulty without taking damage.) Gunz was pretty bad graphics for it's time even, but had absurdly good gameplay mechanics which reward skill gaps so strongly.

[Chayce]

Simple. It was from a time when games were actually made with passion fueling their drive, not profit. When microtransactions & being able to ship a game that's broken on top of a huge day one update became OK, gaming died. Even with movies and shows. We've seen the same stories be told a million times now. We know what to expect at which specific parts. That's why unless it's a seriously acclaimed show or movie or GTA 6, I can't be bothered for the most part.

[DryGermanGuy]

I'd say because 25-30 years ago there was way more creativity in the games industry. Even smaller studios had a chance to experiment. Today many games are just franchises.

[AI Opinion]

Older video games hold a special charm due to their engaging storytelling, innovative gameplay mechanics, and nostalgic value. Titles like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy offer rich narratives and immersive worlds that captivate players. The gameplay mechanics in classics like Gunz: The Duel provide rewarding experiences that challenge skills. Though graphics and sound were limited, the creativity and heart put into these games ensure they remain timeless and entertaining. 🎮✨

[AviatorTom]

Most older video games are easier to play, and not frustratingly difficult to maneuver.

[sirderpsalot123]

Less focus on graphics, more focus on gameplay.

[NathanDavis]

nostalgia

[SeekerOfTruth007]

No, StarCraft 1 was way better than StarCraft 2, even though Blizzard spent nearly a billion dollars making StarCraft 2. IN fact, Blizzard tried to make the "ultimate RTS" in SC2, but in reality, Age of Empires 3 is a better pure strategy game than StarCraft, even though overall I played StarCraft 1 more than Age of Empires 3, simply because I couldn't find good opponents in AOE3. I've only ever lost one 1vs1 in AOE3 and that was like 20 years ago. I've won a couple hundred 1vs1 and Free For Alls, and I can beat 5 max difficulty bots allied against me on AOE3 as both Dutch and British.

the Music of FF6 and Chrono Trigger was unequaled by anything since then, even though it was composed for an 8-bit MIDI card. People actually go to concerts in Japan and China just to hear a live orchestra play a remix version of the soundtracks so it is not just nostalgia. The old games really were better with better soundtracks. I'ts not just the games I mentioned either.

Super Metroid (SNES) has an incredible soundtrack and some of the best gameplay ever. It's so popular that people pay 500k in charity drives to see Zoasty do a 28 minute in-game timer speed run every year for Awesome Games Done Quick.

[SeekerOfTruth007]

Okay, watch this:

How Nintendo nailed this soundtrack for Lower Norfair in 8-bit midi is beyond me. Later, on Metroid Prime on the Game Cube they just updated this score for Magmoor Caverns, as you'll see.

Lower Norfair:
https://youtu.be/j9j0oinD6xE?si=Mv1ktyMh7tRS5US3

Magmoor Caverns:
https://youtu.be/H5PxjpW0fuc?si=Rp0p8aeJpY2isjpt

[Daytoday79]

They're just awesome