Which games? Try mods and especially randomizers for them

https://randomizers.debigare.com/

I used to buy tons of games and I enjoyed them all. These days I rarely buy any, unless it's something that's really got my attention. But I've got a ton of old games to play.

Which games?

There's no wrong or right way to enjoy games, and so many ways to find enjoyment in those games. Some people love the novelty, or the stories, graphics, music...

Based on the favorites you've mentioned, I feel like you really enjoy specific mechanics or the physical experience/practice of the game. Back in the day, I could spend hours running through Diablo 2, and that was entirely based on button mashing and running. Something about its pacing, interface, and the match of its challenge with my coordination just hit exactly right - difficult enough to be rewarding, easy enough that repeatedly dying didn't frustrate me, and always another fight just seconds away. I played that for years.

Now that game launchers track my time, it's really obvious that I like certain games for their mechanics - mostly Skyrim & Fallout - other games for sandbox/crafting - Valheim, Rimworld, X4 - hundreds of hours in each, even though I'll try other games, at least long enough to finish their stories, once. Sometimes just because I paid for it & feel obligated to get to the end. It's OK to have favorites.

I have the same thing but with music

I have a single “like” playlist with ~30 songs and 3/4 of those are only different covers/ arrangements of the same 3 songs

I’m the same way. I just want to live in those stories until I’ve played them and replayed them so much that the feeling goes away. Currently: cyberpunk.

That sounds wonderful to me, as long as you have fun with your favorite games and the other content. You save a lot of money and, more importantly, time.

You see a new game as an investment. Nothing wrong with that. There's different genres to games and once you've explored them it can be hard to put up with something you feel you've already played and that one of your favorites did better. You're probably at the point where you'd have more fun playing with friends / exploring an mmo. Stay curious and be bold.

I don't think there's anything wrong with it. The genres I like keep getting new games, but if most games now were precision platformers or MMORPGs, I'd read more lol.

Just try to hold back the good ol days mentality, try new stuff if it catches your interest, and let yourself enjoy your 10000th replay of your favorites? You aren't against new things entirely, after all. You just don't make yourself play games you don't like. Somewhere out there is an indie developer with similar taste, also frustrated they can't find a game they want to play, and I hope you find them and add a new game to your list.

@mohab Eh. I like what I like, which is relatively narrow, and the major industry quit catering to me 30 years ago. Luckily indies picked up the torch that AAA threw away.