I didn’t notice it at first.
I was just playing what I felt like playing.
Then I took a step back and realized…
I’m playing Uncharted 4 again.
I’m about to load up The Division 2 for the first time in years.
And the “new” game I’ve been playing is Retro Rewind: Video Store Simulator… which is literally built around the 90s.
That’s not random.
That’s a pattern.
It Kind of Just Happened
I didn’t go searching for older games.
I didn’t say, “I’m in a nostalgia phase now.”
It just slowly shifted.
One day I wanted something story-driven, so I started Uncharted 4 again.
Then I caught myself thinking about Division 2 after the recent player spike.
And then I’m sitting there managing a fake video store from the 90s while talking to chat.
At some point, you’ve got to acknowledge it.
@channlerg We found Waldo… and he rented movies from us. No big deal… #retrorewind #retrorewindgameplay #whereswaldo #foundhim #videostoresimulator
It’s Not That Games Were Better
I don’t think games used to be better.
I think I just used to have more time.
Back then, I could lock in. One game. Hours at a time. No real pressure to be anywhere else or do anything else.
Now everything is split.
Even when I’m playing something I like, part of my brain is somewhere else:
- thinking about content
- thinking about what I should clip
- thinking about what’s next
So it’s not the games.
It’s how I’m playing them now.
These Games Fit Different Parts of My Life
Looking at it now, each one kind of makes sense.
Uncharted 4 is just story.
I don’t have to think about anything else. I can just play through it and be in it.
The Division 2 is different.
That’s more of a “play with people” game. It’s not about being perfect; it’s just running around, talking, doing some fun missions together.
Retro Rewind is the easiest one to overlook, but it might say the most.
It’s slow. It’s simple. It gives me space to talk to chat without needing to lock in every second.
And it’s literally built around nostalgia.
That part isn’t subtle at all.
@channlerg Crash Bandicoot Crash Out #uncharted4 #nathandrake #crashbandicoot #throwback
The Part That Doesn’t Make Sense (But Does)
These games are more difficult to get content from.
Way more difficult.
There’s no constant action. No easy clips. No obvious “this will go viral” moments.
You actually have to sit in the game.
Which doesn’t always line up with how content works.
What Is Happening To Me?!
I don’t think this is about going back in time.
I think it’s just where I’m at right now.
Less interested in forcing high-energy, high-output sessions all the time.
More interested in:
- playing something I enjoy
- having space to talk
- not needing every second to turn into content
And when you look at the games I’ve been playing lately, they all check that box.
Even the “new” one is built around an older era.
That’s not a coincidence.