There was a time when I used to play certain kinds of games, and today I find myself enjoying completely different ones. My taste in video games has been changing. Earlier, I loved 3D open-world games, but now I’ve started enjoying 2D side-scroller games. Why is this transition happening? That’s exactly what I want to talk about.
My Gaming Journey
I started gaming around the year 2000, about 25 or 26 years ago. The very first game I played was 1942. I don’t clearly remember the name, but I played it on a CD player my father bought, which came with two controllers and a DVD containing 300 unique games. Unlike cartridge collections where many titles were duplicates, this DVD had 300 different games.
My father used to wake me up in the morning by starting 1942, which was the first game on the list. Later, when I learned how to operate the CD player myself, I explored more titles like Adventure Island and Mario.
By 2005, I got a GBA console with cartridges, I had around 150–200 of them. I played countless games on it before eventually giving it to my cousin. Then in 2007, my father bought me a PC, and that’s when my 3D gaming journey truly began. From that point until 2026, I almost forgot about 2D games because 3D worlds were so fascinating and immersive.
The Shift Back to 2D
Recently, in the past few months, I’ve found 2D games fascinating again so much so that I even bought a Google Play Pass subscription (which hardly anyone buys). The question is: why am I shifting back to 2D?
The answer lies in my experience with modern 3D games. I’ve played countless titles on PC and over 50 games on my PlayStation 5. After playing so many, I realized something: most modern games released after 2020 feel the same. Whether it’s gameplay or art style, they all look alike. The only real difference is the narrative.
Game studios today focus heavily on graphics, trying to make them as realistic as possible. But in chasing realism, they’ve lost unique art styles. As a result, modern games feel repetitive, lacking creativity.
That’s why 2D games appeal to me now. They emphasize unique art styles and creativity. Developers pour passion into them, and you can see their talent shine through. In my opinion, 2D developers are often more artistic and passionate than many 3D AAA developers, who sometimes just follow instructions like robots without adding personal creativity.
Why Artistic Games Matter
Creating a realistic game is easier than making an artistic one. Realistic models can be found online and reused, but artistic games require developers to design unique styles from scratch. For example, Rogue Prince of Persia had an eye-catching art style that took time and creativity to develop.
I’ve always been drawn to artistic things. Even though my academic background was in science and math, I pursued a degree in game development and animation because of my love for art. That’s why I’m shifting toward 2D games, they offer unique styles and gameplay that modern 3D titles often lack.
Looking Ahead
I’ve even created a new channel called Octane, where I’ll live stream unique games with fascinating art styles. I’ve added over 50 titles to my Steam Wishlist, and I plan to buy, play, and stream them there.
This doesn’t mean I hate modern AAA games. I still play them, but I miss the uniqueness they once had. That’s the point.
So, my interest in video games is changing because today’s titles feel too similar, while 2D games remain fresh, creative, and artistic.
