You mean on a personal level or a general gaming community level?

Personal: I played Squarez for over 2 and a half hours last night/this morning.

General: I think the actual gameplay quality of games has slipped greatly over the last few years, probably because this area of a game hasn't been recieving as much attention as graphics, I have to admit, some of todays games do look amazing, but they just aren't as fun as the classics. The best example is Unreal Tournament. I could play the original UT for weeks, its great, it may look a bit blocky by todays standards, but goddammit its fun. I was playing UT2004 a while back, and while it looks flashy, I couldn't stop myself from yawning. It just didn't have that certain something (playability) to keep me interested. Its even the same with story-driven games like Far Cry or Doom 3, both of which look amazing, but both of which bored the crap out of me.

I agree, too much importance is now given to graphics, and too little to plot and actual gameplay. I remember the pleasure I had playing FF5 and 6, the complex plot of FF7, and the love story in FF8. FF9 still was a good game, but I didn't get into it as much as the previous of the series. Side-quests and minigames in particular are obvious ploys to sell guides, in ff8 it's nearly impossible to  figure them out by yourself.

Too much marketing, too little game...

Anybody ever play Xenosaga?

Great graphics. Not very much gameplay. I literally turned on the game once, watched a 30 minute scene, then turned the game off because I was tired of playing. Er....watching. I liked the game for it's gameplay, but I couldn't believe how much I just sat there and watched!!

Developers don't realize that people buy a game to play it, not watch it. Or am I wrong? Are people more attracted to visuals these days? I hope not.

-Em

I have a Nintendo 8-bit that I still use sometimes, many games are still enjoyable, like Dragon warrior and Tetris.

I also have a PSX, this console has a port to plug a Gameshark in the back (yes, I do cheat, so sue me). I'm not planning on getting a PS2 because I'm waiting for Sony's new console to come out, rumor has it that it's due for 2005.

Sometimes I wish that Sony would wait a bit longer before coming out with another console. I never seem to have enough time to enjoy the PS2, especially since I don't get consoles when they first come out because I don't have the money.

-Em

At least Sony made the PS2 compatible with PS1's games. I remember that when the PS2 just came out it was $400 (Canadian), but now you can get one with a remote, 2 controllers, and 2 games for about $250 at Costco.

I like RPGs but don't mind playing them way after they first come out, so I often get great deals on pre-played games or new ones on sale. As for the console, I'll wait and see at least until next summer.