Noticing the Pattern
Last Tuesday I dug out my old PS2 from storage, coughing through the dust clouds. Plugged it in and popped in GTA San Andreas. That first bike ride through Grove Street hit me like a freight train – remembered exactly where I was in 2004 playing this: mom yelling about dinner while I’m stealing virtual cop cars.
The Experiment Setup
Grabbed three current-gen games people keep buzzing about: Neo Vice City remake, that new Metroid Prime remaster, and Fable Reforged. Set up side-by-side TVs in my basement, left screen running new releases, right screen playing original PS2/Xbox discs.
- Started each modern game’s opening mission
- Immediately switched to 2004 version equivalent section
- Jotted down vibes in my ratty notebook while chewing gum
Playing Spot-the-Difference
Booted Neo Vice City first. The sunset over the beach looked insane – water physics almost real. But then swapped to original Vice City. That cheesy pink sky hit different. Couldn’t explain why until I realized: the new one feels like a movie set, but the old one feels like my damn childhood bedroom with pizza stains on controllers.
Metroid Prime Moment
Tried the same trick with Samus. New remaster has gorgeous reflections on her visor but… where’s the goddamn tension? Flipped back to 2004 GameCube version. Those claustrophobic corridors with creepy music had me holding my breath without realizing. Modern version polished the hell out of it but sandpapered off the dread.
Fable Flashback
Here’s where it got weird. Playing new Fable, kept waiting for that cheeky British humor. Instead got ultra-serious dialogue about monarchies. Jumped to original Fable – within minutes some villager shouted “Your head looks like a butt!” That’s the magic right there! 2025 versions forgot games used to laugh at themselves.
The Verdict
Finished my six-pack staring at the paused screens. They’re trying so hard to bottle that 2004 lightning with better graphics. But watching side-by-side? It’s like comparing canned soup to mom’s homemade stew. Technically improved, but misses the messy soul. My basement still smells like burnt circuits and nostalgia though.