the best way to play a game is strictly up to the player

This is always the right answer. There are very real, tangible benefits to using a CRT that isn’t just nostalgia - but anyone saying it’s the “only” way to game is just gatekeeping. I say this as someone who owns like 10 CRTs and moderates [email protected].

I do the best of both worlds, a component-input CRT paired with a hombrewed Wii to emulate retro games in their original resolution with minimal lag. If your setup keeps you happy, then that’s all that matters.

I don’t know your personal tastes, but if I had to recommend one recent game to help anyone break a rut, it would be Hi-Fi Rush.

Too many games, especially those in the AAA space, are more focused on being bloated engagement treadmills over simply being fun, concise experiences. I’d recommend seeking out shorter, offline games that don’t rely on RPG elements. It’s also ok to just take a break from gaming altogether.

A loose analogy would be to compare it to a restaurant kitchen. The kitchen serves up food for customers dining in (official Reddit app) but also has a takeout window (the API) which anyone can use to get their food without having to go into the restaurant (3rd party apps).