Challenge is not the fun part of games but it's a up there in making a compelling game under good game design and controls.
It's not a secret to everybody that AAA games are getting homogenized because it could be argued that the blueprint they all use also include the same non obstructive FPS or TPS controls or whatever that we're all used to but old games of the past, even the ones that you have mentioned, each had they're own controls and overcame the limitations of the hardware in their own unique way and that put you into diffrent unique challenges.
This video explains it better because he's way smarter than me
http://youtu.be/jCmmYF4rOwo
Edit: hope this link doesn't piss off Wright :x
.- -... -.-. -..







