I’m a 51-year-old who used to be really into games like Bladerunner back in 1998 and Rainbow 6 around 2000. Now that I’m retired, I’m looking to get back into gaming but not sure which console or platform to pick up. Also, it’d be great to know what games would be good starting points, preferably something that’ll resonate with my old favorites or just great games in general.
5 Answers
As a fellow older gamer, I highly recommend grabbing an Xbox Series X and subscribing to Game Pass. It offers a ridiculous library of games, and you can’t beat the value. Since you liked classics like Rainbow 6, you might enjoy Subnautica for exploration, Witcher 3 for fantasy, or Red Dead Redemption 2 if you like western vibes and open-world adventures. Game Pass makes trying out these games super easy with no extra cost beyond your subscription.
I’d lean toward getting a gaming PC. Yeah, it’s a bit pricier upfront (though you can snag pretty decent used PCs for around $600), but the flexibility is unbeatable. You’ll get access to basically every game out there, including many console releases now coming to Steam. Plus, with a PC you can do couch gaming if you hook up controllers. Emulation of old titles is also much easier on PC, so you could revisit classics anytime.
If you’re looking for something that blends PC and console experiences, Steam Deck is the sweet spot. It plays almost everything and can emulate many older systems. But if you want raw power and longevity, investing in a mid-range gaming PC is wise — you can run everything and grab killer deals on Steam sales. For games, try Cyberpunk 2077 if you liked Bladerunner, or jump into classics like Mass Effect Legendary Edition and Skyrim. Also, if you like strategies, games like Thronefall or Slay the Spire can be super fun.
The PS5 is a solid choice too, especially if you want something straightforward and stable without a big tech learning curve. It has a great lineup of games, and Sony’s subscription services are pretty good these days. Also, if you’re into Bladerunner vibes, check out The Observer — it’s a detective adventure game with cyberpunk themes and even features Rutger Hauer. It’s fairly chill gameplay-wise and worth its 20-25 hour runtime.
Honestly, if you want a mix of portability and access to tons of games, the Steam Deck is amazing. You can connect it to your TV with their official dock and sync any Bluetooth controller. It runs a variety of adventure and shooter games really well, and if you don’t mind tinkering a bit, you can unlock even more stuff beyond the base setup.
