I could be out of touch with my thoughts as well, but as I age I find it more difficult to pick up a console RPG - new or old. Newer games have some issues as you point out, but I feel like some of the older RPGs lose some of their hook in the battle system mainly through expected pacing playing new games. Just pick up KH2 and then immediately go to one and see how much slower it feels to play even though I would admit to enjoying 1 more. What I do feel ages much better are the handhelds. After all these years I can still pick up a turn based Fire Emblem, Advanced Wars, FF: TA, Golden Sun, or Sword of Mana. Admittedly these don't fall into the traps as you describe above, but I feel like the pacing feels more even and what I would expect vs replaying something like Skies of Arcadia years later if that makes any sense.