The exceptions are kind of my point. There used to be those exceptions that were actually hard, in addition to the generally easy games. Now their are no such exceptions at all, and only ease remains.
It just so happens that I like things being a "chore." It grants me a sense of accomplishment, maybe, when I succeed.
The more I read this thread and think about it, the more I realize that it's exploration that I miss most. At least I have GTA4 soon.