Late 80s early 90s there were literal adverts in the classified section of the paper by pirates where you could buy 100s of games for a set sum (very cheap usually). Often you mailed empty disks to them and the money, and they would return it with games. They would also have monthly printed newsletters about new titles.

*In the US.

Kenshi, and I still am. Before that it was Stellaris. Singleplayer sandbox with modding is basically what does it for me.