The main difference is that the sets and instructions got way more complicated and elaborate. So much so that they stifle and discourage the creativity instead

The main difference is that the sets and instructions got way more complicated and elaborate. So much so that they stifle and discourage the creativity instead of feeding it. The first set I had was a minuscule "mineral detector" from the space set - https://media.brickinstructions.com/06000/6841/001.jpg https://media.brickinstructions.com/06000/6841/001.jpg There were 6-step instructions [2,3] AND there was a separate page with what else was buildable from the set [4]. That was the Lego magic ingredient, the most crucial part. It forced one to look and think and imagine how those extra models were put together. That, in turn, kick-started the process of trying other things. Above all, all of it was simple. So when you got more sets you'd look at the instructions as a starting point only and then dive right into building the alternatives. Modern sets have none of that. If anything, they basically demonstrate that you can't possibly come up with the thing you are building on your own. No way. And whatever you can put together will be so inferior in comparison that it's not even worth trying. It's really sad what Lego did to itself, because it was something magical :-/ [2] https://media.brickinstructions.com/06000/6841/002.jpg https://media.brickinstructions.com/06000/6841/002.jpg [3] https://media.brickinstructions.com/06000/6841/003.jpg https://media.brickinstructions.com/06000/6841/003.jpg [4] https://media.brickinstructions.com/06000/6841/004.jpg https://media.brickinstructions.com/06000/6841/004.jpg