Im tired of collecting and managing. Im playing Ghost of Tsushima, and I just cant let myself enjoy it because I obsessively do side quests and find stuff to upgrade. Honestly all the big adventure games these feel like they pull from the same formula, its all just different skins for The Witcher 3. This is why fromsoft games are so much more memorable imo, look at the experience playing sekiro vs ghost of tsushima.
Sounds like you're just not playing the right genre. Have you considered Metroidvania games? The progression of items and abilities it tied directly to progress through the game(won't necessarily say story but often times it is tied to story). You also don;t have to play the game with the best gear. Do what you find fun in a game, whether or not it's how the game was supposed to be played.
I have to play the newest games on my big tv sorry its a status thing