I was there and I get your meaning. I experienced the original demo scene of the 80s and 90s and the only difference I see, and the one you are pointing out, is the medium used to express this form of art has changed over the years for purely technical reasons. It all takes talent. It's just a different medium that's being worked with today than it was back then. Those of us old enough to remember the 80s and 90s also have a feeling of nostalgia that goes along with it. One day those young enough today will look back on today's demos when they are older and feel that same sense of nostalgia that we do for the 80s and 90s stuff.