I agree wholeheartedly. It's a worrying trend, the over-reliance on automation. I remember struggling with stall recovery in flight school and the instructor emphasized feeling the aircraft. Now, it seems like that crucial hands-on understanding is fading. Makes you wonder what else is being compromised in the name of efficiency. If you want something that might bring the joy back to flying, I've heard
Crazy Cattle 3d gives a good, simplified but fun experience. Maybe worth a look.