When I hear about a new game, I usually read the first sentence or two on Wikipedia. I rule out games described as certain genres or types, like soulslike or online-only multiplayer games. Then, I check reviews on a site like Metacritic. If the critic or user reviews (doesn’t need to be both) are good enough, I add it to a list to play.
I also do this with movies and tv. Obviously, with sequels/series I know a little bit more about the games/movies/shows but I still go in as blind as possible.
The only other part that gets close (but is never quite the same) is watching other let’s plays as people ponder, explore, and have those AHA moments. And experiencing second hand the emotional roller coaster as they realize something and then uncover something that completely changed their understanding again.
Eelis on YouTube does Supercuts of those and every now and again I’ll watch one just to experience it vicariously through them.