Why would Microsoft remove the beautiful Aero Glass effect and replace it with flat colors and cheesy translucency?

I know. So what?

The thing is, it's still leaving the true PC gamer behind. And the aesthetics are only a single, unconscious step into leaving us behind. They say that innovation must happen, but this isn't innovation, it's lack of creativity. We are entering a more uniform, monitored world. While there are times to be uniform, and monitoring should be present, you can't be uniform for everything and monitoring must be balanced with freedom. I strayed a little off topic, but for something as insignificant as aesthetics, let us choose. As I said, good aesthetics should not be noticeable. For me, I have a mindset that all computers should have interiors that look like they're from nuk3town, and others prefer a simpler design. Either way, it should be sleek and clean, something in my opinion, metro and aero both excel at. Now, I prefer aero as Virtual reality seems more fitted to natural look, but whatever. It's their choice. And that feeling should go both ways. This problem is so insignificant yet a) noticeable, and b) easy to fix that this problem should have been fixed like several weeks after Win. 10 came out. Heck, I don't like these 2 themes myself, but Luna and Win. Classic should be included as well. Aesthetics are small things and the user should decide what they want out of their computer UI. It's not even a question, let the user decide. And not just UI. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Isn't this why people prefer PC? Yes, there's good gaming (I know plenty about that) but really, compared to Apple, Microsoft PCs are (were) customizable. Freedom. User's choice. A word to Microsoft in general (not metro centered), but there is a time to innovate, and a time to stand against bandwagoning. You would rather lose your loyal current audience just to please others? Harm your core audience, push them out, and fill the seats with "cool kids" and "hip oldies?" I'm already feeling betrayed. Plus, Metro is over 6 years old. So was Aero when it was abandoned. You with me?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder . . .

This is all a discussion about aesthetics.  It may be disguised as a choice discussion, but truly, it is aesthetics.  

Other products (in all worlds of products) change look/feel and do not give options built-in to go back to the old look/feel.  The choice of using/not using/finding an acceptable work-around/using a different product still exists.

Those who make the products choose the options available and none have satisfied 100% of possible customers nor will they likely ever do so.

Personally, I actually prefer Windows 8 over 10 in terms of looks. This is the age of VR, and regardless of what device you use, VR is the future. VR needs to look realistic, right? Now, Metro theme can be cool if done right. But the Windows 7 aero is what's cool to me! It's like a silver spaceship - and not one from the 90s. It's pristine, light, nice...

Ok, the problem with Aero is that is only works with backgrounds that are blue, and a very saturated blue for that. I tried to look for some "Aero compatible" wallpaper, but the only one that works with Aero is the boring base desktop wallpaper. (I need photoshop! I can get rid of the Microsoft logo and add a super cool spaceship on that wallpaper!). When Aero is paired with any other color, specifically warm colors or gritty colors that most hardcore gamers like and use (yeah.) it becomes ugly and distracting. And I do know that 3d elements aren't always good - look at this garbage:

https://www.imperica.com/images/stories/photo/0194/1001/au-al-0194-1001-04.png

The thing I hate about metro is well, more links here:

http://blog.usabilla.com/wp-content/uploads/Mark-Boulton-Design.png

See, it's too featureless. Too grey, no color.

When you said it looks like flash gordon serials, it might have been because of your wallpaper, or perhaps you monitor is weak. The best way to do 3d elements (in my opinion) are like what I said. Like the interior of a silver spaceship. In houses that look like this (CoD Black Ops 3 spoiler!):

http://i.imgur.com/kwlXtVh.jpg

Aero/aqua/whatever is best, but for these kind homes:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d0/59/9a/d0599ab57ea81b6bb6746ea1bd697233.jpg

the place screams, METRO! 

We can agree on one thing though. Beautiful UI should be so pretty, we don't even notice it. And if you like Merto, that's great. But we feel like we're being replaced and pushed out, you get it? Metro should have been an alternative to Aero, not a replacement. See what you think of this.

I agree with the Windows XP though. Back then, Apple was so much better than Windows, I don't know how XP got off the ground.  I'm not saying XP's bad, just that back then, Apple was sooooooo much better.