I'm not big into FPS games, so the first few times I got eaten, I wasn't having too much fun.
BUT! Then I started being super careful and wow, I started having a great time. Creeping along, listening so carefully for that (really creepy?) wolf sound, praying I was about to happen upon a wee cactus, squinting into the distance (which felt so much more real with the low-rez graphics) to make sure I was still safe. It conveyed the feeling of stalking dangerously through the desert perfectly.
Plus, the music was just really nice! I have to admit though, I did not... slay the beast... I was eaten a lot...