Yes I have probably purchased hundreds of games over the years, I usually try the demo, read reviews and if I like it I buy it!
Now you have to check out certain sites to find the protection method (online requirement etc) before purchasing, gone are the days of just going to EB and looking through the pile, (and I used to enjoy this), now if you see something you like you have to go over the fine print carefully on the box to find out the type of DRM, even then like this game, nothing is mentioned on the box so you don't know where you stand!
Lets hope, as you say, that this changes and goes back to the good old days!