The audience for classic browser games is much smaller than it was during the golden years. There is no way around that. The market has changed a lot, and browser games are much more small niche today...
But I do not believe the audience has disappeared completely. It is mostly a niche for nostalgic players now, and probably also for people who still enjoy slower, community driven games.
For me personally, a big part of it is trying to preserve this kind of digital game culture and keep it alive as well as I can.
I agree that a modern browser game needs something that gives it its own character, whether that is the theme or the mechanics or the community structure. Simply copying an old formula is not enough anymore. A clear unique idea makes much more sense.
So yes, I believe there is still an audience. Not a huge mainstream audience, but a small and loyal one.. especially if the game can give players that old browser game feeling again. A small escape from busy everyday life and from a modern gaming world that often feels too loud, too fast, and too overloaded. If the game can offer that feeling and still give people a reason to return, I think it can work..😊