OK, I could write a column about this topic. A whole editorial. But rather than wax philosophical, I'll give you my two favourite games (series) and let you do the thinking.
Touhou and Orbiter.
While all of you know Orbiter, few of you know Touhou (skip this part if you do).
It's what's called a Danmaku shooting game (a series, actually), a genre all of its own, and takes place in a fantasy bubble world full of demons, youkai, faeries, gods, vampires, and young virgin girls in a virgin land. It's a combination of Eastern and Western myths, religions, and culture, and there are deep meanings and symbolic ties involved.
But don't get the wrong idea- this is a frantic arcade shooting game with no time to meditate on the background scenery during stages. You need lightning-fast reflexes, instincts, and intuition to make it through the beautiful, and deadly, bullet curtains. You are basically playing fireworks.
"What!? This is nothing like Orbiter!" You're right, it's almost the extreme opposite. But what makes them fun? None of the same things; almost nothing carries over.
On one hand, there's fantasy, speed, reflexes, patterns, and cuteness; on the other hand, realism, serenity, planning, calculation, and...Duralumin. Vibrant, colourful story and characters; or no story and characters at times. Constant movement; or the silence of space. Atmosphere; or void.
Even I'm not sure why I like them both. That "what!?" was not a rhetorical question!
I think I'll entrust my number one bro to follow me up on this, because I don't have a conclusion. Or a good video to explain Touhou.
River Crab, out! :tiphat: