That is not me saying that. That is the latest episode of Extra Credits. A very intelligent and insightful look into the understanding of this art. This week they talk about why all games do not have to be fun.
I agree with it! If all games were fun, then Spec Ops The Line, and The Last of Us (while it was fun) would not really be here in a since. Spec Ops is a game where it shows you that real life war and conflict is NOT fun and is downright haunting. Now, imaging the White Phosphorus scene being depicted as "FUN".
-
I think there are mixed definitions of 'fun'. For something to be fun, it doesn't have to be colorful and joyous with fast gameplay. For me, a game with great scriptwriting and beautiful worlds is fun. It doesn't have to be like a roller coaster to be fun. Things like 'A Beautiful Mind', 'Grave of the Fireflies', etc, though they are not happy, they are fun to watch. Basically, the reason I wrote this is because people have different definitions of fun, as is apparent in the comments. Your example, 'The Last of Us', is not a colorful, happy, game, but it's one you want to return to because it's, by one definition, fun (something you get enjoyment out of).