I think its just the spectacle of being transported to another world. Saw the first one as a teen and loved the world building. Watched the second as an adult and was bored by how repetitive it was and the lack of personality.
I do hope they make a game which more attaches it gameplay more to the lore and fantastastical aspects of the world. Making the focus on military combat and bases was a mistake (Far Cry), they'd be better of setting the next game with a tribe who haven't yet had human contact and just make it full on breath of the wild but with Navi







