It's not a novel idea that all great art is in some way disruptive or transgressive. If you're aiming for art with cultural relevancy you've got to push some kind of boundary, mechanical, technical, or social.

If you have an culturally oppressive environment, whatever flavor, you're going to struggle to make great art.

Compelling to a significant demographic maybe? “Controversial” can include violent. Seems like those games tend to be technically amazing, as well as particularly entertaining / humorous if that’s your thing.