That make sense?

Yes, it does.

It sounds like the discovery of the mechanics was more rewarding for you as making progress and winning.

I‘m probably just fed up with being the oddball all the time.

Don't be. It is the oddballs of the world that actually the agents of change.

Having read this I would suggest you have a look at Kerbal space program. On the surface it is a fairly simple game but the mechanics of actual space flight are very complex.

A good XKCD about Kerbal.