I read all three and found the first one to be the best. Thinking about it now I think I had the same feeling going into the second half of the first book, it changes tone and setting completely. I initially thought it was doing something like magic realism but explaining it by being a game. The second and third book are much more sociological explorations of humans facing a literal cosmic perspective. I found them alright but I wouldn't recommend it. His short stories are much better.

I liked Book 2 the most, less flashbacks to the past and less emphasis on the Chinese culture/themes. I'd give Book 2 a shot and see if that rekindles the motivation.