Are we supposed to imagine those worlds existing, or are we supposed to imagine those elements in our world taken to their illogical conclusions? Say the state using entertainment as a form of control (The Hunger Games) or the state manipulating information as a form of control (1984).

Either way, my main criticism of dystopias is their unmitigated depressing cynicism. The Hunger Games wasn't so bad in that respect. Katniss did succeed in some of her struggles, even though she ultimately lost many of her struggles. Other dystopias aren't nearly as optimistic.