Does the type of meditation actually matter, or is any practice fine?

It matters more at the start than later. An experienced practitioner can settle into almost anything. A beginner who picks a style that works against their temperament usually blames meditation itself and stops. If silence makes you uncomfortable, a mantra or a sound-based practice will carry you further than a wordless sit. Would you rather be led? Then guidance beats being told to simply observe. Matching the style to the mind mostly removes an unnecessary reason to give up.