Hype: The opium of the gamers…
What separates the good ones from the mediocre? Well, I can name some characteristics from the top of my head:
Imagination, Craftsmanship, Storytelling, Characterization, Feeling, Depth, etc…
When you come up with something new, you'll attract attention. Everyone will look your way whether they liked what you crafted or not. Either way, your creation is unique, and you will most certainly be praised for innovation.
When you sit down to make a game, you could use an old engine, or start from scratch and create a whole new one. You could let you imagination run free, and there's no telling what you might come up with.
Not every story requires a "One upon a time… And they lived happily ever after…" scenario. A story can be told in numerous ways, but as long as it all makes sense and sucks the audience in; it would have fulfilled its role. Vice versa: Not every game requires a story, but those which lack one won't really convey a message.
When you're playing the protagonist, does he really need the ability to talk?
Yes, if the creator wants you to become attached to him, because the latter ability gives your hero character regardless whether you like him or not, and no, if the creator wanted you to focus on the gameplay rather than on the story.
While playing the game, everything should feel right. Whether it has to do with the basic mechanics or gameplay elements, you should be able to tackle obstacles with the right tools and make it satisfying at the same time, but once the latter is used over and over again, will it still be satisfying in the future, or will you toss it away for something more original?
Depth to me is priceless. If you're a hardcore gamer, I'm pretty sure a game you've played at some point affected, or might have even changed you life. Not all games come with trigger-happy protagonists and enemies. Not all games focus on the big explosions and mayhem. War, sex, and gore sell, but these attributes are being abused for profit rather than depth. Quality is being ignored, and eventually, when a game with the slightest originality and innovation is released, you see gamers run to it like sheep to the pasture. What kind of standards has the gaming community set for itself?
Now ask yourself this:
Is shooting hordes of zombies running your way something new to the gaming industry? Are Francis, Louis, Bill, and Zoey important? Do they have unique attributes and characteristics? Can they say more than five sentences each? Have you been attached to them?
Brutality is fun. Killing is fun. Gore is fun. But how long will it keep satisfying you? Will your lust for zombie blood be quenched after the millionth zombie, or will it never be quenched? What message has this game conveyed? Has it taught you something new?
Have you been touched by its story? I can answer that for you: No, because there is no story to begin with. That will only leave you with three types of weapons, two types of explosives, and one type of pistol to take on infinite hordes of zombies running your way.