Thanks for proving my point DTG, those are not universal.
Wii Sports doesn't have a storyline, but that doesn't stop it from being the biggest thing to happen to gaming since Mario 64.
Difficulty? what are you smoking? Some people don't want difficult games, they play them to relax and enjoy, not to struggle. I like some of my games to be difficult, but others I don't
As for length, the highest ranked game this generation should be Mario Kart: Wii - I have 250 hours clocked on it.
Ok, I would mark all games based on a few universal factors
Fun - the more fun it is, the more points
Unique - is it something new. Some allowance is made for sequels here, but it still needs to at least improve on the previous game
Presentation - good menus, easy to find the mode you want
Sound - music, speech and sound effects should be good, or at least not annoying
And then some depending on what type of game
Graphics - some games should look pretty
Length/Replay Value/Multiplayer - good value for money
Plot - only for RPG, shooter and the like. Most genres don't really need it
We clearly have different tastes in games, and yet reviewers judge games based on how much you would enjoy them. Hence I do not listen to them