Great story + convincing characters + awesome gameplay + awesome graphics = greatest game ever

The problem is that each of those variables are subjective... except for maybe graphics (although art direction is subjective).

Nope. The "greatest games ever" have this extra quality that really can't be summed up. They make you go "Wow!" and then you KNOW you played a great game. Those factors alone won't do it.

The formula should be more like this: eggs + flour + sugar + cream + bananas + jelly + strawberries + vanilla + butter + Baking powder = Cake

:D

No not at all....

Ummm...sure..

You are missing music.

Don't forget about marketing! That also plays a huge part in the equation. Gears of War and Halo can answer that question for you.

+ hundreds of gaming hours + replay value

The cake is a lie!