1. Strong, Explorable, and Realized Game World - Is the setting filled to the brim
with lore? Are the people's and places that inhabit unique, engaging, or creative? Can I explore and discover the little nuances of the world? What makes it different?

2. Beautiful Art Direction - So much of what makes an RPG great is immersion. Is the game visually arresting? Does it evoke a sense of wonder and fantasy? Do I feel emotionally and physically engrossed in the visual design of the game?

3. Good Writing - Whether it's an open-ended game a la Fallout or something more akin to Final Fantasy, is the plot and dialogue presented in a coherent, cohesive, and engaging way? Does it resonate emotionally or does it make me think? Does it ask philosophical questions in a new way? Does it surprise? Does it inspire?

4. Complex and Strategic Combat - It's excellent to have a lot of options at one's disposal: weapons, characters, skills, attributes, spells, formations, equipments, etc. Are there a variety valid of valid options to choose from in combat? Does the game offer a degree of challenge that scales reasonably but is unpredictable enough to warrant experimentation, and yes, even trial and error? Do I feel like combat is something to look forward to or is it just a burden?

5. Character Development, Preferably Mechanic and Narrative - Do the characters develop in interesting ways, both in plot and gameplay? Can I have a lot of options in how my characters advance in ability? Is it reasonable to create a team of specialists or try to cover as many bases as possible? Are the character endearing, or at the very least, interesting? Do they bend and break to the drama of the narrative? And are these two approaches to character advances perfectly capable of co-existing in a fully fleshed-out and complete way?