Auto-translated
1) Positive
2) Strategies, RPGs (if we're talking about computer games; I don't like card games or board games).
3) I think it's similar to filmmaking. The genre, plot, style, and everything else are chosen in the same way.
4) An interesting plot, beautiful visuals, originality of the idea, gameplay, music. In short, everything that can be evaluated.
5) Heroes of Might and Magic 3, possibly also 5, Rome: Total War, Civilization... I don't know which one, let's say 4.