Innovation meant something in the older days. That's why for example Duke Nukem 3d was so great, it still had 2d sprites as enemies like in Doom, but put more effort when it comes to interactivity with the surroundings and destruction of them. Jedi Knight is a different example. While the graphics weren't that good, the level design is one of the best to this day. Some games were innovative, but it didn't worked with the other elements (for me it was Cybermage).
