.....could you rephrase that? Seriously, I don't even know what point you're trying to get across. You seemed to talk a little bit about graphics but I didn't find that too strong of an argument....
Also, you asked:
"If they all use the same engine and have nothing we havent seen before whats the point of forking out the money for them?"
Nothing we haven't seen before...?
Counter-Strike: Source- CS:S focuses a lot on user created content, allowing for numerous creative maps and game types. The malleability of the game is something to be admired and is probably the main reason it's still popular today.
[small][sub]An interesting side note, the game is seven years old and right now there are 16,597 people playing. Its peak was 78,045. Today's peak for Modern Warfare 2 was 77,219. It rivals MW2. [/sub][/small]
Team Fortress 2- TF2 is pretty much the king of class-based shooters. Each class is carefully tweaked by Valve so players can have a fair gaming experience. A heavy and medic duo are gunning down Blu team? A well placed sniper shot should even things out a bit. What's that? The sniper is destroying the whole team? Get a Spy in there; he won't know what hit em'.
Left 4 Dead Series- With a group of friends this game, quite simply, is a hilarious blast. It doesn't get much funner mowing down hordes of infected with three of your close pals.
Portal- Admittedly, I haven't played Portal very far in. But, judging by the comments here at The Escapist, it's sort of a big deal.
I respect your opinion, but I just don't see how this is nothing we've seen before.