Revisiting Hong Kong in "Sleeping Dogs"
Car Races and Bike Races which are actually fun.
Street Vendors/Food&Drink Vendors which serve a function in the game.
Mano-y-mano combat including using devices is well done.
Use of environment for finishing moves.
Parkour is nicely implemented.
The city in general feels alive and does not have a Potemkin Village feel to it.
If somebody could create a game which mixes Ghost Recon Wildlands and Sleeping Dogs with a sprinkle from Hitman or AC (esp. stealth using crowds, finishing moves using garrottes etc.) It would be excellent.
Then add in squad control from GR Advanced War Fighter or GR Future Soldier for tactical missions with NPC squad members.
Have the game set in urban, rural and wilderness environments.
Write a worthwhile story which branches according to decisions of the player. Have the story switch between tactical and mystery/investigation missions.
Create or use a present day or hard scifi near future neo-noir setting and take my money
P.S.: seems I do not have to mention I prefer 3rd person