All true, looked in retrospect - which is quite unfair since they all derive their core gameplay from BG.
For its time however, BG was much more successful at combining gameplay elements. The story was nice, the characters interesting, the combat good. Compared to it the rest all have things sticking out, and some like JE or ME are partly broken.
First honest thing you said, ever.
Sure lets ditch the rest of the pointless stuff and just put in a hoop and stick instead. That sure clears out any possible distractions.