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One of the reasons I like Shogi so much is that you really do exchange
pieces.  'Advantage in the exchange' takes on a whole new meaning, and
there may be additional advantages to sacrificing a piece for the sake of
being able to drop another.  In fact, the very ability to drop makes the
game so much deeper than FIDE Chess, yet the game seems so much more
refined sometimes.

I would suggest that another criterion, overall clarity, be added to the
list.  Sometimes when I read a new variant that has just been posted on
the CVP, I think to myself, 'I bet it's fun when you figure it out!' 
Some games have learning curves the size of Omaha, and I find that a major
problem.

--Jared