"Generally" isn't accurate, imo...
There have been so many games this gen that delivered on both fronts that saying this is generally the case just isn't true, at least among what would be considered AAA games.
There really haven't. There has been relatively little innovation on the AAA front this generation.
Doesn't matter if they weren't your personal cup of tea. I find platformers like Galaxy and DKCR very boring, but objectively speaking I understand why they've received the accolades they have despite not being my cup of tea.
I also find them boring, but as you say, that is irrelevant. I am not saying this because I don't like AAA games; I am saying this because they are objectively risk averse. Companies have explicitly stated they are risk averse on several occasions (THQ has, Take 2 has), let alone using basic economic principles.