Ingredients and reviewing

I was wondering about the ingredients. What are your personal viewpoints about the incredients? Do they necessarily have to be involved in the game mechanics or can they be used only as the theme of the game?
I like to think them as a thematic component rather than a guideline towards creating the game system around the ingredients. I'll be reviewing the games from this viewpoint, although good mechanics are good even if you name them after the ingredients.
I like to think them as a thematic component rather than a guideline towards creating the game system around the ingredients. I'll be reviewing the games from this viewpoint, although good mechanics are good even if you name them after the ingredients.