I want to rip off other games. Thread

So I feel compelled to rip off games like Half-Life and Resident Evil 4. Not only do I want to take the gameplay but the settings. A while back when I was younger and in the midst of the project I was able to copy these games easily. The only problem was story transition. Because my game is a long episodic game. But I felt more motivated back then because the games seemed so simple and sweet in theory because they where so inspirational and immerse.
Like Unreal, Quake,Dead Space, Silent Hill, or Gears of war. And of course the modding community. But then later gamers became picky. Anything that wasn't Doom was just another call of duty clone.

I liked RE4 because it's atmosphere, characters,setting, over the sholder shooting,setting,puzzles,content, SH elements, and level Design.

I liked Half-Life because it had a good level design, setting, story telling, and puzzles,

My friend says I should choose at least 10 levels of the many levels in the game. And try to improve on them.

I can feel more motivated to come up with ideas like Skyrim, Devil May Cry, or 90's Resident Evil. Because, they are so cliche done to death.

My many questions are, Should I just keep it bland and simple at first and then develop it more? Should I just write the script? Should I stop over thinking and distance myself from the issue. Should I use setting replacement? Am I too narrow viewed? Should I broaden my ideals?Focus on one at a time? Should I provide filler levels? Should I just improve from the original games. What should I do?

I don't want it to be too big.

If I wanted a bigger game I would just make another game. A sequel even.

Anyway, if you are confused on my game here then you should read this.
Indiedb.com It has both third and first person shooter levels.

I just wanted to get this the thread out of the way to help get over my problem I had for so many years. After this, there will be no threads like it.

Do what you want to do, isn't your concept mixing game ideas into one? Just chose at least 10 levels, or more if you want, then work over them one at a time. Just don't view things too afar because you're going to step into a mine and just blow up with the idea. Many developers gave up because of grief and temptation, and so they failed their mods, what i do for MY compilations, i'll take an example on what i did to Charlie Oscar Delta, is focus on small things first : first the mod was going to be a small multiplayer skin conversion, but it became a total multiplayer conversion, then a small singleplayer skin conversion and then a total singleplayer and multiplayer conversion. You must have a LOT of free time because my mod took 2 years, and i HAD free time. Imagine if you don't, it would be 4 to 5 years to make. However, i'm not citing this to discourage you or anything, but the point is, don't see too much further ahead because you won't be seeying what's behind or what's in your side. Just focus on what's necessary and then focus on the details. Also, one of the biggest things you need to do a game, is that you should enjoy making a game and actually care about it wile working on it. Wish i'm pretty sure you already do in the first place. But other developers just seem to do bland games like Call of Duty wish are just out for money. Also, be careful with the game tho, if you're going to actually sell it you could be in a big trouble.

You raise many good points. I should choose just 10 levels and work on them. Keep it simple then move on. I can remember when I first started this project the shooter levels where at least 5 levels long. But 3 of them where actually 3D! 2 where shmups. So I guess I am going to have to start from the bottom.

The real problem is the script. I am stuck on it and I want to finish it. Do you think I should write it anyway?

I guess I will just accept the levels I currently have and then move on to something more important.