The new and fun ideas tend to get ruined with bad design choices and there are loads of lame clones and examples of established gameplay models with new twists.
I couldn't agree more. And it's because when you have 1 person writing/coding the game solo, he's just assumes his ideas are great and goes with it. He doesn't ask for feedback and if he does he takes the criticism personal and doesn't make any changes anyhow. That's a huge drawback to indie games made/designed by the solo coder. Two heads are better than one...no doubt.
EDIT:
It seems like the indie games that get finished are all clones, bad ideas, or otherwise lame.
YES!! You're reading my mind! And the ones that get finished are clones because...no one takes the time to come up with original game ideas! Sometimes reinventing the wheel is a good thing...
I have the ability to create a clone of successful puzzle game very easily. But I'd rather come up with something original. Even if it means never releasing a game ever in my life.