When "I" say a "cue plays well", I mean for "ME", not necessarily YOU, because we all have preferences that may not be the "same".
I think everyone pretty much will agree that the cue has to be "solid", so that is a given.
I like a "quieter" subdued sort of hit, like with a softer tip and a ferrule that doesn't make that "cracking sound" when you hit the cue ball. I can play with those, too, I just don't like them.
For me, I will ONLY say a cue plays well if I can "control the cue ball" with it to MY LIKING.
When I say "control the cue ball", I mean into the object ball and then to where I intend it to go on the table for position, or a safety.
If I can pick up YOUR cue and do that on my first couple of shots like I can with MY CUE, I will say YOUR cue "plays well".
If I can't do the same things with your cue that I can with my cue, then I will say "your cue doesn't play as well as my cue". That doesn't mean there aren't things I could do to make your cue play very similar to mine (change tips, ferrule, weight bolt, etc.).