Graphics should count in reviews i feel.
But for me, the question is whether the style of the graphics suit the actual game, and whether the graphcs detract from the game in a bad way.
For instance, Tetris and minesweeper are games played by millions, but don't need fancy 3000 fps bazillion bit color depth running with multi billion polygon models.
Would a photo-realistic JRPG even make sense? but a war based FPS would be fantastic if it was photo-realistic, or a sci-fi based one that looks like it was made on real sets with sfx.
The best graphics (or special effects in movies) for me are those that aren't necessarily noticed, but fit perfectly and don't ruin the immersion.
Glitchy graphics I'm not keen on, like clipping issues or in movies where you can still see the ropes and harnesses attached to the stuntmen.
I think they should they should be judged primarily on their suitability to the game with extra points added for outstandingly well made ones and points taken away for glitchy ones.
Proud Sony Rear Admiral
