If the game was an original IP, I think it would have been accepted better, even if it was otherwise exactly the same. It's that people, as they usually do, judged it on preconceived notions, not what is actually there.
A flashy-first game is awesome when it comes out. A great-first game is awesome forever.
Plus, just for the hell of it: Kelly Brook at the 2008 BAFTAs








