Realism that can be seen doesn't necessarily give the effect of being real. Hell we watch movies such as Lord of the Rings trilogy and see the amazing visual affects but that doesn't allow you to feel actually inside the movie. Yet if you were to be able to have a controller that allows you to use it as a bow and arrow and what not then you definetly do feel more attached in the game and thus it feels more real.
Realism in the virtual reality is about being able to believe that you are the main character. I personally think it needs a combo of both to achieve this. I think an advance virtual reality set would definetly achieve this. Which tied in the visual part along with the control part. But ultimately control is what's going to give you the realest feel out of them as it physically gets you more attached to the sequences of the game.
