Dead Rising has a low polygon count (admitted by Capcom), and a low texture resolution for an HD game (only twice that of RE4), but in terms of lighting, it was one of the first to have loads of effects.
More importantly, all the details. You can see condiment racks in the snack stands. That was attention to detail. In my review for Chop Till You Drop, I note that the exact resource consumption structure of Dead Rising is likely unprecedented. I mean I don't know of a single game like Dead Rising (probably the closest thing is that indoor mall in Vice City, but you can't go inside most of the shops, and of course there aren't loads of enemies). So while it's not a graphical powerhouse it's art direction is some of the most amazing due to raw detail.
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
