Realistic or Cartoony graphic style - which do you prefer and why?

[Hedra42]

GTAexpert said:

Hedra42 said:
I think the OP is asking entirely the wrong question. The art style is just one of many factors that go into the game, although it could be argued that the art style defines the game. The real questions should be - how important is art style to you? Do you buy a game for its art style, or for the game play?

That would make for an interesting poll.

IMHO, anyway.

A question cannot be wrong.

This isn't about which games you prefer, this is about which style do you like your games to have.

Did I say it was about which games you prefer? No. I said that the art style is a part of the game, and that it would be more interesting to ask whether artstyle or gameplay is more important when buying a game. This is proved by the fact that already there are some posting in this thread who have a clear preference on artstyle over their games, some who are saying their preference in artstyle depends on the game, and some who aren't concerned, as long as the game is good. I fall into the third category.

If I said in answer to your question that I preferred the cartoon style, I would be lying, because there are games I love that have a realistic style. If I said I preferred realistic, I would also be lying, because there are games that I love that have a cartoon style.

Here are two games I like which just happen to be 1990's point-and-click puzzle/adventure.

This is Riven, which is still one of my all time favourites. Not cartoony, but was considered awesome for its realistic beauty at the time. When characters appeared in the game (which was rare) they were live action.

Broken Sword. A puzzle/adventure game I really enjoyed playing. Cartoon style.

That's why I think it's not a great question. If you object to me using the word 'wrong', then I'll rephrase - I think there are better ways to find out people's preferences in artstyle and why, than just asking whether they like cartoon or realistic.