I honestly feel 2D games done so realistically look weird. In 8 and 16-Bit games, the images and scenes we're seeing are so far removed from reality and it works because let's face it... 2D ISN'T realistic. We don't live in a 2D world. So when I see a realistic looking 2D world it actually makes said world LESS immersive for me.
I prefer 2D to be in 8 and 16-bit... or something flat and cartoon-like etc.