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Graphics can add to immersion but when they set the bar too high and they actually don't have the skills to pull it off, the game(s) become something like TLG or DNF.

if i would just see games with not so good graphics improving faster than those graphic monsters in other areas but if i really have to look at these games, they also didn't improve a lot the last years so yeah, i don't see why they don't hold the industry back if i jump now for 20 years to collect a coin out of a block.

i also don't like what as example heavy rain did, that's a reason why i don't like that game but i can also say some of the games with bad graphics lack a lot in "gaming"

I only read half, but imo it's how you look at things. Photo-realism isn't a requirement for me to enjoy a game. Gameplay is way more important to me, so if a game looks nice and plays like crap, then why would I buy it. Battlefield 3 is a perfect example, and Crysis 2 was the last graphics hype I followed on this site (and take Selnor's threads seriously). But that's just me.

Also, photo realistic graphics are only targets for some genres like shooters and action/adventure games. It shouldn't become a target for all games and all genres.

I'd rather have more games with lesser graphics than only a few games with super graphics... I especially miss the huge amount of RPGs we used to have in previous generations :( Now I'll pretty much take any semi-decent RPG I can get x_x

I see what you're saying, but I think the visual bar should continue to be raised as an aid to immersion. As you point out though, this can sometimes have a detrimental effect on other aspects (FFXIII is a great example imo). However, if used correctly and efficiently, they can help aid quality writing and gameplay.

Examples of this would be games like Mass Effect, Half-Life 2 and Heavy Rain where the animations are used to good effect to help generate emotion from the player. On their own, visuals won't do anything without clever developers that know how to use them, but they are a valuable aid.

I agree to some degree that the visuals don't have to photorealistic to invoke strong emotional responses, but how they're used is more important. Shadow of the Colossus where the sheer scale and beautiful art style help to evoke emotions from the player that no other game has really managed (actually, Journey does a pretty good job) and The Walking Dead game manages to push a comic art-style yet the gameplay, player interactions and animations do a fantastic job of emotionally drawing the player into the game.

The quest for photo-realistic graphics is like the holy grail of program development, unfortunately it bring along bloated budgets, lost time due some team running behind. The quest should be for good art in games, depending on the subject will depend on what style you should use. Game that have great art age well examples of this would be Wind Waker and Ookami they are beautiful games even by today's standard and they were done with old tech.

Agree, too much energy and money is put into this, and in my opinion limits more than frees - the typical FFXIII has no towns case.

But people do/make what they want (devs) and buy what they want (consumers)

Well, we've seen the results photo-realistic or visually stunning games can have when in the hands of a capable (in both talent and budget) developer. The Last of Us is the next game that I see as providing an example of this. However, I think with Last of Us, it won't just be visual but the AI, the range of motions, animation and sheer realism of the brutality on show will draw players in a unique way.... based on trailers at least.