Make a good game first. Without that, it doesn't matter what the graphics are like. Gears is a good game series, so the graphics are just gravy on that.

Graphics aren't so important. Never have been. They are the cherry on top of the cake.

First I'd like to point out that we are very, very far from photorealism in games, and further yet from what I can only describe as videorealism. We cannot yet make animated movies that can fool the human eye (but we're getting really close) so the day a true videorealistic game comes out is far away indeed.

That being said, I do believe that some types of games might benefit from such graphics. But the benefit gained from it are much less than most would probably think. We are now at a point in time where 3D graphics have gone from ugly to acceptable, possibly even bordering to good. Further advancements will not increase the experience in the same way at all.

Right now the best way to bring out the best of the graphics capabilities is to avoid the real world. Just look at Loco Roco. Noone can say the Loco Roco graphics are not complete, but anyone can spot mistakes and flaws in games like Metal Gear Solid. With realistic graphics, stuff we're used to and see every day, it's much more easy to spot the mistakes. Basically it's the same principle as the uncanny valley. The closer we get, the more artificial it will look. Until it looks perfect.

I do not doubt that developers will continue to pursue the realistic look, but I think it will be many years before we start to make some real headway in that direction. Current generation consoles and computers of today are simply not powerful enough, or it might be that we are attacking the problem the wrong way.

So what should you take away from my semi-rant? Two things really. Uncanny valley exists for graphics in general and it will take very, very long to get over it.

Whoa guys relax, i agree aswell but then i did say " Graphics > Innovation" you guys said nothing of gameplay... but now that you did can i have all 3 *Graphics, Innovation & Gameplay" all in one pleasent basket of awesome sauce please?... *Stares @ MGS4* ...

I'd prefer innovation over gameplay, as long as that inovation led to more interesting gameplay. Graphics are the last. Also MGS4 had about as much innovation as an elementary school studednt's science project.

"but now that you did can i have all 3 *Graphics, Innovation & Gameplay" all in one pleasent basket of awesome sauce please?... *Stares @ MGS4*"

Not quite. The game is praised for story and graphics, but the gameplay is noted as merely adequate (as in playable and responsive, but not much more), and it's not noted for innovation. Just highly polished.

Wtf......I say gameplay on my post!

You say Graphics THEN Gameplay. "Graphics>Innovation" Guess you might not no that > means.

I say a game needs to either innovate or have good gameplay. Hence Innovation/Gameplay that I posted.

Photorealism is definitely a huge plus for some games. I couldn't imagine playing cod4 with anything other than photorealistic graphics but something like valkyria chronicles is fine too.

Art style is definitely a plus in some games while photorealism helps others a lot.

Games w realistic graphics FTL

I want to see more games that use an artistic design style. Mirror's Edge still looks too realistic for me, other than that there is so much grey & the red & blue is way too shiny.

I want games to look more like Prince of Persia in the future, kinda realistic backgrounds, stylized characters, and a variety of color. Can't believe the game is doing so much worse than assasin's creed :'(

"I couldn't imagine playing cod4 with anything other than photorealistic graphics"

Those are not photorealistic. Those are just highly detailed in a realistic style.