Graphics are always good enough "now". In a couple years it will be more obvious how much room for improvement there was, until they're indistinguishable from reality. Which, they definitely are not, and won't be for a long while.
But fundamentally, I agree with the point you're trying to make.
Graphics are easier to advertise with. Show a few screenshots from the game on the box / whatever website you're advertising with, and it shows a lot of work was put into a game... so it's probably good.
There's only so much effort one can put into a game, whether that's individual developer time or number of developers hired to do the work.
This is why you see so many AAA titles doing the same-old gameplay: new kinds of games involves risk. They don't want to spend $100M & see the game flop
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But fundamentally, I agree with the point you're trying to make.
The gameplay improvement expansion is set to release 2030, with further delays already to be expected.
Looking at you, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, with the 2x2 rocks that should weigh about 30kg each that I keep kicking around like a football.
This is why you see so many AAA titles doing the same-old gameplay: new kinds of games involves risk. They don't want to spend $100M & see the game flop