Graphics are hugely important.
Without the right graphics you cannot tell, who or what you are, what is friend or foe, what I can interact with and what I cannot, what ledges I can climb on. How much health I got how much ammo I got, what gun (if apparent) I got. To that end Graphics are essential, and most games now don't much that up. you can usually tell what is what, some older games had graphic problems with confusing textures and a lack of an interface of any real sort.
Although that is not what you are talking about is it you are on about realism, how detailed the characters are. It does not matter what the graphical style the game uses, be it photoreal, cell shaded, retro. As long as you know what you need to know it is fine.
I was not put off vvvvv or mine craft because of its looks more was I compelled to play crisis or stalker for there glistening graphics.
good graphics you know what stuff is bad you don't. And by you know what stuff is I mean you know what is friend foe a table, castle etc not I know that is a elf as apose to a dwarf or human etc.
But again they all depend on the game. (even text based games have graphics)