What good have graphics ever done to make games good? Absolutely nothing.
Nowadays games take millions upon millions to make. Of which most of the budget is spent on 'game art', And the creation of this game art takes 100x as long as it took 10 years ago.
And are the games any better for it? Pfff, haha you wish.
Look at any new game. $60 price tag. For what? A bunch of cutscenes and some bad gameplay.
Sure it looks good, but if it plays like stuff it's worthless.
Saying a recent game is good is like saying "Yeah I've got a Ferrari in my garage. Is it fun to drive? I don't know, the engine doesn't work".
Why would I want graphics if I can play Quake 2. Or System Shock. Or even Half Life.