Gameplay vs. Graphics -- They kind of go hand in hand...
But you can overcome bad graphics with good gameplay, but can't overcome bad gameplay with good graphics.
In the end, gameplay is the most important, but you 'need' the graphics to get enough exposure in the first place. If a game looks like it fell out of the 1980's, few reviewers/magazines/people will be willing to invest the time to find out whether or not the gameplay is any good.
If it looks great but plays like a turd, people might pick it up, but it would be bound to get bad reviews, bad word-of-mouth advertisement and fizzle out quickly.
so... Graphics need to be good enough for people not to just skip it over sight unseen, but gameplay needs to be good enough to keep them interested afte trying it.
But you can overcome bad graphics with good gameplay, but can't overcome bad gameplay with good graphics.
In the end, gameplay is the most important, but you 'need' the graphics to get enough exposure in the first place. If a game looks like it fell out of the 1980's, few reviewers/magazines/people will be willing to invest the time to find out whether or not the gameplay is any good.
If it looks great but plays like a turd, people might pick it up, but it would be bound to get bad reviews, bad word-of-mouth advertisement and fizzle out quickly.
so... Graphics need to be good enough for people not to just skip it over sight unseen, but gameplay needs to be good enough to keep them interested afte trying it.