Let's talk about less over pixel style games and lot more modern :

Another example, graphics are worked, hand painted, but not so incredible compared to some over detailled next gen characters !



What makes the game is lot more the fun of playing and loot !

Another example :
Simplified non realistic game , Borderlands :
Specially on terrain where it is ot photo texture indeed !
But same formula as Diablo games : fun of play, vehicle play and lot lot of loot and equipment , and XP system also with power tree !
It's a general winning formula