Normally I would agree with you about CRPG graphics, because character design, storyline, combat system, quests, and dialogue are indeed more important. But at the same time, I feel so gimped by those gorgeous looking action games with lovely graphics. Why are CRPGs and strategy games the last to catch up in the graphics department? I guess because roleplay and strategy enthusiasts are looking for more than just graphics, but still, it would be nice to see some graphical upgrades in DD2.
Then there are also issues that come up as far as more feature implemention, because they might require more graphically. Take for example horses and mounts: I want them, I know some other people want them, but at the same time it might be difficult to implement graphically. The imp riders were interesting, because those spiders were basically mounts, but to implement this feature for player characters might be difficult. Not to mention rule ambiguities: would enemies target the horses or would they target the character?
Frankly, my main philosophy when it comes to CRPGs is not less details and less customization, but more detail and more customization -- in fact, the more, the better. That is why I applaud Larian for letting you customize your character's stats, skills, and certain other subtle but important things like portraits and gender. If they made character classes more rigid and less customizable, the game might not be nearly as cool since after you play the warrior, mage and surviro (3 times), you've seen it all. With different skill combinations though, you can play one single class (survivor) nearly indefinitely.
