S!
Skoshi as you can see the game has been playable even without the excess eyecandy
For me the core for a combat sim is how it handles FM/DM/CEM/etc. Not some details I never or rarely see, like close ups on vehicles or if a house has brown or green curtains for example. DCS has 'bland' looking graphics but look at the modelling of things, they are done very well.
I can not wait for the day IL-2 runs smoothly with things fixed..will be a day of rejoice. Until then lower settings for playability and still looks good
A testament to IL-2 engine of it's versatility. Off topic rabble maybe but sprung by Skoshi's post