That's your perspective. If graphics are part of the package they are very low to me, almost negligible.
Let me give you an example. I'm playing Choice of Wizards on Android. It's strictly a text-based RPG, an interactive story. I play those a lot on tablet and enjoy them. They have RPG mechanics, inventory, choices to make - yet it's all text. To me, they are enjoyable and worth playing.
I guess it just varies from person to person. But I'm fine with Dungeons of Chaos looking stuff (just wishlisted it the other day) and I'm fine with Skyrim, or anime JRPGs, or whatever. You guys limit yourselves by not checking out those games if you're fans of RPGs. Because I'll tell you that there are plenty of JRPGs and anime-looking games that have excellent, interesting RPG mechanics. And there are games like Caves of Qud and other weird-looking ones that have amazing mechanics. And to me, that is what makes these games, visual medium or not, worth playing. Not looks.
So that's just me. Spiderweb games don't have audio, btw. At least not anything worth mentioning. Graphics are sparse. Yet to me, those games are immersive and interesting as hell because of the systems Jeff implements, the writing and so on. It's the package to me, and I value mechanics and RPG "stuff" a lot more than anything else.
I also play RPGs without major stories, but I guess I'm also weird like that (Oubliette, anyone?)