I agree that it's certainly the selling point. The developer studio has been struck with layoffs due to lackluster sales.

http://www.joystiq.com/tag/tomb-raider-underworld/page/2/

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=205633

The thing about games, it's actually more the game play than the look (although many developers argue this) :)

The dust settled, thinking "what a fine home, at least for now" not realizing that doom would soon be coming in the form of a vacuum cleaner.