There are secondary and primary components. First and foremost, there should be a good story. If there isn't one, the game won't be good.
However, the graphics don't need to be anything special; even mediocre graphics will do.
Of course, there are plenty of "spoiled" gamers (and I'm not talking about you, don't get me wrong) who only want amazing graphics, and if the graphics are bad, they immediately start complaining.
If you think that RPGs should be judged by the size of the world...
What do you mean? They (except maybe Final Fantasy, which I haven't played) came out before Morrowind.
I have some bad news for you...
The pros are a few successful quests and a HUGE world?
ps
>You're right! Millions of flies can't be wrong!
You're already resorting to insults. Are your arguments exhausted?
>And why was Britney Spears (and still is!) so popular?
And why were Heroes 3/StarCraft/*any other winning game* (and still are!) so popular?