Fair enough Old'n.
I don't mean to dismiss your thoughts at all, but do you think that there could ever be a game that would stand up to a tech boffin's complete criticism? Personally I don't think there could ever be a game made that was perfect. And even if there was, would it be worth the trouble?
For me, (and I'm just a lowly tradie) I'm pretty easy to please. Looks purdy, plays well, and there's attention to detail. But more than anything else, I had fun. Did you? If not, turn the GFX down, don't worry about things like that, and just play. I know it's awesome to have the best looking the best, and that's what they have tried (in vain maybe) to do, but at the end of the day, it's a game, and it's meant to be fun.
So, even after saying that... is it the best you've ever seen? Sure it isn't perfect, but has it set a new benchmark? If not... I wanna see what has!!
