There's a whole genre of ugly fps right now, I don't even just mean boomer shooters, I can't recall the name but there's this one where your health bar is a little glass skull you hold, another hyper anticapitalist critique one, and I'm seeing gifs going around of some third one I haven't a clue about. Sorry this is a vague post I just think it's interesting these games are leaning heavily on non visual aspects and being rewarded with massively positive reviews.

I'd argue the opposite. They are executing their art styles very well. E.g. Cruelty Squad. Like you say, there's clearly something in the water right now. Kudos to folks making it work for them.