This isn't a series of islands used to test distance-dependent rendering, with a touch of visual flair thrown in to make it palatable to a market. It's not quite fair to call this a tech demo. However, to worry that this game's method of establishing its own look will redefine the aesthetic of the mascot of gaming as a whole is downright absurd and conspiratorial.

I understand if that's not up your alley, but I hope you can appreciate it as a way of making the game visually distinct. The cat theme is a defining aesthetic for the game.