I gave the graphics an average rating. However, I don't feel this is a drawback to the game.
There's a finite amount of resources you can spend on all aspects of the game and still release it before you retire from programming.
So, that being said, excellent game play, historical accuracy, and a "proper" feel for the battles of the Napoleonic Wars will always trump glitzy graphics and a "hollywood movie quality soundtrack", at least for me.
Poor game play or a "cookie cutter" approach to the same tired genre of computer game just doesn't cut it.
No matter how much icing you put on it, a stale cake is a stale cake.
Would I appreciate better graphics, sure, but not at the expense of all the other announced features. Perhaps once the game is released, the fanatical and talented modders among us can enhance the skins somewhat, but if not, I'll still enjoy the game because of the underlying game mechanics and functionality.
Lately there have been many comparisons between the upcoming Imperial Glory and Les Grognards. For me, the only outstanding feature of IG is the strategic level of the game. The naval battles are very limited, but nice. The land battles look and feel like a severely dumbed down version of a Total War game. I may still buy IG, just for the strategic level game, as there's nothing else out there.
However, the game I want to play, and play as a multiplayer napoleonic battles game, is Les Grognards.
I really look forward to the 1806 game as well.