Agreed game>graphics but I don't think KZ has this luxury.
Whether Sony or Guerilla like it or not, this title will be the benchmark for what ps3 is able to do. Fence sitters will judge ps3 accordingly unless Sony can come up with something else this year that blows gears out of the water.
All eyes are on KZ though. Sony made this bed and they will have to lay in it.
Considering what the team did with ps2 though I think they will have a great looking game. How it plays is irrelevant for ps3. Sure if it plays like garbage (bad ai, buggy, unresponsive, etc) it will kill the franchise but some people are still holding onto the idea that ps3 will outclass xb360. This is the title they are looking at for proof.
Yeah, if KZ doesn't overtake Gears in the visual department then its going to become debate and ****** fodder for the internet. However, if KZ is critically reviewed as an AAA game on par with the Halo, FF, Gears and MGS's of the world then in all likelihood it will sales tons of PS3. The PS2 lost to the Xbox by a mile so its not imperative that the PS3 beats the 360 in terms of graphics. Yes its pie on Sony's face but past history has shown great games not eye candy sells systems.