Problem arise when you try to renew everything in the game so that it comes to a point where it is unrecognizable, things tend to break down from there. I am strongly against that. A healthy mod should build upon the original and let as much stay original and try to blend in both technically and graphically. Have to move slowly and carefully and not just throw in new things faster than you can test it.
I'm not in favor of blind "beauty" graphics either, the only exception is if it blends well into the original, then I can enjoy it even more.
and when a new feature is added, one should spend much time making it perfect, no rush.