DW is showing its age. It's rearing its ugly graphics.

[Blacklight]

I wouldn't call the graphics piss poor. I've seen a LOT worse from more modern games.

Dangerous Waters has more the feel of a military simulator with it's graphics. They made it look like the real naval training sims at the time looked.
Besides. The focus of the game is a naval simulation where you're looking at the various stations (which I think are rendered beautifully). Not on the eye candy on the outside.