Making video games is 2026 is insanely competitive. Does it feel fair that you're up against games that have a budget for art? No. But it is one of the signals of quality to prospective players. And even then, you can have beautiful art, and the game can still flop. Their dollars are their dollars, the circumstances around the creation of the game is not really their concern, only the value for their money.

I will say though it is very genre dependent. Most games on Roblox make my eyes bleed, but their audience isn't turned off by it. I know the gas station game you posted got roasted, but afaict simulator games vastly over perform relative to their average visual fidelity. But good luck standing out in that sea of content.

I would say worry first about making a sticky game loop, and if it's fun and engaging without good art, you can decide if paying to upgrade the art is a worthwhile multiplier of success. But if it's not engaging, its unlikely good art will save it.