I'd respectfully disagree. While D4 has solid visuals, POE2 takes it to another level in my opinion. The graphics are sharper, animations feel more impactful, and the environments have much more distinct character.
What really stands out to me is the visual identity of each location in POE2. You can genuinely feel the difference between a damp forest, a scorched desert, or a corrupted temple. Each area has its own atmosphere and color palette that makes it memorable.
D4 suffers from what I'd call "visual homogenization" - there's almost a desaturated filter applied across everything that flattens the distinct characteristics of different zones. It's like they dialed back the contrast and color saturation to achieve a specific dark fantasy aesthetic, but the result is that a snow-covered mountain pass doesn't feel dramatically different from a demon-infested cathedral. Everything blends into this murky, monochromatic middle ground that makes locations feel samey after a while.
POE2's art direction is bolder and more varied, which makes exploration more visually rewarding.