I read the first page, but nothing on the second. So sorry if I'm repeating anyone.
Anyways, OP, I can see your point to a degree. The art is flat and different. I think to me its just that though I favor it more then I dislike it. However, a better comparison may be to Diablo II's Beta paper doll.
Looking at the two, I prefer diablo 3's beta paper doll to Diablo II's beta. And personally I would take Diablo III's Paper doll over Diablo II's, I think the art has greater potential. But that's just preference.
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Anyways, OP, I can see your point to a degree. The art is flat and different. I think to me its just that though I favor it more then I dislike it. However, a better comparison may be to Diablo II's Beta paper doll.
http://diablo2.judgehype.com/screenshots/historiqued2/screenshots/acte1_avril99/Acte1409.jpg
Compared to there current. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://news.softpedia.com/images/reviews/large/diablo2lod_006-large.jpg&imgrefurl=http://m.softpedia.com/diablo-ii-lord-of-destruction-codes-and-secret-cow-level-pc-54893.html&usg=__0XIOZri4VxVZsIwsD_EV4dOSITU=&h=337&w=450&sz=120&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=oiKsJLIT3qdjsM:&tbnh=109&tbnw=158&ei=p1gdTsC4G5DXiALin-CZCQ&prev=/search?q=diablo+2&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1120&bih=541&tbm=isch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=643&vpy=240&dur=39&hovh=194&hovw=260&tx=152&ty=108&page=1&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:0
Looking at the two, I prefer diablo 3's beta paper doll to Diablo II's beta. And personally I would take Diablo III's Paper doll over Diablo II's, I think the art has greater potential. But that's just preference.