how real do your electric 'fireplace' flames look?

I still don't understand what someone else's appraisal of what THEIR fireplace looks like to them would in any way be helpful to you.

If you are happy with what you have, keep it and enjoy it. If you don't like it, get something else. If you haven't decided, the worst thing you can do is rely on perceptions of others. How many people do you know who love garlic/hate it?