Are you sure you have your settings turned up? I thought it was and is a great looking game, especially for a RTS. All the little details are great.
As for worth playing: Regardless of what some people might say, it's really down to whether or not you like strategy games. CoH has a very cinematic feel, but it's still an RTS at the heart of it. Personally I thought it was great at first, but then realised I just couldn't be bothered making the effort.
Either way, you have it free. May as well play it to see...