I love this game.
It has become one of my 3 favorite RPGs: BG2, Arcanum and now Wizardry 8.
Although sometimes combat is annoying (I find myself trying to run from encounters when I can), the rest of the elements are great. I have a gadgeteer in my party which is one of the most original classes ever (it's like Jan Jansen in Baldur's Gate 2): you can create many wierd and amusing items from the junk you might find arround. For example, I created a Jack-In-The-Box trap and now use it to scare enemies.
The trap shows the game's sense of humour: when one of my characters died, another said "She's so young! So beautiful! So... So dead."
Or after talking to a priest, another character said something like: "He is a kind and generous soul. I hate him."
The RPG system is very interesting, allowing you to multiclass and specialize your heroes in several ways. You can also invite some characters in your party. I have a party of 8 now...
Then the conversation system: you can ask about every word the character says, which is often most helpful. Also you can attack, trade with, cast spells on, steal from, bribe... every character you talk to.
The blacksmith can make custom items, the barkeeper can share rumours and the city guards will asist you in battle.
It's the near-perfect RPG. I haven't tried continuous battle yet. Maybe it's better than the classic...
Thanks again, Cleglaw!