lol. yes, Bauldors Gate 2 seems to be a game almost everyone considers a rpg,
even people who don't play rpg's when asked of a rpg say BG 2. (or 1)
Hmm, I don't really like Baldur's Gate (both I and II), and loathes Neverwinter Nights, especially the core campagins. There are some great custom modules (such as Penultima and the Elegia series) which are way better and represents RPG better.
And now, BD is more of a traditional RPG because of party-members, and because of the dynamics between the characters. I got a feeling that there will be Death Knight fan club soon for everyone's beloved and favourite Death Knight. Perhaps it could even better if the dev team has given the Death Knight some unique abilites, like shooting purple lightning from his fingertips or causing his sword to glow with red fire (oops, wrong game!)
And to stay on topic...
I am way delighted with the new system - the only bummer is how the skills are named - "Wizard Elemental Missile Fire" doesn't score much on style, unless you are an OOP programmer. There's also might be problem with disorientation - this is the only game which doesn't come with any skills, but sub-components of skill! Allowing new characters to customise a first, new starting skill may be a good idea.
