Well, I'd say you do play a role, because I wouldn't have different explanation for the experiemnce points and abilities the character gets.
Okay, the char's deeds are simply reduced to h/S, but that's just one tradition in role playing. remember that RPGs evolved from kind of miniature battles (of which the "table top" games are an relict).
By the way, someone said once that from the role-playing aspect on even an FPS is a "role playing game" ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />
