I looked at D:OS1 again to see how character creation is done. I think D:OS has one of the best character systems I know and talents are NOT a big problem in this game.
My biggest problem (regarding perks) was, that dialogue choices gave you such things. You answer one time in a spiritual way and you are fearless forever (until you answer in an opposite way). People chose answer A over answer B because they wanted perk A, not because answer A made sense for this char in this situation.
The biggest problem in D:OS1 was that my chars had no personality. They were a set of stats and skills walking around, solving quests and do lots of fighting. But in D:OS2 other chars will react to your race, background and reputation, so there is also improvement.
I think the devs do most things right. Keep the stat system similar to D:OS1 and use your many new writers to make more and more interesting character interactions (party members among each other when working together or against each other, and how party members interact with other people in the world.)
regarding the last posts: Both D:OS1+2 have lots of fighting that cannot be avoided so it makes sense that players chose combat related talents. Things would look different if there was a peaceful solution for most hard encounters, but I do not think this will happen.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Mad S. Tist
World leading expert of artificial stupidity.
Because there are too many people who work on artificial intelligence already
