Yep, I realize I'm playing like a munchkin and judge a full rpg based only on one of it's features.
In my defense I think the ruleset and the environment are mostly there to support the combat and are not very well suited for a storydriven game. For me the story certainly felt more like a necessary evil to get to my dessert. I think D:OS would truly shine if they stripped the classic rpg elements and focused heavily on combat, like the Icewind Dales for Baldur's Gates or Fallout Tactics for the original Fallouts.
I loved some rpgs for their atmosphere and story/character interactions, Fallout 2 sticks out in my memory. All the SPECIAL attributes, skills, traits, perks, reputation and past deeds unlocked alternative options/questlines that changed the world(like the New Reno mob wars or Broken Hills). You could actually go through with minimal combat and I did so multiple times. Planescape: Torment had a gripping atmosphere, same with Deus Ex. Hell, even played through the first 2 Max Payne games despite not liking the mechanics just for the story. I don't think story and feel is the area where D:OS can challenge the greats
Even if you take a roleplaying approach, there isn't much you can/need to do. Pet pal on a protagonist is a given and I got it, too. Other than that charisma can make dialog choices easier to win and pickpocket unlocks a few alternative ways to quests, that's it. Barter does very close to nothing and you can have +2 from gear/as much gold as you want without it. Even if you level them(and not just get 1 trait+panties+tooth jewelry for charisma/1-2 levels+gear for picpocket), that's 1/2 of skills gone on 1/4 of your party. Doesn't take much to make a monster anyway, get 1-1 in all magic schools and get freezing touch/rain/regen/bitter cold/shocking touch/oath/oil/spider/wildfire with a bit of int, good to go at level 1.
I'd like to emphasize I didn't write the original post to wave my dick around about how good I am at this game. It legitimately is that easy if you fudge around a bit with skills and test before really jumping in. For comparison Fallout Tactics was a very decent challenge in ironman mode. The new XCOM with Long War mod repeatedly murders me on brutal ironman, and some people just waltz through impossible, the highest difficulty.
Edit:
failed to mention that the environments are gorgeous, a bit relevant to the atmosphere part and credit really should go to the team that made them.
