Awesome music, great graphics and environments, excellent dialog and voice acting in most parts (Sorry.. but Lanilor sounds fruity and the other elves.. ehh.. the lines seem like they were forced out)
Very large maps to explore, excellent ambient atmosphere, extensive character customization with the open-ended skill system. Plenty of side quests that you can do if you like, but arent necessary. Some puzzles scattered here and there, none too difficult, but enough to add flavor.
Create potions out of herbs and mushrooms with Alchemy, layout traps with Deadly Gift, enchant weapons and armor with charms.. giving even more stat and resist bonuses. Even static items, like the Blade of Chaos and Amulet of Honor (not sure if it's the right name) never have the same stats when you get em.
Personalities and attitudes on the NPC's make them notable and memorable (come on, how many of you wanted to run Janus through the moment you met his arrogant, condescending hide?)
A few references to other fantasy games and literature for flavor, as well as alot of twisted humor. Two skeletons for example, discussing the semantics of how they could possible exist.. that was funny.
That and let the reviews and accolades speak for themselves. Runner up for RPG of the year 2002, numerous perfect and near perfect reviews... Gamespot.com has almost 500 user reviews, and it still averages 8.6 out of 10.
