I have to say I disagree with this. I find the graphics to look good from the screenshots I've seen on GOG and Moby Games. The graphics here is in my opinion much better than say World of Warcraft, the new King's Bounty or Heroes of Might and Magic V. World of Warcraft's graphics are quite well made and given a lot of attention so they could be described as good because of that.
But I find the graphical style horrible and sadly it has had a lot of influence on other fantasy games released afterward. It is very cartoonish and unrealistic and while this is not necessarily bad (I love Heroes of Might and Magic II's graphics which is closer to the looks of children books than to anime and american superhero cartoons.) the particular style of WoW with it's emphasis on ridiculously large weapons is atrocious.

Many people mistake the amount of polygons and pixels as indicators of graphical quality. This is a mistake because I think most people, consciously or unconsciously are more influenced by the quality and style of the art in the game.

While gameplay of course is the most important quality of a game, I do consider the graphical art and the sound as very important too. These two are very important for the immersion and atmosphere in the game. Another thing that adds a lot to the atmosphere that sadly is neglected in newer games is textual descriptions that are not part of someones dialogue. Even brand new games would benefit a lot from this, although maybe many reviewers would give the games a lesser score because of this.

I too stay away from MMORPG's because my RPG experience is better when not disturbed by people not interested in that at all. If I played with people that were interested in actually roleplaying it would probably be a lot of fun, but that would take some effort to set up and I think that it is more fun to roleplay with people in real life.

I have had a lot of fun playing multiplayer with strangers in the games Unreal Tournament and Worms World Party, but then roleplaying isn't what you do there.

I think that one of the reasons that we often see people from their worst sides when interacting with them on the internet is because when you can't see a real person there, just their textual input or voice you feel less empathy\sympathy with them and thus it is easier to dislike the person.
Another reason is that in real life we are kept in check by social norms, our reputation, personal honour and ethics but on the internet there is much less of this, mainly because of the anonymity of the internet. That shouldn't mean that one's ethical standards should be lower but it seems like it is, at least for some people. Perhaps they are on some level forgetting that it is real people that they are interacting with? Or perhaps those people are mostly the kind of people that doesn't have much ethics at all?

What then is the true face of a person? The one we see in real life, or on the internet? I think both are.

http://www.soldak.com/Dins-Curse/Overview.html

Well, I have played only a small percentage of those RPG's that I want to play yet so I guess I'm quite lucky compared to most aficionados here.

The type of game I most enjoy are the open ended kind where there are great possibilities for both interaction and exploration. Fallout and Fallout 2 are for me the best examples of those games and probably my favorite RPG's. Choices and consequences are words I like.
Then again I also really like picking up magical items and the strategies of character progression and battle. Currently I'm revisiting Might and Magic VI which is very open ended in how you want to explore the game but there is no interaction in how the story develops. It is mostly focused on exploration, character progression and battle, lots of battle and I really enjoy it.

The original Diablo is one of my favorites, going further and further down into the abyss was one of my best game experiences I've had and the first RPG I played. Another dungeon crawler I really liked is Mordor. (Now a free game)
http://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/272043-mordor-the-depths-of-dejenol-windows-3-x-screenshot-while.png
http://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/272042-mordor-the-depths-of-dejenol-windows-3-x-screenshot-the-library.png

Some RPG's I'm really looking forward to playing:

Darklands (It is set in a medieval Germany which is a mix of the historical fact and myths and folktales. Though there are much less actual magic in the game than in most, it seems from what I've seen so far that it will be a much more magical experience than most D&D inspired games.)
http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/darklands
Dwarf Fortress (though it is a rogue-like RPG\strategy hybrid.)
Morrowind, which will soon arrive in my mailbox.
Baldur's Gate
Baldur's Gate 2
Arcanum
The Realms of Arkania series.
Planescape Torment

I'm also looking forward to Betrayal at Krondor, Gothic, Gothic II, Continuing Icewind Dale with my brother, Divine Divinity, The Temple of Elemental Evil, Arx Fatalis, Might and Magic VII and maybe Daggerfall would be fun.

My initial experience with Divine Divinity was to become confused and quit! But I will give it another shot.

I last played WoW two years ago, or it will be two years this summer. Although I used to be into active guilds and end game raiding this time I went solo. I did join a guild after telling them I was a lone wolf who intended just to solo. I would contribute info mostly, but just wanted to hit 80 with a new Night Elf Hunter. The guild rules were very strict and people got booted right and left. So now I could solo without constant guild invites. WoW supports solo play very well. Gathered herbs and ore, played the Auction House, and got filthy rich. WoW is full of schmucks and psychos but you do not have to play with them.

GW I also play a lot and am darn good at it if I do say so myself! Guild Wars is now primarily a solo game. Start off in Nightfall, get a full set of heroes, go through Eye of the Niorth for more heroes. And you never need to so much as speak with another player. If you need info check the wikis and forums. Parties of 8 you can fill with NPC heroes or henchmen.

7 heroes per party are now allowed! The heroes are darn good, far better than the average dimwit human player. You set their skills, give them weapons, put some inscriptions and runes on their armor and mostly they know their business and you do not have to micro skills; although you can. GW 2 upcoming in a year or so will also support solo game play.

MMO does not have to mean putting up with psychotic dimwits. I play online as if offline. Yes it is possible, yes it works. Got to level 35 in Perfect World, pure solo. Hint: The Venomancer is the best solo character there. Venomancers rock!

Only played Diablo 2 offline. Good game. So is Titan Quest. Just concentrate on the game, avoid the meaningless loot scramble.

But back to Divine Divinity. I am an experienced player, so why am I so bewildered by Divine Divinity Could it be I am stewpid? Naaaaah! I am going to give it another chance. Any recommendations for videos or posts on how to get rolling? All seemed clear as mud to me.

I would give DD another chance, I had great fun playing it and I believe you will too once you get the feel of the game. This is the best walkthrough IMHO and can be very helpful early in the game. Checking it out only when necessary can allow you to get around until you get up to speed. Most people don't like the early game dungeon as it can be fairly difficult for some character builds.

Any character can be anything, mage, warrior, survivor . . . can use any weapon, skill or magic as well as any other character regardless of character class or gender. I liked that as it allowed me to engage with the story to a greater degree. I preferred the warrior only because his special skill was much more useful to me than the other classes special skill. As I mentioned you can make a warrior into a powerful mage if that is your favorite character type. DD is a hack and slash so you will need some strength and dexterity. As you progress and become stronger it will be more engaging or . . . it did for me.

There are several game play threads here in the DD forum as well. . . . =)

Edit: I should mention that is seems DD requires a good weapon and magic mix rather than just one or the other. I like the two handed sword for close up combat and lightening for my ranged weapon.

Thanks Stuff. For the tips and encouragement. That is a good resource for info. Heck, you know I might even read the manual ...

For other new players, the following link is to a play through in English by Frac where there are good tips and guidance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzcgdFj9_cs&feature=related

Heh. Thanks for the link. I was wondering why that LP suddenly got a spike in viewers ;-)

I picked the game up because a roommate of mine found it for sale. For a dollar, to be specific. I was bored, was never into RPGs, it seemed like a crappy game from the package and the price, picked it up anyway.
Hated the first dungeon, died a dozen times, but when I went over that first bridge ... best game ever. And I mean, ever.
This includes all those other games people on here seem to love, as Ultima or Diablo or Sacred (which I personally hated and never played long since it always just repeats itself). It's a full free world and eventhough I have completed it almost six times I still continue finding new side quests, dungeons hidden in the woods and whatever else.
Oh, and also, since the character traits and spells can be chosen freely later on, I'd recommend starting with a mage since with the initially low HP the wide-range attacks that come with it are easiest to use.