I saw Gothic 2 came out, so I rushed over to read about it. Having never played the Gothic series, I'm not really sure what it's about. I was hoping some of you could explain what makes Gothic 2 the best RPG available. The forum posts I've read basically just say, "It's the best" or something similar without any reasons why (even the reviews here on GoG are similar).
The gameplay videos on youtube make me hesitate just due to graphics, but I can look past that for the gameplay itself. Hard to judge that in the videos though. So what makes G2 so great? Combat? Story? Exploration? What makes it worth $10 to someone who's never even seen the game?

Well, what I liked most about it was the sandbox feel and the great interactivity in the game. There aren't many other RPGs that offer that on the level that Gothic 2 does. After the Night of the Raven expansion I also enjoyed the challenge of the game; it can really be pretty hard but never too hard - in other words, well balanced. Just common sense goes a long way in ensuring your survival. Which really added to the IMMER-SHUN (tm) for me.
I guess those are what drawed me in when I first played it; and much like you I hadn't tried it before or even played Gothic 1 at that point.

I'll be the first to admit that Gothic has never had pretty graphics. But by being on this site, you should also know that graphics doesn't make the game.
Gothic 2 remains one of my favourite games for several reasons; the combat, the story, the setting, and lastly the size. The world in Gothic isn't the biggest, but big enough in the sense that every nook and cranny has a purpose. Every location is unique. You'll wander around in a sort of medieval setting where every person in the town(s) have a purpose; a lot of them being named NPC's. They'll have their ow agendas and duties throughout the day, and that really fascinates me to this day.
The story isn't exactly deep at first, but I'll guarantee that you will be severely surprised by at least one plot-twist.
And lastly, the combat. The combat in Gothic is hard, but rewarding. Veteran players, or good players will be able to kill the worst foes early on. In Gothic, you gain skill levels that you, for an example, can place in combat levels. As you gain levels, the Nameless hero will get better at combat. Suddenly you can fluently swing your sword in impressive combo's, and your dodging skills becomes better. This way, bad players will be able to play the game, whilst truly skilled players will be fully rewarded. It strikes a nice balance.
Gothic 2 is game which is filled with things to do, learn, and experience.

For me it is maybe not the best RPG ever (however, can''t get any other game on my mind so fast) but for you some facts in my opinion;
Gothic 1 was in basic good game but got same negative flows (combat, area's, walking paths) and Gothic 2 got all of those imrpoved!
Gothic 2 got a good solid story which will keep you focused till the end.
Gothic 2 got 3 different sides which you can join, and believe it or not but those factions (Army of the king, rebels and Magicians) make a real difference in gaemplay and quests
Gothic 2 wasn't balanced good (way too hard at begin, easily kill all monsters at 70% part of the game) but this is really improved in G2:NOTR
* example: At start you get now some support from an old friend (no spoilers) who kills some soldiers and animals for/with you so you can easier reach the city
* THe new area is harder than much of the old area (and more interesting)
* The animals are more balanced vs the orcs (Orcs are stronger now which is good)
Gothic 2 is long and exciting, lot of different area's which are fun to discover
And last thing that really helps me; Non of the animals will respawn after you kill them (for expample you can kill all the orcs, not needed for the game and they will only increase after each new chapter (5 in total)
At ths way you can see at the start some great enemies which you can fight |(Orc scout FE) but you always will lose...gain some skill and better weapons (lvl up at quests and smaller animals) and then you will return to him...beating him up as a stronger player gives really an excitining feeling after seeing him so many times and probally running away from him.
Hope this all will help you in your choice, off course there are some negative flows (Graphics, few bugs, levelling at the end can take a long time) but for me that didn't stand as a barrier between me and a great experience!!!
Good luck with your choice!
Wormpaul