Old School RPG, New School Graphics
Drakensang uses a real time combat system similar to D&D except that you are rolling low instead of high(as in D&D). Each combat round includes an attack roll and a parry roll, spell casting and special abilities have "round counts" (the number of combat rounds needed to cast or execute and ability).
You get to choose from a whopping 20 character classes when you start the game, with option of going into expert mode to tweak each stat individually. It took me a while to get used to the system, but all of the attributes and ablities are well documented and include their formulas. There are over 100 skills and abilities to train tweak and learn, including a robust crafting system including Bowyer, Blacksmithing and Alchemy.
Characters are extremely open ended and aside from race specific abilities most characters can learn almost any skill (there are some exceptions of course, Melee characters cant learn spells for example). My first character (a necromancer) has trained lockpicking and trap disarm, as well as healing and poison removal spells.
The NPCs and characters in Drakensang are a delight to interact with. I personally have a passionate hatred for dwarves in all games, until now, Drakensang has proven dwarfs are not just one dimensional alcholic rock biters, and can actually have varying personalities and intrests.
There are a few downsides, but they are easily overlooked by the depth and richness of the Drakensang world. Early on, the camera control can feel awkward and clunky but you find later that it makes sense (once you are running with a full party). The game so far is almost completely bug free and I think almost all issues will come down to camera and controls, which have a slightly steeper than usual learning curve, but once mastered make perfect sense.