I think these new 3D engines aren't a good thing for RPGs.
While the NWN engines may have been really good looking technically, you really couldn't show much detail as you could when using 2D art. While the video resolutions of Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate II and Planescape don't hold up today, they were just more jaw dropping visually in their hey day than NWN, NWN2, KOTOR, KOTOR 2, Jade Empire etc.
I feel that CRPGs of that nature are better served with 3d characters in 2d backgrounds that are meticulously drawn out by artists.
The problem is that you can get a 3D engine to be a great technical masterpiece, but it will still be restricted by the state of technology. The amount of 3D detail an engine can render, doesn't hold a candle to the detail in an old school 2D background. While you can take the best RPG engine today, it will still have its selection of generic looking tile sets etc.
I am just thinking back to how I was massively disappointed with The Underdark in NWN. Sure it was rendered in real time by the Aurora engine, but it just looked like generic cavern XYZ.
The Underdark in Baldur's Gate II was beautifully drawn, and extremely detailed. It didn't look anything like the backgrounds seen in any other game powered by that engine. The whole look was dark and brooding, and captured the dangerous nature of The Underdark perfectly.
While it was an entirely 2D background, the art was skillfully made to look three dimensional. The whole thing was the perfect rendition of an underground cavern. You had rock formations, dampness, plantations, puddles etc. All of which were in the background, and not rendered in real time. If the same level of detail had been granted to The Underdark in NWN, the game would have crashed.
Conversely, The Underdark in NWN was basically a bland generic grey looking tile set. After much anticipation the look was extremely anticlimactic.
Even the little things like tables, labratories, stools, food etc were hardly ever the same in BG2. While in the NWN games, it doesn't matter if it is a torture dungeon, or a Nobel's home, most of the furniture will look the exact same.
The same goes for Planescape: Torment. Just the level of detail in that opening sequence where The Nameless One awakens is something you can't see in any modern Bioware RPG. To me, that's a pity.
Who is with me?
Here is an example of The Underdark in BG2:
Now look at the one in NWN:
It is the same looking crate, tent etc you will see through out the game. The background is bland, and the whole thing looks far from the creepy Underdark in BG2.
