ninja666 said:
What I want is:
- isometric view with an option of controlling the character with a keyboard (it was way more convenient than clicking on the ground all the time)
- "start-stop" combat that requires tactical thinking to some degree
- leniency and forgiveness (don't confuse it with being balls easy; I want a challenge, just not in a way where I lose the whole fight because of one tiny factor)
- a really good storyline, preferably dark and not about saving the world
- fantasy setting (the more original, the better, as I'm not fond of Tolkienesque "elves, dwarves and wizards" worlds)
- not being based on any version of Dungeons and Dragons (I can't and won't uderstand its rules, even if my life depended on it)
Restating what others said, but, other than the D&D part, you basically just described exactly what NWN 2 is. The base game's plot and characters are pretty generic, but the MotB expansion is one of the better RPG stories I've played and isn't a "save the world". NWN 2 itself is almost completely divorced from the first NWN (which I never played myself) other than setting, and even the expansion is largely self contained from the base game if you just completely wanted to skip it (the base game isn't bad at all though). As for the D&D stuff, never played D&D outside NWN 2 and the Bioware games, but it wasn't too hard to grasp as presented by the game. The class system/character progression stuff is incredibly deep, but you don't have to chart out the perfect build to enjoy or get through the game.
Raikas said:
On paper, Bound by Flame meets most (although not quite all) of your criteria.
Of course, it would be unfair not to mention that it's a decidedly mediocre game overall (although not nearly as terrible as some of the reviews would have you believe), but it does feel very similar to many elements of DAO (it's not as good, but if you go in expecting a weaker version DAO and nothing more, I think it's possible to enjoy despite the limitations).
Eh, BbF is much more of an action RPG; very little tactical aspect to the game, especially given how braindead the companions are. And anyway, yeah, while it had an interesting premise that could have been the basis for a great game, it was pretty terribly executed. Just decent enough to serve as an adequate stopgap between better RPGs, but nothing more.
Other than NWN 2, I'd say your best bets are Jade Empire and maybe Divinity: Original Sin (KotOR 2 would also fit well but for the setting). Still waiting for the upcoming companions patch before I finally do my Divinity play-through, so can't speak to its story or later game experience, but it's got a great combat system and deep gameplay. Jade Empire though checks pretty much everything on your list. Honestly, it's pretty close to DA:O set in Eastern mythology; not quite as tactical or expansive, but still a good game with similar playstyle (was made by pre-EA Bioware, after all).