It looks like I'm a bit late to the discussion, but I must say DKS has been quite the(pleasant) surprise… What I found most shocking - it's as rewarding as it's fun. For example, character build actually means something(at least in ED; the sheer number of skill books in FoV is staggering - though, it could be argued one isn't forced to use any or all). Honestly, how many games are the least bit rewarding(IE where strategy, C&C or character building is necessitated and pays off)? IMHO, in the ever growing desire to attain some mythical peak mass market appeal devs and pubs lose sight of risk/reward and go for
fun. Thus rewarding can be fun, but fun cannot be meaningful… It(fun) is the lowest common denominator and has been distilled to the point of insipidness and frivolity. Perhaps that says more about our nations and greater society?
Beyond character build/strategy being rewarding there's an element of exploration, not in a sandbox sense, but rather the devil is in the details. Hidden knobs, latches or handles are actually hidden - they're not glowing and screaming, Hey look at me! Over here!"… Often times mindreading or scanning a room for books, notes, ect are rewarding, but other times entirely pointless(humor aside).
The other things I appreciated,
-Not being given all the details or exact details. I'd explain/give an account but that would be spoilerish… Suffice it to say hand holding/coddling is kept to a minimum.
-That on normal, I got my arse handed to me a couple times for acting haphazardly.
-Puzzles that took at least some thought or referencing previous convos/mindreads/books/ect.
-The dialogue/humor. *Semi-Spoiler* Talana's commentaries were great.
-Music/soundtrack. Voice acting was decent too.
-I don't understand the complaints about graphics… I found them to be perfectly acceptable.
-Some actual C&C. Not to mention the ability to fail a quest depending on your choices. Something that's become increasingly rare.
-*Spoiler* A game where the archer is overpowered! Not that I appreciate overpowered PCs, but it's almost never the archer.
-Some of the locations were memorable. Only complaint, I wish some areas weren't "locked" after certain events(*Spoiler* sentinel island).
-Rarity of some gems/items. Thus you can't enchant every item set you may have with the best of enchantments.
Even if DKS is somewhat LMB click happy/actiony, so what? It's thoroughly entertaining and difficult to stop playing…