I take your point about different choices for different goals, there LadyCrimson. I too read books, but for whatever reason I read very very very fast. I can run through a book in a day or two, reading part time. I've no complaints about this, as it comes in very handy, but it does mean that for a slightly more relaxed escape I prefer RPGs.
I think my second point can be made best by reminding people exactly how awful, mindless, and filled with senseless troll-mauling the Official Campaign was in Neverwinter Nights. It has seriously and perhaps unfairly, put me off buying NWN 2, and any of the expansion sets.