By 'generic' I mean 'it hasn't a strong personality'/'doesn't look unique'. Depending on how it's done, it's not necessarily bad, though of course, most of the time it is.
That was the look of Dungeon Siege I & II by the way, so they're keeping it in line with that.
So what is an example of a Fantasy RPG that "has strong personality" and "looks unique?"
Jade Empire, Mask of the Betrayer and Storm of Zehir had also a pretty strong art direction, same with The Witcher and Gothic.
But yeah, I think you nail it when you ask me about fantasy RPGs, because a lot of them have pretty much the same look just slightly varied. And, as I've already said, if done right, it invokes a sense of familiarity. Just think about Black Isle's canceled project 'Torn'. It's pretty much what Dragon Age would become.. first draw the players with familiarity, then put twists at every corner (well, not exactly every corner, but I think you understand just fine ).