I'm late to this conversation. But I just want to say good luck with Pathfinder. I've found it to be closest to the "old school" dnd games. Yes it's rules heavy but it's one of the things I love about the process. Poring over the rule book, tweaking characters, etc. I don't play with my pen and paper group anymore because they can't stay 1. with a campagin (we haven't finished one in 3 years) and 2. They left Pathfinder - want the simple no rules fast and easy type games. My favorite memories of pen and paper, next to the old 2nd edition, is of Pathfinder. I loved it and still love it. Kingmaker and Council of Theives are some awesome pre gens that still leave the dm and players plenty of room to make their own story and style of play. Good luck.