1. More than a decade later, so I would say yes but better;
2.Dunno, I played Path of the Damned right of the bat. With Scripted NPC. It is challenging enough, yes. That's an understatement;
3. Unique level, it is a rpg ;
4. It is like an IE game, but not a IE game. Don't expect to win easily with the exact same tactics than in BG. You will have to learn.