A cliche'd story isn't a big deal as long as it has interesting characters that are well developed and change and the story is told well.  Problem is, I don't think there has been an interesting story or even an interesting character in most recent JRPG's.  They focus on battle systems that try to get them closer to action games but they fail to do that because they desperately try to hold onto some form of some old system and they focus too heavily on bad, boring, and bland cinematics that make the rest of the action in the game boring.

Story and Characters for sure.

I guess I don't really pay much attention to the characters in RPGs, since most of them tend to be cliched messes. Most of the characters I like in RPGs either have that badass look or factor to them.

Leveling up/looting are my favorites

damn i havn't been to your wall to give you a messed up trivia question in what 2 months lol!

anyway i totaly agree with Boutros. i kind of like the direction some RPG's are going but they really are lossing there identity and thats a problem.

give me me turn based system back bitches/dev's/pub's!

I like games like Fallout & Oblivion b/c you have freedom to do whatever you want, you can do side quests or just wander killing people/things.

I don't like linear RPG's as much.

The story, with characters a close second

On the consoles, I feel the traditional turn-based system will be phased out, but it will stay alive on the handhelds.

that sucks. i'll likely stay away from console RPG's then.

My favourite aspect of ANY game, including RPGs, is atmosphere. The best RPGs combine story, graphics, battle system, and music to create the atmosphere.

Another aspect I like in some RPGs is freedom to set your own pace. Choosing when you fight, when you sort through your inventory and when you participate in the story can make the experience so much more enjoyable.