I'd just like to intercede here and say that a lot of people, who claim to be mega WRPG fans, will turn around and say that Dragon Age is nothing more than a flashy version of Baulders Gate with better graphics and less options (fewer classes and skills).  Note, I'm not saying this is my opinion, just what I'm hearing from a lot of WRPG fans.

As for the person you quoted, yet again there's another misconception of JRPGs lumped into an absolute.  There's multiple JRPGs that allow you to customize your characters attributes, from Phantasy Star to Dragon Quest.  Why in Dragon Quest III alone, way back in 1989, you could even change their mood, which would alter their stats while leveling.

If you haven't figured it out, Dragon Quest has a very WRPG styled engine.  Which did tons of things you keep praising WRPGs for doing...anywhere from 15-20 years ago.  All of you who keep lumping 'all JRPGs' into these absolute statements need to do some research.

The sheer fact that Dragon Age is compared to Baldur's Gate goes to show the quality the game has.

Baldur's Gate 2 IMO is without a doubt the best WRPG... Ever.

That is all.

JRPG

- while the overall storytelling is somewhat less interactive, the delivery is more consistent, in most cases with excelent cinematography, state of the art motion capture and generally well placed humour.

What I see in the original post partly comes out of the focus of JRPGs vs WRPGs:

* In JRPGs, you have a detailed and forced narrative the game designer wants you to go through.  There is focus on preset characters with set backgrounds, and a plot that needs to unfold.  Side quests provide a way to level up so you can get to the ending.  Because of this approach, it is possible the main story arch isn't going to be completely revealed.  It will eventually be reached, because the forced narrative will get you there.

* WRPGs, on the other hand, are all about choices players make, and the characters are who the players decide they will be.  In short, it is YOU who the game is about, not some other character you are following.  A game is likely to give the player multiple possible endings.  The game world functions much more as a sandbox than the JRPG world.  To prevent players from getting completely lost, the game will put some long-term goals for the player to accomplish and lay out more of where they need to go.  The basic state of the world is laid out also, to give players an overarching focus, so they stay on task, and get to the ending.  This is needed, because there isn't a forced narrative placed over the game.

Both tend to be linear I think, however JRPGs use (surprise) more Japanese and Asian methods of revealing character, more overt use of symbolism and metaphor, while WRPGs use Western movie methods for the most part (and often badly truth be told)- although there is an increasing trend to try and adopt emergent story-telling - which I've found wanting for the most part as it mostly means - act good and get these specific quests and result, act bad and get these specific quests and results.

Western movie methods?  

I do appreciate that Dragon Age doesn't go for that whole good vs evil thing with the choices.  That means that every choice has both benefits and detriments.

I have been tempted to try The Witcher, so this might push me over the edge. I never cared for Baulder's Gate though, so I know better than to try Dragon Age. The game won't be as good, and will share a lot of the problems I had.

The illusion of choice is absolutely meaningless though. I don't play these games for the shitty side-quest stories. Hell, I rarely even pay attention to them. Few, if any, are even given enough attention to be considered well written, or worthwhile outside of the in-game rewards. I don't need to feel like I could control a story. This is meaningless to me. I just want some epic battles, some ridiculous challenges, and possibly some nice character development. The linearity of the story line is meaningless in the end because there is no real alternative.

It sounds like you wouldn't enjoy Dragon Age, but it is a well-written story with interesting choices that do add an different element to the game play, on top of epic battles etc.

The following might be a spoiler to anyone who would end up playing the game

For example, let's say you play the linear story and kill an enemy. In another play through you could find out through side quests, different choices and talking to companions that the enemy is actually good and they become an ally. Also, depending on your choices a companion could attack you. Dragon Age does that.

I think Mr Khan here nailed it in his first paragraph IMO. I tend to prefer JRPGs bcause having too many choices can get pretty overwhelming IMO. For instance, if you walked into a store to buy toothpaste and there was only one brand on the shelf, you'd be in and out of the store in a second. However, if you walked in and saw 20 different brands without having any preference prior to your arival, you'll probably spend at least 30 mins just to pick the right toothpaste brand.

Most WRPG, you are right. They give an illusion of choice. There are however some RPG that don't do that. Fallout 1 & 2 for example make you the player the star. The ending is up to player. Fallout 3 as an example you are right. FO3 is mostly a massive series of side quests with the main quest being pretty darn linear. It's 9 possible endings are pretty miniscule in difference.

Though some times I like to play games and sometime I like to read books. Different tastes for different times.