This games closest rivals are Ultima 9 & Morrowind. It exceeds both due to its NPC interaction and automation. There are clipping problems, and the inventory interface is fiddly BUT
this game is a sleeper hit.
Despite its annoyances and poor developer support (prob. because of language problems) this game is immersive. The NPCs are "real" and the world is "interactive" You really feel you are helping people, even when the quest is of the "go and fetch" type.
The graphics are above average and the plot is fresh. It plays like an offline MMPRPG. Iron out the bugs and you have a top 10 game and top 5 RPG. As it is, it looks like we are waiting for gothic 2 (in devlopment) to deliver.
As for the controls, if you have played any reasonable FPS's you shouldn't have any problems.........