NWN2

Hey there folks, I have been looking for something to play during my MMO downtime and came across NWN2. I did not play the first one and really know nothing about the game. There is no demo for it so I have no idea if I will actually like the gameplay.

1. I wanted to ask a few people who do have the game if they could help me out with understanding it a bit more. Some forums have stated it is less of a game and more of a place to play DnD. I have never played a game of actual DnD, so if this is the case would it be a hard game to pick up on?

        2.  The game says that it follows the DnD rulebook? How does this work in a game like this?

        3.  There is a possibility that I would be playing with my friend and girlfriend, how will the co-op work for that, and I hear the    story is only made for one person. Will they see the same cutscenes as I do?

         4.  I saw in a movie people pausing the game to give their party members orders, is this a main part of the game? I prefer to just play through without the pauses during combat.

If this isn't the game for my position, what would you guys reccomend? I was also looking into The Witcher and Drakensang. I loved oblivion, liked mass effect, hated fallout 3, and prefer the game to have decent graphics. (No NWN1, Titan Quest, Ultima)

Added note: I prefer the games to not be restricted to a top down camera angle, I like to actually see my character with some detail if its not a first person game

Thanks in advance if anyone can help a lost gamer out!