But I think I have a different angle. I see role playing, since it is a computer, as what you put into it, and secondly, what the game mechanics allow vs. force you to do.By this I mean, when I play an RPG like Wiz 7, I can role-play or not. I can "get into" my characters and decide that my priest will be a healer (learning all healing spells first) and my valkyrie be a fighter (learning all damaging spells first). I can choose to be good (and make alignments, honor deals) or I can be bad (and kill on sight, play the double agent). Or maybe I split it and have some of each (good and bad) in my party.
In this light, yes, Dia-blow (that is for my friend John ) might under the right shade of light, viewed at the right angle resemble an RPG. But given my approach and what the game allows, Wiz 7 is definately an RPG (the RPG to this day, for me).
For the record, I did play Diablo I once and really enjoyed, for what it was - hack and slash, with artifical RPG-flavoring added
Maybe we should change RPG from Role Playing Game to Re Playable Game ... then the distinction would be clear
Tools for your Wizardry(r) toolkit