Maybe you could try Icewind Dale 1 & 2? It's much more focused on battle than BG series. Character creation is good, gameplay too. A lot of party options to try. There's co-op too.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.
Dins curse.. looks promising so I just bought it.. Its good to see games like this being made still. and I love the random maps.. probably one of the most important features so it has lots of replayability.
A new MP Torchlight will be well received too.
Things just get better and better.