I prefer it as an action game with dialogue, character interaction, and choice making.
Sure, ME2 had much more in terms of action... but dialogue, character interaction and choice making took a heavy drop compared to ME1. And that I did not appreciate. Aside from the complaints about abandoning the RPG system, ME2 felt like it diverged from the RPG-type interactions as well.
I like the action bits of it to be action rather than whatever the original was trying to go for. Now that doesn't mean you can't add in some light rpg trappings to customize it a bit more but like I said I much prefer the design approach of ME 2.
Oh I definitely agree, the design approach for ME2 is
much more streamlined, I don't have any fault with that. I just wish they kept that and still managed to keep the expansive exploration, leveling system, larger skill tree, weapons and armor customization, and looting aspects as well for ME2.
And a better plot, but that's neither here or there I suppose.