Western RPGs This Generation

i prefer the Japanese RPG to the Western RPG.  However, i still will play the occasional WRPG. 

WRPGs seem to be too open/sandbox at the expense of story telling.  You are basically playing as a character with little or no personality (and limited back story).  JRPGs seem to be more turn-based (my favorite) or hack and slash (action RPG).  Western games seem to be more shooter oriented - at least they seem to control more like a FPS.  i call titles like Oblivion and Mass Effect shooter RPGs.  JRPGs seem to be save the world (maybe from yourself) and overcome a large obstacle.  WRPGs tend to be a little different.  i prefer the way (cliched some would say) that JRPGs tackle story.  i guess it is sort of one is in control and the other is playing a role in a story.     

The first struggle with WRPGs is determining if something actually is an RPG.  Is it something with some form of leveling - not necessarily.  Is it conforming to certain story structures - not really.  If something has "RPG elements is it really an RPG?  Some of the games i have played that i don't consider RPGs (that some might): Mass Effect 2, BioShock, Overlord, Too Human (which is underrated, but frustrating).  Some i barely consider RPGs at all - like Fallout 3.

My personal favorites WRPG so far this generation (Xbox 360 only) are:
* Fable 3 (ok, questionable whether it is an RPG)
* Mass Effect (though 2 seems to have a little better story, but more annoying mechanics)
* Fable 2
* Marvel Ultimate Alliance - it is basically a hack and slash.  i guess it might be an RPG.
* Dragon Age Origins - it is farily generic and doesn't really stand out. It is probably the single weakest BioWare game i have played.  So why am i consdering getting the ultimate edition with all of the add-ons? 
* Two Worlds (well it would be if it wasn't a technical mess plagued by freezing).  Once again, a short and weak story that somehow seems inconsequential. 
* Fallout 3 - a shooter RPG, with a questionable story and one of the worst endings i have ever seen.  It is an interesting premise, but i'm not sure about the execution. 
* Oblivion - i really dislike being penalized for leveling up (enemies level up with you).  Bethesda games all seem to have annoying bugs when they launch (and freezing/crashing problems).