While not a RPG, what we need more are games like Darksiders where you start very powerful with all kinds of godly powers, but soon after the start you are stripped out of those powers. Ha-ha!

No, I can't say that the "you are a weakling again" has ever really bothered me. Probably the opposite, as I like the feeling in classic RPGs where you start as weak character/party and work your way to become the fearsome protagonist. Especially if I jump in to some CPRG series in the middle, instead of starting it from the very first part of the series.

In fact, I dislike the experience points cap in Baldur's Gate, which is there apparently so that your party would be around level 8-10 when you go to Baldur's Gate 2.

In that sense I wouldn't mind if the CRPGs were not necessarily sequels. I presume I can enjoy Planescape: Torment even though it is not a sequel to Baldur's Gate 2 or Icewind Dale 2. I guess people can enjoy the Torment "sequel" (kickstarter) even if you have to start as a brand new, weak, character.

I don't recall how it was with e.g. Might&Magic RPGs. I started the series properly from MM6, and then played MM7 and MM8. I don't recall transferring my party from game to game, but restart with a fresh party on each case. No recollection if they were already quite powerful in the beginning.

To me the question is not that different that whether when I start Serious Sam - Second Encounter, should I already have all the most powerful weapons that I had at the end of the first Serious Sam? Or in the beginning of Wing Commander 2, should I be able to use the most powerful ships and weapons from the first game?

I didn't mind starting those sequels as a weakling, and I guess the same applies to CRPGs.

*chuckles* Well, but after fighting golems, hell hounds, renegade mages and strygas while *plowing* almost any named women in the game, including *the* Lady of the Lake™ he fails utterly against conscripted recruits with spears.

The Bards Tale, and the Ancients games also let you import your old characters. If only Skyrim could do that. :P

In all fairness when I play a game, take Gothic for example, and play the shit out of it and then stop and come back six months later I pretty much have to relearn the whole thing. Stands to reason that given however many years lay between between a game and it's sequel that your character is going to be a tad rusty to say the least.