Icewind Dale is hack and slash and very transparent hub and spoke. It is nothing like the BG series really. I can't fathom why it is ranked so high. Then again I can't fathom why half this list is like it is other than its some nostalgic trip or part of the "you're an rpgnoob if you don't love Fallout 1" mindset. Many modern games are far more enjoyable including the less loved titles here such as Fallout 3, NWN2, Mass Effect series, Oblivion, Gothic 3 etc. I'd rank any Spiderweb title above Arcanum or Icewind Dale (but not BG). Really the BG's are the only thing here I agree with.
Two things:
1. Again, the list was constructed from essentially a poll of sorts. Keep that in mind when judging this list.
2. Also remember that this is RPG Codex. Go over there and talk about how great ME, Fallout 3, or Oblivion are. See what happens, ;-)
In all seriousness, RPGC saves all of its new Fallout love for FNV, all of its Bethesda love for Morrowind, and all of its Bioware love for BG 1 and 2. Once you leave those bounds, you're more likely to see a game on the "Worst RPGs of All Time" list than the Best. In fact, I know that Fallout 3, Oblivion, DA2, and some of the MEs are pretty popular on the emerging 'Worst' list.
I'm not saying either side is right or wrong. I'm just pointing out that context matters. The RPG Codex is for a particular kind of RPG lover. The fact that so many RTwP games made the top 10 is more a testament to, especially, BG and PS:T's adoration than anything else. RPG Codex is virulent in its support of TB combat over RT and tends to frown on anything more action-y, more console-y, or, to be frank, more streamlined. The fact that the RPGC's owner (DarkUnderlord) nonchalantly states, "Haven't played it. Got bored with the combat system," for -every- RTwP game in the top 10 is especially notable here.