The Gothics were NOT action rpg's. Many of the paths to game completion or more specifically 'quest' completion could be achieved without killing (combat action) - the word 'action' is being applied too loosely and too liberally. If the only way to complete quests was via combat action, then yes, they would qualify for arpg distinction.
I reached ch-5 in G1 often, without any combat killing. In G3 i went from Ardea to Xardas in Nordmar (1st main quest) without any combat or killing (to name a few, there are many more) therefore they cannot qualify as arpg's. The 'arpg' label must be only applied to games where progression can *only* or mostly be completed by action/combat with no other alternative role playing method, eg: Diablo etc'.