Well, since it's an RPG, then 3rd person would be more suitable. Real-time combat would be fine if the player controls only a single character, but for larger parties a turn-based system would be more practical. Something different would be good, though... not just a re-hash of Square's ATB which has just about been done to death by other game developers.

Creative = good

Something which gives the player full control over their character(s), within reason, while still being playable and logical.

Good luck!