Die by the Sword was a great concept, and quite fun for what it was, but I'd hardly say that the system warranted adaptation in other games.* However, I think it would lend itself exceedingly well to an analogue thumbstick, funnily enough.
But, anything would be better than Morrowind's idiot system. No fucking wonder the "Always Use Best Attack" checkbox was included. The player should be able to control their swing completely independently of their movement, and it's especially idiotic for jab attacks to be tied into moving backwards. Guh.
I'm quite a fan of the intuitive way in which Mount and Blade handles directional swings. If you aim a bit to the left of your enemy, it swings from left to right (and beforehand, shows a small and inobtrusive arrow. really), if you aim to the right, it swings right to left, if you aim above, it chops, and if you aim just below, it jabs. Simple, effective, allows movement almost completely independent of swinging, and thoroughly satisfying. My only complaint would be a reliance on player skill.
It should also be noted that it's a pretty visceral experience too, despite being competent but unexciting visually. It's a great feeling to fell a foe with a forehand->backhand combo, or to hack a swath through the fuckers that just crippled your trusty steed. The emphasis on active blocking and parrying is also a welcome change from being an armour and hitpoints tank.
* Anyone ever get the expansion pack? Kobold hockey looked awesome, with teams of big, analogue swinging ogres smashing kobold's at each other's goal. Hooray for emergent gameplay!
OT: On the topic of wacky emergent gameplay minigames, any else played Flatout? The bonus games turn the fairly trivial hook of tossing drivers through windscreens into some fairly inspired "sporting" events.
