[erikun]

Given your description of what you don't like in GURPS, I might suggest giving HeroQuest a look. It is very simple and non-detail oriented, very easy to create a character (with multiple methods), and is so focused on generating the narrative that is recommends making challanges harder/easier depending on recent successes of the party. It also has a number of rules that make the "create your own skills" type of system actually work, and combat is handled well and acts much like any other extended skill session.