D&D 5th Edition - free basic rules

[DHBirr]

I never played 4th Edition (or 3rd, for that matter, so I'm not well equipped to judge), but a description I heard of 4th -- from someone who was quite enthusiastic -- left me with the impression that it focused on combat mechanics to the detriment of role-playing.  Now, since my die rolls have a distinct tendency to, ah, "inhale strongly," role-playing, sometimes genuinely clever, was often all that saved my characters.  I once averted a battle with a virtually-demigod-level dragon by knowing the right words to induce cooperation:  "I persuaded your wife not to try killing you."  It didn't sound to me as if lines such as that would do me much good in a 4th Edition game.  
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Big Brother is watching you.  And damn, you are so bloody BORING.