its amazing how much bad press (and incorrect) its getting.
SOE did not make this, they just host it.. It is not a new game, but a game that has been running in non English areas for awhile successfully.
It is Asian (big eyes, big boobs) but tamed down to a less annoying state then it normally is if you don't like it.
it is grindy and old school (it states this in pretty much all the advertisements for it so if you don't like HARD, don't play it)
Graphics look badly dated, like a really good PS2 game, pretty bland dungeon and town wise.
Combat is a combination of Real time, blocking, and moving out of the way. Its interesting enough to make the game seem to take some skill.
Mana and health don't regen, again this is old school.
Right now I would suggest waiting a few days, week to try it. Its F2P and on STEAM.. its getting hammered harder then a nail in a Hammer convention. It takes 3-10 minutes to change a load screen, and often it will disconnect.. (this was not an issue till STEAM release day).
its PVP and item loot which means it will be OU shortly.. step out of safe zone, die instantly to somebody 50 levels over you, loss best item.
Of course it has penalties for ganking.. you can be killed by any "law abiding" person with no penalties to them.. so it encourages the Gankers to group up..
it is perma death, but only sort of.. if you have played any paper Roleplaying game.. there was always a chance of no rez if you died.. this is the same.. at start there is 0% chance you WONT rez.. as you level and get higher the chance of you joining the dust is higher and higher.
Why it wont make it:
its hard-
its skill based-
it rewards well rounded groups and teamwork-
Things that actually make it bad:
dated simple graphics
very slow solo play
repatative and simple tile sets
little to no story
It honestly wont be for many, I like it, but doubt many will.. we have all been WoWized.. this game is far more EverQuest then WoW..
"such as describing the world as a "collection of dungeon-related mini-games."
its just dungeons.. much like any of the old school RPG's where.. a town to buy, heal and get quests, then into a multi level dungeon to grind it out.. Most quests are Kill 20 beetles types. Most dungeons have mini bosses that are quests and many have spawned instances.. small area with 20 mobs, you clear it and can leave. I wouldn't call them Mini games.. every RPG has the kill 20.. this game doesn't try to disguise it.. its combat, leveling , skill tree management and equipment hunting like every other RPG, they just don't slow it down with time sinks (resource gathering, faction grinds). The time sink is the actual combat and dungeons.