I tried getting into the game last year, and while I enjoyed the game for the most part, it was incredibly easy, to the point where combat seemed like something that got in the way rather than something to be enjoyed. I had healing spells, but I didn’t need them, and I was never at risk of dying. Doing any side-quests at all made me seriously over-leveled for story quests, and I wasn’t even getting into the story. I know you can just pay to skip the story, which doesn’t sound at all like a good idea (paying extra for less game?)
If they do something to make the game more interesting and challenging for newer players, I would gladly check it out again. But is this something that’s actually in the works?
The story is the main draw, and worth experiencing IMO, even if it takes forever to get going, but it’s still a good MMO. I don’t know if I’d call it “the best of all time,” but I’ve enjoyed my time with it. The reason I keep my sub between story patches is because I like hanging out with friends and being in the world, which is what an MMO is all about.
I don’t really have the time or interest for the super challenging content it offers, but I level jobs, I do treasure hunts with friends, I do Deep Dungeon, I obtain cool outfits, and I hang out at a friend’s RP bar.
Like any game, though, it’s not for everyone. If you like tab-target MMOs, WoW has better combat I think.