Why don't you give it a try? There is a free trial.

The game is subtle and complex, with convoluted politics and a strong story.

I've semi-recently returned to Ryzom after the SoE-EQ2-EoF-Overseas bullshyte, and am so, so glad I did.

A couple of things to remember when trying out the trial (which I highly recommend you do);

The trial is very guided. You get a lot of exp per quest and some really nice item rewards for your effort.
Once you leave the Island to the mainland, both of those things stop pretty much.
Those who love a WoW-like, quest driven, uber-loot environment (not saying that in a bad way, some prefer that as their 'purpose') will find this uncomfortable perhaps.

But the moral of the game is that you grow how you want, create and craft your gear to the specifications you want - ie you make a Parry based Fighter, so you get strong parry and protection materials for your armour etc / you're a primary Healer, you get high heal power Amber to make your casting gloves with etc)
It is the only real 'sandbox' MMO I've played (never bothered with UO etc), and as such, it makes the whole MMO experience so much richer.

Ryzom is definitely not for all. Its focus isn't quests and loot, it's exploring, adventuring, digging and crafting.

Hell, just try the trial.
But when you do, remember that the world beyond that island is 100's times bigger, it is MUCH more ruthless and hard (in a very challenging way, not necessarily annoying way) and Ryzom is very much a team orientated game (for the combat types especially).

Seriously, all I can say is you got to try it out.

There are arenas for PvP, which are clearly defined and you'll know when you enter one.  You also, thankfully, have a little icon next to your name on the UI that you just click to turn PvP mode on/off.  The only catch is you have to be alligned to a faction to PvP (at least 30 points in faction for either side) to activate the flag, but the arenas are ffa.

Also to the OP:

If you're having graphical issues, I suggest you either ask about it on Universe chat or download the chatprogram called Klients.  In Klients they almost always have at least 3 game guides, game masters, or technical support employees hanging out in there ready to answer your questions about game issues.  =)  They are very helpful and knowledgable.  Hell, they even helped me sort out a technical issue with ANOTHER game--one that would be considered one of their competitors.  Which of course was ingenious as it makes you want to play SoR more since the people running the game are so generous.

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Originally posted by Paqman
I'm currious, is this a newb friendly MMO?
By this I mean are we automatically in PvP mode, or can we enable and disable it?

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Originally posted by Angelbound
Wow this sounds like something ill highly enjoy, the idea of walking your own path sounds amazing in a mmorpg. Now alot of things like exploring adventuring etc sounds like elements of everquest which I loved, hek my main was a bard and they are one of the hardest classes to play and were experts at exploring. The only thing im worried about is the being all classes in one, I mean you pretty much are all of the classes in one once you have 250 right? That just gives me no room for rerolling, do not get me wrong I love verstility in my classes but might pull me away.

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Originally posted by Angelbound
I mean you pretty much are all of the classes in one once you have 250 right? That just gives me no room for rerolling, do not get me wrong I love verstility in my classes but might pull me away.

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Originally posted by Sxarlet

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Originally posted by Angelbound
I mean you pretty much are all of the classes in one once you have 250 right? That just gives me no room for rerolling, do not get me wrong I love verstility in my classes but might pull me away.

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hehe, its a skill based system, there are no classes. That means you can have a lvl250 skill in 2h swords, but still have a lvl10 in magic. (this wont happen a lot, but it is possible) But you can also level your magic at the same time, you can level any skill in the game at the same time.

And no, this does not make every character the same. Far from even. You really can make your characters the way you want them to, and decide the path they walk...

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Hi Angelbound!

It is not really possible to tell you if an EQ player such as yourself will like this game.  SoR is completely Alien to any other MMORPG out there.  It is almost asking what an Orange tastes like, it tastes like...a uh...Orange!  Pretty much the same with Ryzom, so many people say it's different from anything else, and they're right.  Everything about this game is unique, it's pretty crazy, and dangerously fun!  Try the Free trial!  If you like having fun, then play SoR! =P