How are they going to redefine the standard for supposedly free to play microtransaction games? Are they just gonna start selling levels and maxed skillsets?

They mean quality standards...aka providing a F2P that can actually compare to P2P games in some form.

Originally posted by Lydon

They mean quality standards...aka providing a F2P that can actually compare to P2P games in some form.

How is competing with one's wallet, fun?

Buying your way to the top is fun for some people who can't get to the top in any other way. 

The game, so far, is pretty good imo. It's a fairly casual game on the PVE servers and the grind feels minimal but that's not unusual at lower levels. The graphic art is nice, the animations detailed, sound and music above average (what there is of it so far) for any FTP game I've played to date. Dual class system is interesting and gives you the opportunity to make a character for just about any play style. Very easy learning curve. Decent attention to storylines and quests. Very nice community (I play very late hours and not at peak hours so it may be slightly different for some).

I don't see anything that really sets the game apart from any other as far as UI, gameplay or combat system. It's gear based, very linear progression of difficulties of areas/mobs, not skill based and, of course, the easy way to do anything in the game involves the cash shop... suprise, suprise! Storage becomes a huge issue if you plan to really get into crafting and, depending on the class combo you choose, you will need 2 sets of armor which becomes cumbersome to an extent. Additional storeage can be "rented" with real life cash via "diamonds" but no permanent expansions exist for your "backpack" or "bank" however additional "storage chests" can be purchased for your house.

As good as it is... as comfortable as the gameplay feels... meh... it doesn't really hit the mark (for me) and the "rental" of storage just feels like a hand on my wallet. I travel a lot and it's not uncommon for me to not be able to game online for periods longer than a month. I'd hate to work up a collection of "stuff" and have it disappear because I didn't pay my "rent" in-game. I'd recommend the game to anyone despite my personal circumstances and feelings though. It is a compelling and comfortable game with minimal pressure to focus on leveling but things to do tend to dry up if you don't.

Overall I'd rate it 3/5. Not spectacular but still a nice game to play. Oh yes... did I mention the gold farmers and continuous messages warning of account bans for dealing with 3rd party sellers? Yeah they're here too and thanks to a standings and rankings board you get to see who is likely to be the farmer so I'd not recommend getting too wealthy lest you be thought of as a farmer *Cue footage of atomic bomb tests with Louis Armstrong singing "What a Wonderful World"*

I think that was a very good summary of the game Kartuhn.  The inventory problem was a big issue for me, not allowing you to permanently increase it, is a huge problem.  You basically can't craft unless you expand the bank and inventory spaces either, just too many things needed for such.

It is a very nice game, although the world is a bit small, of course that will change with time.

Originally posted by RedwoodSap 

How is competing with one's wallet, fun?

You clearly haven't played the game.