These constant comparisons with GW2

AumHybrid

From what I can tell, people are comparing due to the battle system, similarities with how the world works, and the Kerran with the Charr.

Addressing the combat system first, I think that them going for this direction isn't a bad thing.  Not necessarily at least.  There is going to be a mix of at least 40 classes to make up these skills.  They have also said that the game would be largely gear based and there could be abilities linked to them too.

I'm not a fan of how GW2 battle system works, but that is only because of the fact that there isn't much customization to it and every fight turns into people bashing away at something until it dies, with a few exceptions.  I'm hoping that they can do this better.

I do realize that they said you wouldn't have to have a dedicated healer or tank, but that doesn't mean that they can't exist.  Surely there will be priest classes and SURELY they will have heals.  

As for the similarities with GW2 based of the way the quests work, GW2 is NOTHING like EQ Next.  If you have played GW2, you will know that it if full of scheduled events that happen over and over again and turn into a zergfest every time.  EQ Next is claiming to have a system that takes days or longer to complete and leads to an actual change in the world, such as the creation of an entire town, or the destruction of one.

They said that each server will eventually turn into it's own world with it's own set of events.  I fail to see how this is similar to GW2 and it's static event system AT ALL.  There is nothing that changes in GW2 that isn't completely scripted.

And don't compare the Kerran with the Charr because the Charr are so much cooler than them.  I've never liked the Kerran.  I don't really see any similarity besides the fact that they are cat people.  Oh, and now Kerran get to run on all fours.  So what?  It's awesome and I'm glad it was added.  I hope that elves have night vision too and I hope that Iksar can glide through water like it's no problem.