Need a game with heavy avatar development

Creasian

Graphics: Dont have to be superb.  However being easy on the eyes is pretty much a must.  As said it does not have to be top of the line but I would like to steer away from graphics on the scale of say Knight Online or Runescape.

Artistic Themes: I would like the good old Swords and magic setting.  The graphic layout can be mature anime-ish or realistic/mature modern.  However unless otherwise superb gameplay elements I would like to steer away from games with a more extreme childish anime artistic touches.

Examples from above: I enjoyed RO but dislike goonzu.

PVE or PVP: I dont mind pvp but as long as it is not a open season type.  I dont mind reaching a phase where I am on the open range but not one where it is max lvl vs lvl 1's.  I prefer a PVE strong system over a PVP one.  However I consider many elements on both sides to relate to what I enjoy so as said I dont mind a mmorpg with PVP.

Pretty much the thing I am looking for has a deep skill based system or class system with variety.  As far as grinding does it does not bother me if it is hardcore or not.  I just want a system that does make you consider your options and isnt one that is as complex as a hamster wheel.  I also dont mind if it is beta, trial, or released.  Nor do I have a issue with paying a subcription fee. 

I appreciate any replies.

Note: I have played EQ2, WoW, GW.  All of which came on a big plate and never quite filled me up.

Calal

Perhaps you could take a look at either the Saga of Ryzom or Eve Online? Both have trials at the moment.

The Saga of Ryzom has beautifull slight anime-style graphics with breathtaking landscapes and amazing environments. It has a skill-based level system based on 'stanzas', which are skill-bricks, allowing you to modify and customize your actions to your own needs. There are around 79 skills you can progress in seperatly without restrictions, other than time and the maximum levelcap of 250 in each skill. The system allows you to pick up any skill at any time; whatever you feel like doing, you just go out and train a skill to your choice and switch to another one if needed.
Even though the Saga of Ryzom is mostly to be considered as a PvE game there is the possibility of engaging in PvP; resource-acquisition, faction-battles, duels, ...
The recently released Ruins of Silan is a new 'tutorial/training' that should help you get on the right track concerning skills, stanzas and the lore.


Personally I haven' t played EvE, but from what I gather it has more than decent graphics, a non-restrictive skill-based system where time is the decisive factor in learning, and would be more PvP centered.
Probably best to leave this one to get answered by someone who actually plays EvE, as I don' t want to misinform you.

ozmono

I think Ryzom would suit pretty much all of your preferences aswell but as said above is slighty cartoony but others pretty much everything your after


However eve is hardly a  "good old sword and magic setting" your avatar cannot be taken out of space ship and pratically is the ship although you can customize a picture aswell

EDIT still kind of felt like a hamster in Ryzoms aswell though not half as much as in some other games and I'm much more agaisnt the grind than you say you are

xiousx

Try Turf Battles...you have 7 stats to consider when u put ur lvl points, very good PvE and PvP until about lvl 200...after that it gets boring, but still u have a few months of good fun. The graphs are real good for a F2P and the mods seem to care about the game.

Dont get confused by the site they have, it is 1 of the poorest sites i've seen but the game inside might be just what u are looking for