Just call a spade a spade... GW1 sucked rocks... The game was absolutely horrid, and before anyone starts talking about how many players GW1 had or currently has; Apple computers sell a sh*t load of Macs too... it doesnt make them any good lol. I will be very skeptical until I actually try the game, because past history is a pretty good indicator of what to expect in the future; just sayin...
GW1 wasn't an MMORPG and certainly isn't for everybody. It certainly didn't mean that it sucked. I have no idea where you pulled the Mac comparison from . . . that was an impressive logical leap.
However, there are many elements from GW1 that have made there way into GW2 so I suppose GW2 won't be for you either.
Just call a spade a spade... GW1 sucked rocks... The game was absolutely horrid, and before anyone starts talking about how many players GW1 had or currently has; Apple computers sell a sh*t load of Macs too... it doesnt make them any good lol. I will be very skeptical until I actually try the game, because past history is a pretty good indicator of what to expect in the future; just sayin...
GW1 wasn't an MMORPG and certainly isn't for everybody. It certainly didn't mean that it sucked. I have no idea where you pulled the Mac comparison from . . . that was an impressive logical leap.
However, there are many elements from GW1 that have made there way into GW2 so I suppose GW2 won't be for you either.
Basically saying, just because something is popular doesnt mean its actually good...
Whats funny is a lot of GW2 fans aren't nearly as hyped as the nay sayers wish or assume or claim they are.
Just read the GW2 hype threads, they're actually rather calm and reserved compared to the flame threads.
LOL, seriously? GW2 is the most hyped game I've ever seen on this site. Look at the member ratings of it (without playing it). Have you even read these threads, and even the official articles published on this site??? Below is a quote from the most recent MMORPG editorial on GW2:
"The game combines these two styles of MMOs and gives us some kind of mutant newborn baby of awesome that breathes freaking dragon fire… """"
So please, stop with the pretending here. GW2 hype machine is in overdrive. I even get sucked into the hype sometimes, but then usually step back and take a deep breath and remember how many times we've been burned before...
GW2 "built from the ground up with microtransactions in mind" 1) Cash->Gems->Gold->Influence->WvWvWBoosts = PAY2WIN 2) Mystic Chests = Crass in-game cash shop advertisements
Just call a spade a spade... GW1 sucked rocks... The game was absolutely horrid, and before anyone starts talking about how many players GW1 had or currently has; Apple computers sell a sh*t load of Macs too... it doesnt make them any good lol. I will be very skeptical until I actually try the game, because past history is a pretty good indicator of what to expect in the future; just sayin...
Do note that GW1 was not a mmo. Anet never called it an mmo nor tried to make it an mmo. So if you played GW1 expecting it to be one, it made sense you were disappointed. GW1 was merely an online rpg, initially with most of it's focus on pvp. That said, for what it tried to do, I think it did it well. I spent thousands of hours in the game but it just isn't for everyone, nor is GW2 going to be, even though it's an actual mmo this time around.
Meh. We'll be waiting here to feed on your tears. The more hype just means more tears to feed on.
So you are saying that rather than wanting for new and exciting games, you are here to gloat and poke fun at those who are disapointed in their game of choice.
well for one, everything in GW2 is done differently. pve, pvp, balance, graphics, you name it. everything is fresh. nobody can make you see it lol. u just trollin.
the only tears being shed right now are those of the press beta testers who wanna play more. they can hype away for all i care.
Just call a spade a spade... GW1 sucked rocks... The game was absolutely horrid, and before anyone starts talking about how many players GW1 had or currently has; Apple computers sell a sh*t load of Macs too... it doesnt make them any good lol. I will be very skeptical until I actually try the game, because past history is a pretty good indicator of what to expect in the future; just sayin...
Do note that GW1 was not a mmo. Anet never called it an mmo nor tried to make it an mmo. So if you played GW1 expecting it to be one, it made sense you were disappointed. GW1 was merely an online rpg, initially with most of it's focus on pvp. That said, for what it tried to do, I think it did it well. I spent thousands of hours in the game but it just isn't for everyone, nor is GW2 going to be, even though it's an actual mmo this time around.
Personally, I cant stand this argument... People use it to justify how bad the game was, and in turn use it as to why GW2 will be so great... This is directly from GW website...
"Guild Wars takes the best elements of today's massively multiplayer online games and combines them with a new mission-based design that eliminates some of the more tedious aspects of those games."
Yup, not an MMO... at all... even though their own site refers to it as one.........
Ive been following mmorpg (the site) for some years. Ive never seen professional reviewers get so hyped as the ones that got to play in the beta press. That reaction is not restricted to this site, most of the press guys who took part in the beta were clearly astounded by the quality of the game.
Yeah, yeah i know wht youre going to say "they get paid for that, they do it for the money, they do it so they get invited next time too and have prime news competition wont have...." That could be applied to any number of previous mmos before, some of them on a bigger budget than GW 2 and it hasnt happened, at least not with this intensity.
They didnt sound like journalists, they sounded like gamers, and when a mmo can make a hardener pro act like that, i assume its good.
Then you missed the DCUO and SWTOR hype they had before and just after launch. GW2 is just the latest for them.
Got to love these Wow clone posts. I long for the days when MMO's had smal tight knit communities. Now every snot-nosed brat that has a PC and voice their opinion on what they know nothing about. I remember when WOW came out no one was ranting on how much of an EQ clone it was.
Just call a spade a spade... GW1 sucked rocks... The game was absolutely horrid, and before anyone starts talking about how many players GW1 had or currently has; Apple computers sell a sh*t load of Macs too... it doesnt make them any good lol. I will be very skeptical until I actually try the game, because past history is a pretty good indicator of what to expect in the future; just sayin...
Do note that GW1 was not a mmo. Anet never called it an mmo nor tried to make it an mmo. So if you played GW1 expecting it to be one, it made sense you were disappointed. GW1 was merely an online rpg, initially with most of it's focus on pvp. That said, for what it tried to do, I think it did it well. I spent thousands of hours in the game but it just isn't for everyone, nor is GW2 going to be, even though it's an actual mmo this time around.
Personally, I cant stand this argument... People use it to justify how bad the game was, and in turn use it as to why GW2 will be so great... This is directly from GW website...
"Guild Wars takes the best elements of today's massively multiplayer online games and combines them with a new mission-based design that eliminates some of the more tedious aspects of those games."
Yup, not an MMO... at all... even though their own site refers to it as one.........
First of all:
What kind of game is Guild Wars?
Guild Wars is a global online roleplaying game. Players can engage in cooperative group combat, in single player adventures, or in large head-to-head guild battles. Guild Wars is a mission-based game set in a stunning 3D fantasy world that offers excellent support for guilds. Because the team that developed Guild Wars had experience creating successful online game series such as Warcraft, StarCraft and Diablo, the members used their familiarity with the complex issues surrounding online games to create a game that is both easy to learn and compelling to play long term, and yet does not require players to spend hundreds of hours slogging through the preparation just to get to the fun bits.
Second of all I specifically said I think GW1 was not a bad game. Selective reading much?
Just call a spade a spade... GW1 sucked rocks... The game was absolutely horrid, and before anyone starts talking about how many players GW1 had or currently has; Apple computers sell a sh*t load of Macs too... it doesnt make them any good lol. I will be very skeptical until I actually try the game, because past history is a pretty good indicator of what to expect in the future; just sayin...
Although completely subjective i kind of agree with you. I tried GW1's beta and knew from the first day that i wouldnt get into the game. It had an odd Eastern feel to it similar to Lineage and with zero lore or community information driving me i just couldnt be brought to care about my character or the game.
However, GW2 has shown something that i do have knowledge and experience with and will drive me to continue playing it through the first days and thats the world PvP system. i know how great "RvR" can be from DAOC and how a community is shaped around it and its something i want to experience again, with a 21st century interface.
I'm going to find out what the game is all about myself, I just don't see what is so special about the game.
i was getting a headache until i read this. i'm glad you're willing to see for yourself what they're trying to do. see you in game!
EDIT: @castille: i recommend tea and sleep. flu is nothing your body can't handle, you just need to pamper yourself a bit (aka: be lazy). and don't decide to go out and about when you're just feeling a little better (you'll end up sick again).
Just call a spade a spade... GW1 sucked rocks... The game was absolutely horrid, and before anyone starts talking about how many players GW1 had or currently has; Apple computers sell a sh*t load of Macs too... it doesnt make them any good lol. I will be very skeptical until I actually try the game, because past history is a pretty good indicator of what to expect in the future; just sayin...
Do note that GW1 was not a mmo. Anet never called it an mmo nor tried to make it an mmo. So if you played GW1 expecting it to be one, it made sense you were disappointed. GW1 was merely an online rpg, initially with most of it's focus on pvp. That said, for what it tried to do, I think it did it well. I spent thousands of hours in the game but it just isn't for everyone, nor is GW2 going to be, even though it's an actual mmo this time around.
Personally, I cant stand this argument... People use it to justify how bad the game was, and in turn use it as to why GW2 will be so great... This is directly from GW website...
"Guild Wars takes the best elements of today's massively multiplayer online games and combines them with a new mission-based design that eliminates some of the more tedious aspects of those games."
Yup, not an MMO... at all... even though their own site refers to it as one.........
That quote you just linked doesn't actually refer to GW1 as an MMO.
"Gamers will no longer buy the argument that every MMO requires a subscription fee to offset server and bandwidth costs. It's not true you know it, and they know it."-Jeff Strain, co-founder of ArenaNet, 2007
It isn't going to be for everyone. There are a lot of things that pique my interest, but far as being special. Eh, maybe the whole W v W v W could be because I missed out on that in DAOC. Never played that game. Suppose maybe that could be for me if they pull it off in this game.
Game just interests me at this point. Until I play for myself hard for me to determine what I feel the game offers or if it is great entertainment.
The level some writers are going to is rather eyerolling. I'm glad they're enjoying the game and love their feedback but christ some could tone it down a bit. Most times I simply find that irritating not to mention when they do this they tend to build unrealistic expectations for many. Which leads to disappointment more often than not and people to judge things much more harshly than they would have if the game wasn't treated like the digital messiah.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
Got to love these Wow clone posts. I long for the days when MMO's had smal tight knit communities. Now every snot-nosed brat that has a PC and voice their opinion on what they know nothing about. I remember when WOW came out no one was ranting on how much of an EQ clone it was.
Hmmm, I'm not so sure about that.
From this site's original review: "Why in the world is this game so popular when other big budget, highly anticipated, well conceived games are only seeing a fraction of the subscribers World of Warcraft (a.k.a. WoW) is? What is driving people to Blizzard's offering in droves? The answer can be found in the game itself. While other developers have spent time introducing new features and retooling the formula that has worked in many other games, Blizzard has taken all the best features of the standard MMORPG and amplified them. There's nothing here that hasn't been offered before, but it's the way in which WoW implements all the familiar trappings and integrates them into an engaging persistent world that gives the game its duende."
Sure, they didn't expressly say "EQ clone", but it is, and has been ever since, implied.
I want a mmorpg where people have gone through misery, have gone through school stuff and actually have had sex even. -sagil
Then you missed the DCUO and SWTOR hype they had before and just after launch. GW2 is just the latest for them.
Yep.
...and Warhammer...and AoC....
Frankly, I hope this game is incredible and I see a lot of potential but seriously...
I can't take the bulk of these writers even remotely at their word beyond actual facts they relate about the game. It is like objectivity is a completely foreign concept to them anymore.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
Got to love these Wow clone posts. I long for the days when MMO's had smal tight knit communities. Now every snot-nosed brat that has a PC and voice their opinion on what they know nothing about. I remember when WOW came out no one was ranting on how much of an EQ clone it was.
Hmmm, I'm not so sure about that.
From this site's original review: "Why in the world is this game so popular when other big budget, highly anticipated, well conceived games are only seeing a fraction of the subscribers World of Warcraft (a.k.a. WoW) is? What is driving people to Blizzard's offering in droves? The answer can be found in the game itself. While other developers have spent time introducing new features and retooling the formula that has worked in many other games, Blizzard has taken all the best features of the standard MMORPG and amplified them. There's nothing here that hasn't been offered before, but it's the way in which WoW implements all the familiar trappings and integrates them into an engaging persistent world that gives the game its duende."
Sure, they didn't expressly say "EQ clone", but it is, and has been ever since, implied.
Well yeah because they know the definition of the word CLONE.
Which no one on this site seems to be aware of...
If you google it there are words like "identical" which again, I don't see Taruen or Merlocs in EQ, or in RIFT.... I don't see the same number or types of classes, the same number or types of races...
Even the mechanics are different, how to loot, how to play...
EQ's party system was quite a bit different than WoWs was and is...
WoW isn't an EQ clone, Rift isn't a WoW clone. We just really like to miss use terms or invent new meanings for old words.
Just call a spade a spade... GW1 sucked rocks... The game was absolutely horrid, and before anyone starts talking about how many players GW1 had or currently has; Apple computers sell a sh*t load of Macs too... it doesnt make them any good lol. I will be very skeptical until I actually try the game, because past history is a pretty good indicator of what to expect in the future; just sayin...
Do note that GW1 was not a mmo. Anet never called it an mmo nor tried to make it an mmo. So if you played GW1 expecting it to be one, it made sense you were disappointed. GW1 was merely an online rpg, initially with most of it's focus on pvp. That said, for what it tried to do, I think it did it well. I spent thousands of hours in the game but it just isn't for everyone, nor is GW2 going to be, even though it's an actual mmo this time around.
Personally, I cant stand this argument... People use it to justify how bad the game was, and in turn use it as to why GW2 will be so great... This is directly from GW website...
"Guild Wars takes the best elements of today's massively multiplayer online games and combines them with a new mission-based design that eliminates some of the more tedious aspects of those games."
Yup, not an MMO... at all... even though their own site refers to it as one.........
Taking features from current MMOs, does not make your game a MMO. It just makes your game a game with some specific MMO features.
So far from all the footage of Guild Wars 2 that I've seen, you log in, create a character and start doing standard MMO quests. I couldn't see what was different about the game, the graphics look like the standard dated cartoony style we see in every MMO since WoW, the UI looked the same, the combat looked the same too. People are saying it is getting rid of the Holy Trinity, I've heard that all before too and tbh it is still based on it but by the looks of it every class can do most things like heal. In MMOs I've played which do this in the past, you still have the Holy Trinity there but it just makes each class more generic and they all mostly play the same.
First off, you are wrong in saying that people haven't played GW2. More people played GW2 then SWTOR and RIFT until the two games launched. Or at least, more people played it publicly without NDAs.
To point out some of your arguments...
The U.I. does not look like WoW's. Guild Wars 2 has 10 skills, total, period. Find me a screenshot or video of GW2 having tons of skill slots with swappable slot bars and I will admit my wrong. Things will of course not change, like chat and compass. Even the compass is neater since you can zoom in and drag the compass map around to see further around you.
The combat cannot look like WoW's. WoW's combat, along with many MMO's are based off dice rolls. GW2 has like 5% of its combat based on dice rolls. You as a player will have to didge, block, and miss. This is different to other games since other games will simply throw up the word "dodged" even though your character stands still not moving a single step.
I personally do not see the correlation between graphics. I see on one side the games like WoW, LOTRO, and SWTOR having "similar" graphics. The other side are more detailed games like Rift, AOC, and GW2. This is not to say that GW2 has better graphics than WoW, this is only to say they do not resemble the same style. Look at the human figures in GW2 and WoW. You really mean that people who walk down the street have huge shoulders with enormous forearms and gian thighs? No... they don't. GW2 has proportions that are a lot more correct than WoW.
I have not played long enough to argue the holy trinity, but I will say this - There is not a single class who can Heal the whole team, nor is there a single class who can tank for the whole team. This is a design decision that ArenaNet specifically made to ensure that in order to heal the party, multiple players would have to contribute. Same thing with tanking. One class cannot tank by himself, players are just not that tough. In order to tank, the team will "hopefully" be forced to spread damage overall.
There is another HUGE aspect that people seem to forget. There is no mana, and each class has 5 skills that do damage. (or the majority of the first five skills will cause damage.) This means, that those first five skills are FREE. If you only play heals and are not using your first five skills, then you are NOT as needed as another player who WILL use his first five skills. You have absolutely nothing to lose if you use your damaging skills. This alone will right off the bat kill a dedicated DPS class. Each class has FREE damage they can provide. As seen in a lot of videos, the damage is pretty decent across the board.
There's no need to defend the fact that you see nothing special about it. I'm personally baffled by games like The Secret World, which looks entirely bland and unappealing to me, yet so many people are very excited about it. Not every game is going to tick all the right boxes. Obviously GW2 is something a lot of people are looking forward to at the moment and individually do see elements that might be a breath of fresh air.
While the game itself is very very far from what I'd describe as my dream MMO, after seeing the mechanics and systems of the game in action for myself, my opinion of it changed drastically (having initially all but written it off due to GW1 not really resonating with me) and I can't find any reason to think it won't be a fun game. I have no idea how long it will last me, but I'm looking forward to playing through their approach of addressing common MMO issues.
I personally see many areas of the game that do look 'special', primarily because they're a fresh approach to staple mechanics that have stagnated and largely remained unchanged during the 7 year drought (apparently veering from WoWs blueprint was too risky for any funders). That is to say, I don't think these mechanics remained unchanged because they were at the pinnacle of perfection, but rather developers were too afraid of the risk or not creative enough to brainstorm successful alternatives.
Most importantly, regardless of whether I play GW2 for years or a month, I think it's guaranteed it will have a positive impact on future game design, while games like Swtor, which so closely follow established moulds, barely seemed to make a ripple on the pond. If GW2 is fairly successful, which is certainly looking likely at least in terms of box sales, it will most likely remind developers that it's once again safe to make more than just WoW clones.
Comments
GW1 wasn't an MMORPG and certainly isn't for everybody. It certainly didn't mean that it sucked. I have no idea where you pulled the Mac comparison from . . . that was an impressive logical leap.
However, there are many elements from GW1 that have made there way into GW2 so I suppose GW2 won't be for you either.
Basically saying, just because something is popular doesnt mean its actually good...
LOL, seriously? GW2 is the most hyped game I've ever seen on this site. Look at the member ratings of it (without playing it). Have you even read these threads, and even the official articles published on this site??? Below is a quote from the most recent MMORPG editorial on GW2:
"The game combines these two styles of MMOs and gives us some kind of mutant newborn baby of awesome that breathes freaking dragon fire… """"
So please, stop with the pretending here. GW2 hype machine is in overdrive. I even get sucked into the hype sometimes, but then usually step back and take a deep breath and remember how many times we've been burned before...
GW2 "built from the ground up with microtransactions in mind"
1) Cash->Gems->Gold->Influence->WvWvWBoosts = PAY2WIN
2) Mystic Chests = Crass in-game cash shop advertisements
Do note that GW1 was not a mmo. Anet never called it an mmo nor tried to make it an mmo. So if you played GW1 expecting it to be one, it made sense you were disappointed. GW1 was merely an online rpg, initially with most of it's focus on pvp. That said, for what it tried to do, I think it did it well. I spent thousands of hours in the game but it just isn't for everyone, nor is GW2 going to be, even though it's an actual mmo this time around.
Not just on this site...it's everywhere!
Meh. We'll be waiting here to feed on your tears. The more hype just means more tears to feed on.
Taru-Gallante-Blood elf-Elysean-Kelari-Crime Fighting-Imperial Agent
So you are saying that rather than wanting for new and exciting games, you are here to gloat and poke fun at those who are disapointed in their game of choice.
Talk about ridiculous?
well for one, everything in GW2 is done differently. pve, pvp, balance, graphics, you name it. everything is fresh. nobody can make you see it lol. u just trollin.
the only tears being shed right now are those of the press beta testers who wanna play more. they can hype away for all i care.
Personally, I cant stand this argument... People use it to justify how bad the game was, and in turn use it as to why GW2 will be so great... This is directly from GW website...
"Guild Wars takes the best elements of today's massively multiplayer online games and combines them with a new mission-based design that eliminates some of the more tedious aspects of those games."
Yup, not an MMO... at all... even though their own site refers to it as one.........
Zaryn, we get it, you didn't like Guild Wars, move on.
Then you missed the DCUO and SWTOR hype they had before and just after launch. GW2 is just the latest for them.
Got to love these Wow clone posts. I long for the days when MMO's had smal tight knit communities. Now every snot-nosed brat that has a PC and voice their opinion on what they know nothing about. I remember when WOW came out no one was ranting on how much of an EQ clone it was.
Guild Wars 2 will do very well. B2P alone will guarantee that.
"The person who experiences greatness must have a feeling for the myth he is in."
First of all:
What kind of game is Guild Wars?
Second of all I specifically said I think GW1 was not a bad game. Selective reading much?
Although completely subjective i kind of agree with you. I tried GW1's beta and knew from the first day that i wouldnt get into the game. It had an odd Eastern feel to it similar to Lineage and with zero lore or community information driving me i just couldnt be brought to care about my character or the game.
However, GW2 has shown something that i do have knowledge and experience with and will drive me to continue playing it through the first days and thats the world PvP system. i know how great "RvR" can be from DAOC and how a community is shaped around it and its something i want to experience again, with a 21st century interface.
Yeah, I agree. Read up, watch vids, learn about the game. If the answer isn't clearly self-evident after that, give the game a pass. No harm, no foul.
That quote you just linked doesn't actually refer to GW1 as an MMO.
"Gamers will no longer buy the argument that every MMO requires a subscription fee to offset server and bandwidth costs. It's not true you know it, and they know it." -Jeff Strain, co-founder of ArenaNet, 2007
It isn't going to be for everyone. There are a lot of things that pique my interest, but far as being special. Eh, maybe the whole W v W v W could be because I missed out on that in DAOC. Never played that game. Suppose maybe that could be for me if they pull it off in this game.
Game just interests me at this point. Until I play for myself hard for me to determine what I feel the game offers or if it is great entertainment.
The level some writers are going to is rather eyerolling. I'm glad they're enjoying the game and love their feedback but christ some could tone it down a bit. Most times I simply find that irritating not to mention when they do this they tend to build unrealistic expectations for many. Which leads to disappointment more often than not and people to judge things much more harshly than they would have if the game wasn't treated like the digital messiah.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
Hmmm, I'm not so sure about that.
From this site's original review: "Why in the world is this game so popular when other big budget, highly anticipated, well conceived games are only seeing a fraction of the subscribers World of Warcraft (a.k.a. WoW) is? What is driving people to Blizzard's offering in droves? The answer can be found in the game itself. While other developers have spent time introducing new features and retooling the formula that has worked in many other games, Blizzard has taken all the best features of the standard MMORPG and amplified them. There's nothing here that hasn't been offered before, but it's the way in which WoW implements all the familiar trappings and integrates them into an engaging persistent world that gives the game its duende."
Sure, they didn't expressly say "EQ clone", but it is, and has been ever since, implied.
I want a mmorpg where people have gone through misery, have gone through school stuff and actually have had sex even. -sagil
I tremble at your ominous portent.
Yep.
...and Warhammer...and AoC....
Frankly, I hope this game is incredible and I see a lot of potential but seriously...
I can't take the bulk of these writers even remotely at their word beyond actual facts they relate about the game. It is like objectivity is a completely foreign concept to them anymore.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
Well yeah because they know the definition of the word CLONE.
Which no one on this site seems to be aware of...
If you google it there are words like "identical" which again, I don't see Taruen or Merlocs in EQ, or in RIFT.... I don't see the same number or types of classes, the same number or types of races...
Even the mechanics are different, how to loot, how to play...
EQ's party system was quite a bit different than WoWs was and is...
WoW isn't an EQ clone, Rift isn't a WoW clone. We just really like to miss use terms or invent new meanings for old words.
Taking features from current MMOs, does not make your game a MMO. It just makes your game a game with some specific MMO features.
First off, you are wrong in saying that people haven't played GW2. More people played GW2 then SWTOR and RIFT until the two games launched. Or at least, more people played it publicly without NDAs.
To point out some of your arguments...
The U.I. does not look like WoW's. Guild Wars 2 has 10 skills, total, period. Find me a screenshot or video of GW2 having tons of skill slots with swappable slot bars and I will admit my wrong. Things will of course not change, like chat and compass. Even the compass is neater since you can zoom in and drag the compass map around to see further around you.
The combat cannot look like WoW's. WoW's combat, along with many MMO's are based off dice rolls. GW2 has like 5% of its combat based on dice rolls. You as a player will have to didge, block, and miss. This is different to other games since other games will simply throw up the word "dodged" even though your character stands still not moving a single step.
I personally do not see the correlation between graphics. I see on one side the games like WoW, LOTRO, and SWTOR having "similar" graphics. The other side are more detailed games like Rift, AOC, and GW2. This is not to say that GW2 has better graphics than WoW, this is only to say they do not resemble the same style. Look at the human figures in GW2 and WoW. You really mean that people who walk down the street have huge shoulders with enormous forearms and gian thighs? No... they don't. GW2 has proportions that are a lot more correct than WoW.
I have not played long enough to argue the holy trinity, but I will say this - There is not a single class who can Heal the whole team, nor is there a single class who can tank for the whole team. This is a design decision that ArenaNet specifically made to ensure that in order to heal the party, multiple players would have to contribute. Same thing with tanking. One class cannot tank by himself, players are just not that tough. In order to tank, the team will "hopefully" be forced to spread damage overall.
There is another HUGE aspect that people seem to forget. There is no mana, and each class has 5 skills that do damage. (or the majority of the first five skills will cause damage.) This means, that those first five skills are FREE. If you only play heals and are not using your first five skills, then you are NOT as needed as another player who WILL use his first five skills. You have absolutely nothing to lose if you use your damaging skills. This alone will right off the bat kill a dedicated DPS class. Each class has FREE damage they can provide. As seen in a lot of videos, the damage is pretty decent across the board.
There's no need to defend the fact that you see nothing special about it. I'm personally baffled by games like The Secret World, which looks entirely bland and unappealing to me, yet so many people are very excited about it. Not every game is going to tick all the right boxes. Obviously GW2 is something a lot of people are looking forward to at the moment and individually do see elements that might be a breath of fresh air.
While the game itself is very very far from what I'd describe as my dream MMO, after seeing the mechanics and systems of the game in action for myself, my opinion of it changed drastically (having initially all but written it off due to GW1 not really resonating with me) and I can't find any reason to think it won't be a fun game. I have no idea how long it will last me, but I'm looking forward to playing through their approach of addressing common MMO issues.
I personally see many areas of the game that do look 'special', primarily because they're a fresh approach to staple mechanics that have stagnated and largely remained unchanged during the 7 year drought (apparently veering from WoWs blueprint was too risky for any funders). That is to say, I don't think these mechanics remained unchanged because they were at the pinnacle of perfection, but rather developers were too afraid of the risk or not creative enough to brainstorm successful alternatives.
Most importantly, regardless of whether I play GW2 for years or a month, I think it's guaranteed it will have a positive impact on future game design, while games like Swtor, which so closely follow established moulds, barely seemed to make a ripple on the pond. If GW2 is fairly successful, which is certainly looking likely at least in terms of box sales, it will most likely remind developers that it's once again safe to make more than just WoW clones.