I really like the User Interface, it is better than a lot of other games I have seen. Like was mentioned, it is a bit of an old school style interface, but it is very usable, functional, and straight forward. I also find it has a lot of really small features about it that I wish other game interfaces had.
The tutorials built into the game are not the best, but the starter / newbie island missions will teach you the basics of how to play the game. My recommendation is to run through it twice with 2 different characters. The first time to get the hang of things, the 2nd time to help solidify it. Part of the problem is the skill system can get pretty involved and VERY customizable, I am not sure if any tutorial can really prepare you for the options available, something you just kind of need to get the hang of by using it. Any toon can potentially play any type of role in a team (group) just by switching out your skills and tweaking them for the exact role you want to play. Well, granted you have leveled those particular skills up...
That leads into what you call a 'confusing skill system'.... it is not as much confusing as quite involved and very customizable. Just takes a little while to get the hang of it, but once you get the hang of it, it works very well. I do wish there were more games out there that had the versatility and options in the skill / class system as this one, but that is personal preference.
Autoloot is overrated. There have been a few MMOs out there I have played where I wish I could turn autoloot off in certain situations.
There is most definitely a main story, also tons of side stories. You just need to travel around and talk to NPCs to get some of those stories, if you are expecting the storylines to be shoved down your throat like some games do, you will be disappointed.
Grinding Quests? Out of the 20 or 25 MMOs I have played over the years, the ONLY I have ever played that did NOT have grinding quests was Dungeon Runners.... I miss that game.
The tutorials built into the game are not the best, but the starter / newbie island missions will teach you the basics of how to play the game. My recommendation is to run through it twice with 2 different characters. The first time to get the hang of things, the 2nd time to help solidify it. Part of the problem is the skill system can get pretty involved and VERY customizable, I am not sure if any tutorial can really prepare you for the options available, something you just kind of need to get the hang of by using it. Any toon can potentially play any type of role in a team (group) just by switching out your skills and tweaking them for the exact role you want to play. Well, granted you have leveled those particular skills up...
That leads into what you call a 'confusing skill system'.... it is not as much confusing as quite involved and very customizable. Just takes a little while to get the hang of it, but once you get the hang of it, it works very well. I do wish there were more games out there that had the versatility and options in the skill / class system as this one, but that is personal preference.
Autoloot is overrated. There have been a few MMOs out there I have played where I wish I could turn autoloot off in certain situations.
There is most definitely a main story, also tons of side stories. You just need to travel around and talk to NPCs to get some of those stories, if you are expecting the storylines to be shoved down your throat like some games do, you will be disappointed.
Grinding Quests? Out of the 20 or 25 MMOs I have played over the years, the ONLY I have ever played that did NOT have grinding quests was Dungeon Runners.... I miss that game.