While it is true that more things open up the higher you get, trust me you can have fun at lower levels. Also, I just jumped servers due to a buddy of mine in another state finding out he knew people who played and so we are starting new characters just to join in that guild. Solo vs group depends as much on you as your class. A lot of people whine about soloing, or a given class is gimped when in fact they just don't know how to play the class effectively, I loved my Thane, kicked major butt, but I am in a steep learing curve with my Spiritmaster and Bonedancers...I suck at playing mages so I don't complain the classes are gimped...I get killed my equal lvl mobs while my buddy solo's oranges and reds.... The point here is the game has what you take out of it. Tons of quests if you like storyline, plenty of mobs for killing, loot is logical (few if any magic items off of animals, but lots of body parts to sell), and even if you don't get Trials of Atlantis etc, you can upgrade the game engine to Catacombs and the graphics are much improved.... Just random thoughts from someone who likes to think he's not a newbie ;)