I started playing this game recently, knowing that the game is not on its best stage considering how old the game is...
main reason I started playing this game is because of that.
To start off with, you need to download ALOT of update patches etc that are like 2GB total. I bought the CD so that I don't have to deal with downloading million GB of file, I still had to update the game(which is normal) but surprisingly the patch was like 1GB or more.
Game itself is good, nice graphic, nice sound, great choice of character / classes.
But its definitely NOT newbie friendly.. I love the pvp part of it but I HATE the quests in this game.
The map in this game is so huge and will take you a while to get familiar with,
and it's almost impossible to memorize what enemy lies in which part of the map(since lots of monster looks the same with different name), and usually quest asks you to kill very specific monster that lies in a region.
What pissed me off, for most quests I just end up running around like an id1ot for 30minutes just to look for this 1 quest monster,
asking ppl on where these monsters are no use because not many remembers the name of each quest's monsters.
Not only monsters some quests will tell you to find or talk to someone in this specific location, and it is a pain in the back to find those NPCs. (yes I know the /where command, still)
When I first play an RPG I usually try to play most of the quest to enjoy the plot of the game, once I beat this game I'm just going to grind Lv and go pvp but as far as quests it is really irritating.
Besides the irritating traveling system where you have to spend 10minutes to go to about anywhere the game is good, good gameplay.
A bit overpriced almost 15$ per month..
I just wish they implement something like a 'dot' on the map to show where the next destination is on the map so that all the noobs like me won't quit this game before getting into the fun part.