The most unique and original MMORPG available to date. You won't reach Uber any time soon either. Which is a good thing
With that done, I have to admit the first week or two is generally the same for all new comers to Eve. Having been there myself and witnessing what other newcomers say there's a strong feeling of being overwhelmed, thankfully the tutorial has been extended and the first agent you're introduced to gives you eight missions which make up a story, which is intriguing enough plus it gives you a nice little present which you can sell on the market and hopefully use the ISK for a better ship.
This is my second character in Eve, and my second year in total. Both of my characters are good at what they do, but by no means have I reached any
upper limit, if there is one. You see the traditional levelling up by repeating actions goes out of the window in Eve-Online. Instead you purchase Skill books from the market and train them up. Purchasing skills takes money, in this game known as ISK, and they take time to train to the next level. Some of the more easier skills can be 15 to 20 minutes to train the first level, other high level skills could be around the four hour mark, and the really expensive skills for the new ships could mean training several skills for a couple of months.
Thankfully the training takes place when you are off line, but they don't automatically continue training to the next level once it completes. Avoiding as much downtime (the amount of time your character isn't training anything), is the best way of maximising your character as quickly and as effeciently as possible.
Graphics are great, the lag can be a downer sometimes but this is the sort of game that you don't need to be doing anything while having a good time. I'm sure some people use it as a graphical chat room atleast once or twice a week when they're just not in the mood to do anything in game.
The sound can be a distraction more often than not but turning it off can mean you don't notice the approach of npc pirates when out mining which means they might get the first shots in, but the earlier ones shouldn't cause anyone too much of a problem.
Eve Radio, which is not officially offiliated with CCP, is an internet radio station broadcasting 24 hours a day run by people who play and more importantly enjoy Eve. Music genres are all encompasing so there's a programme slot that you'll enjoy.
PVP is restricted to certain solar systems, bear that in mind and you'll be fine. It's quite reasonable and possible to play and enjoy this game without ever experiencing player versus player, but that's missing out on a great aspect so get into a corp and learn how to do this. Or just go to the pvp systems and I'm sure you'll find somoene willing to teach you a few lessons.
With the three month pricing option it's the cost of a regular priced game and that represents the best value for money ever because the updates are free of charge and the game is always being improved upon. The "nerfs", can feel unfair but in the long run the balancing is reasonable. If you can adapt you can survive.
14 days free trials are available, just give it a go and check it out. The first three days may not be as comfortable as it could be but bear with it because the gaming possibilities are huge and the social interactions are varied.