Standard MMORPG with great scenery and aesthetics.
As for what the game is like, it can be summed up simply as just a solid MMORPG. Although it has some great aspects to it, the game itself does not really feel like anything special. To start off with, I will discuss the aesthetics of the game.
In terms of MMORPG's, especially free-to-play ones, this game is top notch. The scenery and character design are absolutely gorgeous. The game looks superb with a great amount of detail focused on making it look pretty. If you want an MMORPG that simply looks pretty, this is the game for you. Bare in mind, not a whole lot is added beyond that.
The combat of the game does seem very clunky. It has a third-person shooter feel to it. You will use the cursor in the center to aim while using a mix of locking on and dodging. The dodging, charge attacks all feel solid. The problem I have with the combat is that it still feels like I am using a stick-figure to play. The character looks amazing, but the combat does not feel incredibly smooth. Although you are moving about quite a lot, you still suffer from a sluggish feel and lack of fluid-like combat that other games have. Even a game released in 2006, World of Warcraft, felt smoother. There is something about the models mixed with combat that is a bit upsetting.
The game does focus heavily on BAMs (they literally mean Big Ass Monster). They are the point of the game, hunting them down, and learning how best to defeat them. They are probably the best part of the game. You have to learn their attacks, how to dodge, when you attack, and actually plan it. There is some thought that went into designing them which worked well. Even their designs are varied and unique. They do unfortunately repeat some and their attacks repeat. Even the balancing of the game's BAMs seem a bit flawed. When you go through a dungeon, they are not balanced well at all. There will be instances where the second boss is far stronger then the last boss. There is no feel of gradual increase in difficulty. You will have a hard time with one boss and then the last one will be boringly easy.
The combat in PvP is alright but it has the flaws of PvE and PvP being tied together (like World of Warcraft had the same problem). You have some classes that are incredibly strong and borderline impossible to kill, while others feel flimsy and gimped. The bulk of the PvP is with small arenas and massive battlegrounds starting at level 30. Luckily, the developers were smart enough to realize that equalizing the gear is important (equalized means all the gear is essentially the same and everyone is 60. You do not have access to all level 60 skills if under 60 but they are strengthened to be strong enough for 60). The game does include guild wars which can be massive (I am on a PvP server and it happens all the time) but sadly my guild was not large enough to participate.
Overall the game is solid. The game is neither bad or amazing, it is just a good game. The leveling is pretty good and just by doing quest and PvP can get you to level 60, you almost never have to grind any monster or dungeon. The real grinding though begins when you get to 60; you will be grinding outdoor events like Nexus and battleground to get materials and reputation for gear. I say give the game a shot and try to level up a bit before putting it down.