This game is an investment, you need to invest lots of time and money it, for a truly epic experience.
You get to create a character from a variety of races, then you have to choose a class, then a couple of professions! So many choices, and then in your class you have three talent routes to choose from! The sheer mass of choices and the sheer mass of game play can be startling at first, which is why I recommend you do some research before you purchase the game as to not be so overwhelmed, it will help you and help the other players trying to help you complete quests.
Sure the system is easy to use, but the rest of the saying is that it is difficult to master, which is true. To truly make a useful character for questing or PvP or both, is quite the task. You must select a class that suites you in a way, to keep your own interest, then pick the proper talent route. You can search all the terms and such on the WoW website and thottbot (the google for WoW players) to familiarize yourself with the game, so you are not deemed a noob, which is a horrible title to be named.
Because remember, at 15 bucks a month, you better be having a good time : )
The graphics are solid, they are eye candy without being too preachy during game play and are effective with the online play. You can up the settings if you have a nice strong computer and the highest possible internet connection, but that is not recommended, optimal game play is the best choice here, it is the choice above graphics when it comes to MMOs. Don't get me wrong, the graphics are PC quality however some textures get real up close and personal while walking through the forest and it looks somewhat cheesy.
The game play itself consists mainly of point and click, then using the wasd or arrow keys to move around. While many players don't like point and click games, this system optimizes game play (like the graphics) so you can get around the world and your spells/moves list with ease.
The quests however, are repetitious and so are the battles. Each quest will consist of either killing vast amounts of enemies, killing vast amounts of enemies for items from them, running errands, collecting items and etc. Each quest is the exact same, but disguised by a different character or different monster. All monsters and enemies in the game fight the exact same way, you are taking turns hitting each other even though the game has these time delays to make it feel like it isn't turn based, even though it truly blatantly is. Each monster is just a carbon copy of the other but with a slightly different style and the higher the level, they just have a higher attack and HP.
That isn't to say that it isn't fun. The first 20-30 levels are great (as I am level 30) but it really does suck up time, I'm at a point now where a good 3 hours of solid gaming will level me up once, but 3 hours for me is one good sitting, and I can not always do that. The problem lies in the monthly cost, which if you go away for a week on vacation with your family, your 15 bucks is still ticking, and your month is still running out. While you are sleeping, you are wasting money. While your at work or at school, you are wasting money on a single game.
The point is this, if you love RPGs, or like addicting repetitive games, then WoW is most definitely for you. I have enjoyed it, but the thought of purchasing another game card (I only bought one, and with the first month free I had 3 months) is agreeing with me. I would rather get a 360 and pay less then half for xbox live which would let me play every 360 game online (that has online play).
You need to have commitment, you need to be really bored and have some money just burning a hole in your pocket to get this game, because after you pay, theres no turning back.