Nice review. The thing that got me to try the game were the graphics, I loved cell-shading in zelda: windwaker on gamecube and was really curious how it would do with a MMO. And, well, it's not bad. It could be better but there are some truely beautiful places, particularly when you are flying and looking at he landscape.
I've played a character up to level 130 so I can add a little more. It's questing all the way. Mobs actually gives so few xp that you have no choice but questing to level. Don't be affraid to run out of quest, there are literally hundreds (maybe thousand) of them.
I'm also surprised you didn't talk about the daily scripted events. Probably because you need level 30 to take part in the 1st event, but there are events taking place every hour or so, starting at lvl30 up to lvl100+. Some but not limited to: Q&A (general knowledge), monster slaying (you have to kill as many monsters as you can in 15min), creative contest (craft as many items as you can in 15min)...
The pet system is also very interesting, you can have a pet at lvl30 and ride it at lvl40 (note that your pet can't be higher lvl than you). Pets are very important because they boost significantly your stats.
The major downside of this game is the item mall, I wouldn't mind if it wasn't such a big deal at high lvl. Some items can only be obtained by paying gold (i.e.: real money) and gives a huge boost to your char at higher lvl. Considering PvP is a very important part of the game, it's just not really fair because there's no other way to get those items.
Oh one last thing: every class get a talent called "Shapeshift" at lvl 90 (that is if you put all your talent points into the same tree). This skill transform your character during a limited period of time (but long enough to cast it again when the timer is over) and not only boost your hp/mp but gives you some nasty skills. It's really cool because some classes have crazy transformations (sunwarrior for instance) and it's a real good boost in term of power.