I could write several essays about DragonRealms, having played it for more years than WoW's been in existence. DR's players might not necessarily be older than the MMO average (though its own average is certainly higher), but they're much more mature and, just as importantly, usually stay in the context of the game even when not roleplaying (which also happens more often). You probably aren't going to hear about the upcoming Packers-Cowboys game or the episode of House from last night, but instead about the best hunting ground for a ranger with 230 ranks in short bows.

That said, the mechanics of the game are still (to me) above and beyond any mainstream MMOG.

What made the game so great for me was the skill-based experience system, one I am still willing to pay copious amounts of money to see in any other game. Its flexibility allows nearly anyone to have a unique character. A thief can wield a halberd in combat, and a moon mage can wear plate mail while casting spells.

Secondarily on the skill system, it adds an in-game way of having down time. Each skill has a "bucket" of experience that you fill when training it, which then drains over time. You can fill all of your combat skills in the field and then return to town to train other things or just sit and chat while not really missing out on gaining experience.

PvP is an integrated part of the game, and is largely unrestricted (mechanics-wise, at least; you can be reported and banned if you just decide to go on a killing spree one day). You can attack someone in the middle of a city, but the town guards will immediately charge in to arrest you. A thief is allowed and even encouraged to steal from other players, but they have to face the consequences (getting jailed or a sword to the face) if they get caught.

This is due partially to the skill system and partially to the text-based medium, but there are multiple places to go and train at any one time. A relatively young player can go fight field goblins and musk hogs in one grassy area, wood trolls and wild boars in forest, or faenrae reavers and wind hounds in an abandoned mine. This is just in one of the five areas, and the other four have nearly as many.

There are so many other unique things about DragonRealms that I could go on about (the wound/death system and how clerics and empaths work together, the many creation systems, and so on) but I'll stop here.