LotRO also follows some of AC's standards as well. I think we're at the point where story is finally being injected more regularly into MMORPGs and it's not something Bioware can rely on as a crutch. At the same time, you'll notice that Bioware always says "most MMORPGs" when they talk about this. Most MMORPGs do lack these things still.

As for the lightsaber, welcome to every Star Wars game ever made. I don't know why it should have special significance for this title.