Speaking of Guild Wars, I recently reinstalled it and have taken it back up. I have gotten sucked right back into it. It's a tad different than most MMOs but there are no monthly fees so its worth knowing about it IMO. It is a very unique flavor though and not for everyone. But those who do like it, tend to really enjoy it.
First, max level is 20 and easy to get to. If you are like me, this is initially a turn off. But then personal taste comes in. Some people really like leveling up and can't give that up. Which is one way to look at it and valid IMO. But I think Guild Wars is more about an experience than about leveling up. And each campaign (expansion) is a new experience. I honestly think Darkfall is going to seem to pull more inspiration from Guild Wars than any other MMO. As they wont have levels at all. Its all skill based, which guild wars is only 1 step off from a system like that. (Simply because levels do exist in it.)
My gripe with Guild Wars is that you are only allowed 1 hotbar with 8 slots available. (You can only use up to 8 skills in combat) This is sort of like the game Magic:The Gathering in that 100,000+ cards exist but you must choose either 40 or 60 cards only for a deck. (I know the actual rules there but making a point here.
) So if you have experience playing magic, you sort of have to "choose your deck" before leaving town.
I feel this is too little to work with IMO. I think it would be much more interesting by simply adding 2 more slots to the hotbar. Or even better allow an alternate hotswap hotbar, so 2 hotbars.
But you only get 1 hotbar with 8 slots as is. The aspect that should not be forgotten is you can entirely change up your configuration at any time in a town or outpost. I currently have a level 9 Necromancer/Elementalist. I have 11 Death magic and like 3 or 4 Earth magic. When I hit level 10, I plan to go back to town and reset it all to 12 Air magic. At level 12-14 I may be switching to something else. I even have been thinking of swapping secondaries. I will always be a Nercomancer but I can change my secondary whenever I feel like it. I could swap over to Necromancer/Monk or Necromancer/Mesmer. This should always be remembered because your charactor levels are never fully invested. There is no reason to ever have to remake a charactor unless you want a different primary.
So, while 8 skill slots on 1 hotbar can be limiting in one aspect doesn't crush the game and probably isn't as limiting as it sounds or may seem. This whole idea here takes ALOT of pressure off of the player to level their charactor up "the right/wrong way".
Running on the PvE side isn't about getting levels but instead about enjoying the party you are in and the charactors you run. There is plenty of life in this game after max level, just remember (should you try it) that is what the game was built around. It was never intended to be a game about what level you are.
Guild Wars 2 is being worked on right now and level cap will be raised in it. They have even been discussing unlimited levels. But it is merely a "magic marker for progress". Because some players just like being level 1,038 even if it is really the same as lvl 54. Not much information has been spread concerning GW2 and most information seems to be leaked in the game world than actual press releases right now. Release so far is estimated at 2010 or 2011.
Your thread indirectly got me to load this game back up and I am enjoying it more now I think then I did when I last played. Figured I would throw some extra information out there since this MMO plays differently than most others out there. And it really depends on your taste. Judging from your initial post I have no idea if this is a good recommendation or not.
I am looking for 'the one' true game for me. 
