(i beat ARR before patch 5.3 slightly streamlined it and made it slightly easier, and even more patches smoothed a bunch of stuff out -- so i'll be talking from my experience then)
everyone i knew called a realm reborn a total slog but i don't think i ever felt that way playing it -- at least the 2.0 game. the story and worldbuilding was engaging, the characters and voice acting was dorky and fun, and the slow and steady introduction to the game's systems made it very easy to get hooked -- and this is only the second MMO i ever played.
the game has an intense lull in pacing at points, but i really really enjoyed a realm reborn.
everyone i knew called a realm reborn a total slog but i don't think i ever felt that way playing it -- at least the 2.0 game. the story and worldbuilding was engaging, the characters and voice acting was dorky and fun, and the slow and steady introduction to the game's systems made it very easy to get hooked -- and this is only the second MMO i ever played.
the game has an intense lull in pacing at points, but i really really enjoyed a realm reborn.