Compared to FFXI......
Gameplay:
Everyone can solo.
Stuff actually weighs something.
Money comes in varieties, each is equal to 100 of the one below it. [1pp = 100 gp, 1 gp = 100 sp, 1sp = 100cp, plat, gold, silver and copper in that order]
HOs, aka skillchains aren't quite de riguer yet as it is in FFXI so if a group regularly uses them, think 'JPN'! At least they won't be JP onry. [If you miss JP, there are JP servers, hosted by SE!]
Also for skillchains, the end result is a bit random and therefore the skill/spell needed to advance the chain can be different. The right skill/spell is based on the 4 archtypes so while it's a lot easier to get a HO running it can be tough if your group does not have all 4 archtypes.
There are only two cities. Within each, there are 5 factions but you can raise faction with all 5 simultaneously or just one or two, a lot quicker.
Each character can only belong to one city, period and you get one chance to change this 'alignment' before level 18.
You may only hold one linkshell. 'Linkshell membership' or 'guild membership' allows you new quests and the ability to buy items too. Think about that flag you could get at Rank 9. In EQ2, Guild Level 30 is FFXI's Rank 9 [for now]. Some quests gives you status points which are used to buy items [which cost both status and gil], basically rank points.
There are no rank missions and as of last week, no access quests neither. Go anywhere, anytime at almost any level.
You can put up to 8 x 24 slots [item or stacks of items] in Auction. No time limit and no upfront fees but the buyer has to pay 20% -> 40% 'tax' or travel to your actual room and hope you're in and buy it directly. [Your mailbox is also a lot larger than 8 slots but each character can only mail eq and gil to another character of the same city] There are also no AH, just go to a NPC broker or buy yourself a bulletin board [64 copper] to hand in your inn room [free].
Crafting involves not just putting the ingredients together but also doing it at a specific location [workbench] and then using crafting-specific skills/abilities to counter events. There are 4 possible grades of product and the best is at least a thousand times easier to produce then +2 stuff in FFXI. Aside from that, you'll have to choose a crafting class too as you level and a more advanced class which limits your advancement to specific skills. You cannot get 99 in everything here.
Jobs & Races
Priests classes = whm/blm
Scouts = Thf/war
Mages = blm/^^
Fighters = nin, pld & drg
Race doesn't matter as much. Especially at the higher levels so just pick the most kawaii race you can. (sorry) (no) (manthra) (subligar) (please, thank you)
There is no RSE but you get to pick special skills [must be activated], traits [on all the time] at certain levels and also mob-specific DD spells.
Hope this helps.
PS Go to Antonia Bayle or Lucan d'Lere servers. They tend to be more populated. At this point in the game, overcrowding is not a problem SOE has to worry about.