I played EQ1 for several years, and when EQ2 came out and I saw the graphics, I never looked back.
If you look at the two games strictly from a graphics view, they are like night and day. EQ1 has graphics that are many years old. The textures are not actually textures, but graphic images stretched out and laid flat. The terrain is shaped like a polygon with a few sides and sharp angles.
When you increase the textures in EQ2, you can actually see more bumps, lines, and shadows on the terrain. You also will see more detail on the armor down to the chain link and the waving cloth.
Combat in EQ1 looks like manequins trying to fight. They bend at the waist, stifly swing a weapon which doesn't seem to touch the opponent, then go back to standing erect.
Combat in EQ2 starts with the character getting a scowl on their face, drawing a weapon, and moving to a combat stance. You can watch them actually balance on their feet as they position for an attack.
The attack swing winds up as if the weapon has actual weight, swings with a large swoosh arc, and makes contact with a visual and audible effect. The mob that is hit will fall to it's knees, get knocked backwards, or shake and shudder from the impact.
If you've ever watched a EQ2 Monk fight...I get goose-bumps.
There are many different attack moves for different classes. Different spells also have many different gestures and movements.
Spells will have dazzling effects not only from you but from your party and the opponent.
People in EQ1 that say EQ2 is bad are most likely (1) afraid to loose the EQ1 population so spread bad press, (2) EQ1 fanbois that have never tried the game past the Trial of the Isle - if at all, (3) played at launch with all the bugs and left, never to return after all the updates, patches, and fixes.
It's important to remember that although the games share the same lore history, they are two completely different games with different rules, mechanics, and play. Try
this then tell us what you think.