There is almost nothing that will transfer forward when you make the switch between EQOA and EQ2.
First of all it's 500 years later in game time, some bad guys blew up the moon causing an age of darkness and upheaval and the two major cities (Qeynos & Freeport) are now opposed as good and evil.
The maps are all different since the loss of Luclin caused major changes in the surface layout of Norrath.
As far as game play, EQ2 is a porsche compared to EQOA's volkswagen!
Don't know what "bad comments" you've heard (probably from some drooling WoW player) but it is easily one of the best if not the best MMORPG on the market today.
Available play options are limitless and the game is unbelievably immersive.