I can say, truthfully, that compared to WoW, yes this game is hard. I tried WoW (granted, it was after playing EQ2 for 2.5 years, but I still gave it a fair shot), and while alot of the lowbie quests for EQ2 are not anywhere near as complicated as the higher level ones, I still found them more enjoyable and more difficult compared to WoW's lowbie quests.
Granted I might be a little biased towards EQ2, but I still tried WoW, and went in to the trial with every intention of giving it a fair go. overall, it was just too simple and was not able to hold my interest as well as EQ2 has. Now the higher levels in WoW might be more challenging, but unless the game is able to hook me from the start, I won't make it to the higher levels.
Ok, a slight tangent. time to get back on course. if you looking for a game where you can coast through without thinking too heavily, well, EQ2 is not for you. but if you like a decent challenge (not incredibly hard, but not infant care either), then EQ2 is the place. there are so many new players each day, and with the things that EQ2 has going on this summer, we are bound to have many more new players as well as some returning players (who very well might be rolling new, low level characters). so, 1)there is plenty of solo and group challenges depending on your preference of game play, and 2)there are new players constantly coming to EQ2, so always new people to meet and have fun with and group with, etc.