The thing is, Everquest has always been for the more hardcore "roleplayer"
This game really lets you become your character, there's alot more to it than.. whack, whack, dead... click, whack, whack, dead...
As for the true MMORPG.. I don't consider role playing to be hitting mob, after mob, after mob.
PvP is being brought in with the Desert of Flames expansion coming in September, which should be great fun
With the introduction of the EU servers now, finding a group on there isn't difficult.
Since my brother plays we're a pre-made group and an awesome one at that, so i've never really had the solo problem.