Runescape and Albion Online actually have similar leveling systems
I called Archeage a WoW clone because of the dreaded level/class system I hate so much. I liked Runescape because there was no going from zone to zone to level-up, and as you hit level 30 a 20-29 zone is a place you'll never visit again. In Runescape I found most of the world to be useful in some way at all levels. There is no artificial separation in the world between low level and high level players. Even a level 100 player still likely visits Lumbridge from to time, if only to access the bank.
I enjoy MMOs without class separation more as well, though these are very are. I like having a single character rather than a bunch.
Runescape felt like a world, WoW doesn't. No other MMO did, maybe except Tibia, which my friends were obsessed with and I only played a little bit of (full-loot pvp-everywhere, but no crafting ruined it for me).
I don't mind wasting time, I think, I started in Runescape from scratch once just to play with a friend of mine who lost his account (downgrade from combat level 85). Plus I will learn the game and meet people to play with (hopefully) which means I'll be much more competitive during release. Guild wars is something I am really looking forward to. Only MMO I played which had this feature was Lineage 2 with its castle sieges.
Only concerns? That there are not enough active players in the beta. Some people claim the game is dead now.
Runescape and Albion Online actually have similar leveling systems. Albion Online is similar to Runescape in the ways you seem to like Runescape. You can do whatever you want in Albion Online. I actually am a former Runescape player myself and i moved over to Albion Online because of how much it was alike, but better than, Runescape.
As for pop, we are still in a beta and the servers are indeed slowing down. But its by no means dead. My advice is to get in now and learn the game before next wipe.
I agree that 30 $ is a fair price tag, my friends do not, but I always thought they have a weird idea of game pricing. They cling to F2P games and spend money on microtransactions. I think that's foolish, I'd much rather just pay once and enjoy the game. I know there's a premium account option, but it doesn't look P2W or pay-to-enjoy-the-game to me.
Are there enough players active for guild vs guild to happen?
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Aug
Albion Online Feedback and Thoughts
I get the feeling Albion Online is not the game I was sold it to be. It may once have been, or at least the idea to be a GvG/PvP game, but along the way two realizations must have hit

Jun
Albion PvE focused Guilds may be forced in to GvGs in order to control some territory
More Guilds would force more combat between more players as a whole across the whole game.

May
Albion Questions & Answer - Thinking about joining
The game is not packed with new players, however, they are there in numbers enough to give ample opportunity to find friends your level to play with as you grow.

Jan
Changes that would improve Albion Online play imo
scale up the monsters baised on zone. redzones should be t6 monsters and black zones should be t7. also there should be an alter where the boss spawns that has a 1-2 minute channel.

Aug
A tad bit of overkill on the albion gatherers
Also the new system discourages guild gathering events badly unless you are going for red/black zone runs.

Aug
First timer feedback on first impressions of Albion Online final beta
I set the stage, not because I expect Albion Online to fulfill that fantasy, but to give some background on my feedback.