Okis got a few screenys. Remember this is Alpha so things are still rough, graphics and animations need a lot of polish still.
http://i34.tinypic.com/2nbrd6q.jpgChar creation, while not as indepth as AoC was is still got a lot of scope. with numerous faces, hair styles, body and face piercings, body and face tatts, face paint, makeup. All customisable.
Wieerd how you start (the intro isnt in yet, they hoping to add at end of month) you pick a town to start, die and rez there O.o. I picked a place called Boneclaw.
http://i33.tinypic.com/kz3tg.jpgAlready done some crafting there for new armor. isnt clipping on the feet, its meant to be that way pretty wrecked clothing as you craft it from scavenging in trash:P Or at least low skill crafted items.
Only first zone is in game atm. But its HUGE!
http://i35.tinypic.com/288396h.jpgCheck the map in top left corner, bottom middle of map there entry crossroads and to left is Boneclaw. Took me nearly 30 minutes to wlk between them. There are mounts in game to ease travel. But mounts are done different from every other MMO. They need maintenance. Horses, which are in, need to cared for if damage (vet packs) and kept fed, horses are pretty slow. Vehicles arent really in yet afaik. But they will require to be crafted, repaired if damaged and kept fueled.
Kinda makes transport more realistic. But, they adding Bus stops to help quick travel as well.
http://i33.tinypic.com/350m1bn.jpg (list of crafting proffessions)
Crafting is based around scavenging. Either from looted or self made items, or from nodes around the world. Which may be car wrecks, piles of metal, tech. or even bags of trash.
Combat is FPS style. Put ya target over a mob, if its over you hit, if not, you miss. You can learn special attacks tho from merchant sold skill books, or learn from a player whos skilled up the teaching proff and has the skill. (Kinda like SWG).
But, its not pure FPS. there is a background roll as well. Its about 90% FPS, 10% random/stat based.
The world is faction based, multiple factions. Tech types, scavengers, comabt, preachers, traders. They not added yet tho. Your guild can choose to join a faction,. or not.
By all accounts there no real level cap, just a soft cap with content.
Also, an important part, there is no classes. You put gained advancement points into the stats/skills you want to develop your style of play.
Will post more as I explore further, but its showing HUGE promise as a step back towards the sandbox system that SWG used to be.