EQ was fun as well, but transitioned MMORPGs into "No matter what you must do combat to progress and level up your character" which is fine for that cohort, but really hampered RP, amped up the grind, and afaik, never let you build structures or boats. The crafting side of UO was well done, and you could just hang out as a townie if you wanted to, getting rich off selling arms
Discussion
That's essentially what one of my boxes were for. I had a High Elf selling in the bazzar all the time