I do feel when it takes longer to get something it's more rewarding like how FFXI was but let's be honest here, it was never a challenge. It just challenges your patience.
I have to say you are wrong here.

NM hunting had you competing with other characters. And no, everything wasn't camped by RMT or with bots. Not only that, most RMT where useless at claiming.

XP party. i was a ranger, so I had to know when or if to pull depending on party information. Not to link it with other mobs and so on.

I even went around and tried to solo a lot of high level NMs. And I have to say that my fight against Cassie was more challenging then Titan here.

I could go on with things, but think that is enough of examples.

In this game, the hardest thing is getting competent players.