Before I started playing FF14 I want to say it was Wizadry Online and Shin Megami Tensei Online. I recall both very highly, the fact they are both shut down, I guess due to poor numbers. I'd say they were both hardcore mmorpgs in a way, skill over button mashing. Granted I also started in the closed beta of ARR so to far for me to really remember. I know I did end up buying and playing FF11 for about a month with my brother but at that time I think it was also a ghost town in the beginning areas and he eventually quit and I got bored from playing solo.