Eureka... what were you expecting?

[Solarra]

Something along the lines of WoW's Timeless Isle/Argus model, not a carbon copy but something similar. A large open world land that had something for everyone, a large range of rewards and different ways to play and enjoy it. Easy mobs, elite mobs, rare mobs, Fates, dailies, rep, minions, mounts, treasures, gathering, crafting, invasions, proper story chain, that sort of thing.

^this!

Plus:
I expected I'd be able to play with my friends (including those who started late).
I definitely expected to be able to go in solo when I had some free time and feel I'd achieved something regardless of how long I spent.
I expected interesting potions and items unique to the island in hidden locations or just randomly spawning, so exploring was rewarded.
I expected story. Rowena and Gerolt have a lot of history that could be explored and Krile's story was one I was particularly looking forward to but there's nothing there.
I expected longevity.
I'm not sure how feasible it will be to get a SB relic after the expansion but it looks like it will be brutal at best, assuming the fate to get the feathers can be solo'd.
I expected a quest hub that would keep people occupied for months and give them reasons to come in even after the relic is no longer current.
I expected content that was fun to do in itself, not something I'd actively dislike but might consider pushing myself through for the rewards.


What I didn't expect:
Nothing to do besides grind and ride the Fate-Train.
FtP-type time-waste mechanics like the pitiful XP from mob kills and the hefty death penalty.
The horrible culling issues.
Mounts and Aetherytes as rewards for levelling.
Not only is it frustrating not being able to attune below level 9 but high level players not needing to pass through areas where the lowbies are levelling might make getting rezzed difficult in the future. I'd have preferred everyone to have mounts and Aetheryte access or no one (the island isn't that big). Note: This wouldn't be an issue if there was any reason to explore.

Since we are basically spamming our rotations without a break while we are in there, I would have hoped (I admit I didn't expect) for some change to our abilities to make it less punishing on the hands.
People who played XI talk about having time to socialise and chat while fighting; I think I would have enjoyed this content more if we had a combat system that allowed that.