Glass 1/2 empty, hmm? Telling people not to waste their money will definitely cause even lower populations, imo.
However, if you are an EQ fan and merely want to see the world again in it's former glory, this is the place. No PoP+ here, at least not yet. Plus, you can setup your own local server and seek revenge on all those sarnaks, goblins, and orcs that did you in relentlessly at your lower levels.
Plenty of positive things about this game still, if you choose to find them.