When I want to play a game with near-perfect balance and storyline I play Gothic, singleplayer.
For killing stuff.. UT?
For atmosphere... The Thief trilogy and deus ex I (II sux in that respect).
And if I want to play with friends and community.. PlaneShift

EverQuest II looked quite promising when I played the trial, but then I didn't want to pay for it.
SilkRoadOnline is too PvP focused, imo, although nice graphics and concepts.