"This isn't Warcraft in space!" - Terran Marine, Starcraft.

Before delving into the discussion, you should know a few things about the angle from which I am examining this issue.

First of all, Bioware's signature awesome stroryline and conversation trees which affect quests are great and obvious improvements, to which the generic MMO elements seem as distractions but without which it would just be a KOTOR 3. This article examines the issue quite well

Second, I have not played WOW and I have been having this discussion with a long term WOW player, who has not yet played TOR (or even seen it but I'll show it to him). This is why I am now seeking the viewpoints from people who have played both games.

I'd like to focus this discussion on the gameplay mechanics. It seems that every time I describe a feature of TOR my friend responds with 'WOW has that but it's called XYZ'. We have agreed that this is actually quite good since WOW players could easily adapt to TOR. The question then is; are there specific mechanics or features, beyond the story and choice aspect which make TOR unique or is it just WOW in space. It must be said that Bioware would be foolish to make a full frontal attack and challenge all the MMORPG aspects established by the King of the Hill (considering that's now actually LOL, if users are the measure )

TL;DR: How is TOR different from WOW (besides story and choices)

P.S. This is the most nerd thing I have ever written and even if it turns out that TOR is just WOW in space, that's enough to make it better because Star Wars have lighsabers, and no sword will ever beat that .

WoW did have world bosses, but they weren't really worth mentioning.

I don't even try to compare this game to WoW. I played that monolithic MMO since the first day of release, and ToR is worlds apart from it. Customizable set pieces to suit your needs, a questing system that -isn't- boring as hell, fluent and well-paced animations, a crafting and gathering system that doesn't hamper your play time..

I wouldn't worry about UI mods just yet. Warhammer Online had a really good GUI that -you- could customize without outside downloads. But there'll be UI mods for this game yet, rest assured. (though to be fair what's in it now isn't at all that bad compared to others.)

I've heard they are adding mods and addons soon so we'll have more UI customization and WoW had a few world bosses back in vanilla and they sorta brought them back in cata but in BC and WoTLK I don't recall any world bosses.

I would call WoW a dying game cata destroyed it when they thought we wanted to pay $60 for the x-pack and run rehashed content again. Woot I ran deadmines again at 85 its hardly any different then when I ran it back in vanilla! whats this I'm killing Nefarian again? but I cut his head off and hung it on the entrance to SW does every WoW boss in lore just grow their head back? and don't get me started on the LK if they continue WoW for a few more X packs im sure you'll end up back in ICC stopping him again... for the what 4th time now...

The story is infinitely better and more interactive, and having consequences is great.

The equipment customization and mod system is amazing, and being able to remove them (albeit at a price) is handy.

The crafting being doable while you're questing in the world or AFK is yay.

I also like how you get to see where AoEs are being targeted during fights (especially boss fights) - I'm not sure WoW did that very well in WotLK, and I never played past that expansion.

It is also fairly easy to tell what the boss is doing that is killing everyone, IMO. And then you can adapt to work
around that.

I know addons would solve some of these issues, but that is a problem for me.

I hope Bioware never nerfs the need for CCs like WoW.

Oh ye, Space combat, cool minigame that.

CC actually lead to some nice fight strats and I find that they are needed more and more at 25+, especially in heroics. If only some people would stop breaking them.

It makes sense to look at WOW and iron out the problems for Bioware, I love how fetch quests and kill x quests are integrated in TOR, making it into a nice little challenge which you can skip so it never feels like a chore (and let's be honest, usually you end up killing way more mobs than you need for the bonus just on your way to the waypoint).
Did Cata do away with kill x quests? I've heard something along those lines.

Mods are also great since you can pick your gear based on looks rather than stats (the waist I have now is so damn ugly, preferred the look of the last one but it wasn't orange).

It would then seem that TOR has gone along the route of evolution rather than revolution, hopefully serving as a stepping stone for upcoming MMO's and perhaps other SP RPG's since those seem to be Bioware's speciality.

Also I am surprised how good TOR looks even at the lowest settings, WOW's graphics, while ageing well are starting to get on a bit.

However, many things need improvements, but since the game is not even a month old it still has time to make amends, with tele-to-group and speech bubbles being quite crucial.

I find the UI quite good as it stands but I can't wait for some cool mods, since modding is the bread and butter of PC gaming (it is great to be back here, even if it's just for one game)