It's a shame the original DF didn't take off. The game had some really interesting PvE elements that set it apart. For instance, I remember fighting devious packs of goblins who would fire off their bows and then run away when you chased after them. If you managed to kill the bastards before the next pack spawned in, you'd have to quickly run around and grab their gear by clicking and dragging their swords and bows and other items from their inventory to yours. The whole time you're keeping your head on a swivel for hostile players who killed for sport and might have heard the battle.
The game had its worts and was mired in time sinks, but was also one of the few MMO RPGs of the time that didn't copy what everyone else was doing.