[Awe for crying out loud I write another novel =( ... sigh]
I've yet to see anything bad about any of the two games being poked at here. I think you're misguided or just trying to express something you can't.
I'm a fan of both games for various reasons as they both do things exceptionally well compared to the other, though I'll dare say I think WoW does more... but the one thing WoW doesn't do is build a community where as Horizons really hits that nail on the head.
As for you changing the world of Horizons? How? Every event that has happened was planned to happen as it did and despite the fact you might have taken part in the event, it's end was already decided. Secondly you pointed out you can /change the world/ and it will have an effect... Are you speaking of the dryad and satyrs? They're about the only thing we effectively had to do that actually unlocked game content. Amusing, if you'd played WoW when it started you'd known that there was a whole playfield and dungeon or two that needed unlocking in Silithus that required an entire server to work on and complete. Not to mention when I think Naxrammus was around floating necropolis's launched attacks on the various home cities and dungeons changed with random new bosses to fight... Much like the Aegis attacks on our own towns at times.
WoW has world wide festivals, things to do quest to complete during these times that are fun and playful. Winter Festival, Summer Festival, that dark moon or what not festival the first week of every month. Ever play with the "Tonks?" or have your fortune told? My WoW guild would get together and make a party of these events and they were as much fun as some of the parties I had in HZ.
The amusing thing about this discussion is that ... Someone who just joined HZ now could make the same accusations about HZ as you make on WoW as far as world dynamics go, because they weren't around or bothered to participate in events prior.
As to the grind... Pick your poison. I play in both worlds for they both offer a different experience, and a different grind. If I want to fight I'll be in WoW as at least the system works well and with the right people it's very strategic. Pull me aside some time and I'll tell you some of the incredible encounters I've had with just my roomate against some bosses meant for three. If I want to scratch at nodes of ore for endless hours, I'll be in Horizons and don't think I'm being sarcastic... Lately you'll see me there doing just that and chatting away in channels, or tells.
As to the itemization bit, well... You don't think Horizons is itemized at all? People put together and min max their armor by hunting down components, where as those in WoW raid bosses or battle eachother to earn the points for their armor sets. In the end, it's all the same just with a different means to getting there.
In summary:
Both games are strong in different areas, but neither is terrible.
Oh, and there was a comment about roleplay... I've had times where I just roleplayed all night long in WoW, just like I did in HZ. Heh on many servers there are dedicated bars with players acting as maids or owners and even have opening and closing hours. To top it off, entire guilds are dedicated to RP so much as to gathering their groups and playing through instances in a story telling way.
Here's the key to any MMO and your experience with an MMO. The mechanics do play a part in some way, but not as much as who you run into and how you try and get yourself into the community and flow of the world. Ask most people in Horizons why they stay? It's usually, but not always, going to be because they enjoy the company.
I can appreciate why one would like one world over the other, but I can't appreciate those who would rip at one world over the other claiming their preferences and views are the only ones. THey both have their place, and honestly, when HZ was more popular the forums [Tazoon.com, yes I'm old] looked JUST AS BAD AS what the WoW forums looked like.