Eligium, the new Frogster's game has an awesome pet system where you can feed it with items and it will grow up and evolve dpeneding on its feeding, for example if you feed it with healing potions the pet will earn a healing skill you can use in com…
I would go for Rift too, seems like a WoW with some new features that will keep you playing for a while at least, then you can just switch to a new mmorpg, but nowaways there are not many good mmog to choose from to be honest
I've been told that warhammer online has the best not-hardcore pvp, after that, you have darkfall and if you like sci-fi and spaceships then EVE is your choice.
I'd go for Aion, but not everybody likes the korean look and game style, if you like pretty graphics, fast and visual combat and a lot of grinding I would go for Aion, otherwise, WoW instead of Rift hehe.