Sorry to hear you've stopped Xan, we all wondered what had happened to you. But I understand if you don't think it's the game for you in the long run, not worth sticking it out.
I think I approach from a different angle to yourself and Sax, for me it's about the journey not the endgame. I enjoy levelling, exploring the landscape, getting into scrapes, pushing the PVE content as much as I can and generally sticking my nose into all the nooks and crannys. The PVE content does get more challenging as you progress and that ezmode feeling Sax mentions will definitely change.
It sounds like there is quite a lot of endgame content already in place, so I think this is a positive sign. So many games don't launch with any semblance of endgame content (Warhammer, Aion, AoC. LOTRO to name just a few) so I think it's a good sign if there's already stuff to do. There's a major patch and world event coming in the next few days, that will be an indicator of what we can expect.
I understand the WoW clone thing when it comes to the mechanics of some of the classes (combo points for rogues is the obvious one), but in many cases it differs. Warriors have no rage mechanic (thankfully) and use a chargeup and energy system for abilities which is more Warhammer. Mages use a combination of mana and charge, which makes them different to WoW mages, but again maybe there's some similarities with mages in Warhammer. Healing clerics do seem similar to Holy Priests in WoW, but the melee clerics are closer to Disciples of Khaine in Warhammer.
I think the thing is, they've borrowed from all over not just WoW. And WoW in turn has never been shy of borrowing from other games and genres. I find the PVE in Rift pretty engaging. I don't think the PvP will hold my attention, I'm no fan of instanced PvP. However, they've suggested that adding RvR is on the table.
I think the whole MMO genre does need something new and someone willing to break free of the choking influence WoW has on MMO design. SWTOR might offer it with its storytelling. Guild Wars 2 might offer it with its dynamic world content (taking the rifts and invasions style of things one step further). But will anyone offer something new for PvP? If only someone could make a DAOC 2, although probably better if it isn't Mythic!