Guild Wars

[MD!]

I'm rather conflicted over whether to buy Guild Wars. (Currently $15 for the Trilogy and $10 for Eye of the North.)

On the one hand:
-it looks beautiful
-no subscription fees
-I've heard the mechanics are relatively strategic and interesting
-minimal grind

on the other hand:
-it's an MMO, and as a rule I find MMOs extremely tedious
-no jumping
-probably a lack of fellow newbies to group with etc.
-even at sale prices, I really shouldn't be spending money on games right now

Basically, what I'm looking for is a wonderful world to explore. Repetitive combat bores me, and I tend to prefer as much directness and freedom in the controls and physics as possible, which is why the lack of jumping is a worry. I played the trial a while ago and was still not sure. The world looked very nice but it wasn't clear how much actual exploring would be possible, and I didn't get to do anything mechanically interesting, but it was very early days.

Any advice?