low playerbase is not true for normal server, it has a healthy battleground-pop, auctions, a worldchat with ppl sending messages all around the time and so on
only the new free server "equilibrium" and the p2p have a low playerbase (everytime i log in there, capital cities have only 3 or 4 players around, battleground does not start and so on, players on the forum write similar experiences)
if you are unhappy with the existence of an itemshop keep in mind you can farm gold and exchange it for BC so even a free player can reach items from the shop over time, i did this myself
furthermore, in every progressive game you can "buy" progress, in the "worst case" you buy someone others account (which is ofc agains terms of service theoretically, but practically in the end noone can know) - here the money at least goes to the game itself instead of 3rd parties
also: if you have all the items from itemshop but no proper gear (and you can only get this by clearing endgame PVE content), the players without itemshop-goodies will still defeat you with ease... so dont overestimate the itemshop
game looks like a wow-clone at first but its more than a clone, has unique story, mechanics lore and so on...
anyway, on free server you get "instant level 75" item at the moment so only 5 more levels to max and on paymentserver you get 7 free days playtime (?) after creating your account if i remember correctly, so plenty of options to test and make sure you enjoy the game