I played briefly at release too; but at the time it wasn't different 'enough' from WoW for me to pay for another sub (and I was still quite enjoying WoW) so I didn't join up then. I really jumped back in (myself) years later, after they overhauled the payment plan and how overland leveling worked (when they made it 'One Tameriel'). I don't remember what my experience was at launch outside of that. (no memory of how hard or easy leveling was, I think I was there for maybe one month)
And yea - for sure - you won't have that issue with NB anymore
. I started with NB then myself and have only played that class/character ever since. I certainly didn't build towards anything at all specific (other than wanting to get every weapon skill built up - lol) and had no issues leveling through the game and even soloing mid to lower-level (standard) dungeons (if slowly lol) before hitting max level+ on my NB.
I know there are more 'hard core' players who do want even a solo-questing experience that is more 'at level' - and I get that. Even I, someone who enjoys 'god mode' in single player games, can get 'bored' mowing through overland mobs now with my NB at max level +800points (Or I did a year or so ago when I was last subbed and playing) -- but I'll take that overpowered feeling every day of the week over a game where I have to pick between forced-group content to do anything or dailies!
It SEEMS like ESO "gets that" about their game, knows that about their game, and likes that about their game - and aren't trying to make every aspect of their game 'fit for everyone's tastes.' It isn't a game for everyone - for that reason and others as well - and that's fine. No game is. But for some of us - its 'almost exactly' what we're wanting in that 'questing' experience.