The graphics is what caught my attention back in Feb 2004. Been playing it since then.
Here is a screenshot of the Ivory Tower one of my favourite as far as artwork goes and well worthy of looking the part of a tower of arcane knowledge.

Here's one of the Colliseum outside of the Capital of Aden who's towers you can just make out in the background.

Here's a screeen of Lilith, one of the two raid bosses spawned as a result of player actions in the War of the Seal. In this case the Lords of Dawn prevailed and Lilith has re-entered the World of Aden to bar the way to the secrets of the Seal of Shillien.

Overall the ambience and the lore of L2 is quite good and is one of the reasons for doing quests. Whilst the quests themselves are not as rewarding as you would expect they are quite immersive into the lore of L2.
Regards,
Ellyrion Fiallathandriel
The Reckless Knight
Lunatris
Kain