[Alinys]

You have to accept that this game isn't an oridinary MMO. It's not as easy to pick up as perhaps WoW is, but I find it ten times more rewarding. I only started on 1st January this year, and I haven't had half the problems you have. I have yet to play a game where there was a newbie/tutorial zone, particularly if it was a multiplayer game.

Soloing as a mage is difficult, but RDM should be less so. Resting is something you need to incorporate into your schedule a lot when you're alone, but it'll get easier if you hit level 3 and can cast Cure on yourself. Did you use Dia on your mobs as well? This will help a lot at early levels as it lowers DEF and adds a small amount of DoT.

Also, yes, you do have to talk to a lot of NPCs as I gather, but the quests aren't as big as they might be in other games, as they don't give EXP, only item or gil rewards. For this matter you don't need to focus on them as much.

Try partying with people. I started my first character as a WAR and was forced to solo. It got a bit lonely and boring. I restarted a WAR with my boyfriend and found it hugely entertaining, and by level 18 we were partying with a mutual friend of ours and having a lot of fun.