Potentially time consuming game for old time RPG'er

I am truly thinking of getting into this game. First question, I've heard there iss not much room in GW for solo players? Is this true or am I destined to travel within party limits?....

You can solo if you like. The ability to bring along henchmen allows you to be self sufficient. Some missions will be tough but if you keep at it you can solo through most missions. The ones you can I am sure you will be able to find some friends to help you along.

I've soloed through most of it already (most of what I've completed, not the game. I think I'm still far from the end) and only done a few missions with others.

Henchmen are a good option, but often they are much too low a level to be of any real use. You can solo through the start of the game fine, but adter that you'll probably have to form a party for at least some of the missions.
I imagine that if you were very careful in your choice of professions and skills then you might be able to make a character that is fairly self sufficient, but I'd expect it would take you a lot longer to get through large groups of enemies than if you had a good party.

I breezed through the

** POSSIBLE SPOILER **

Northlands with Prince Rurik and some henchies while saving the captives of the Charr and breaking into the city.

** END GO BACK YOUR SCHEDUAL **

thanks for the insight..I think I am convinced if not just to try this game the investment will be well spent.