I do agree that free to play with cosmetics is generally the way to run these games, though it is a shame that nowadays a lot of the best cosmetics aren't free and are instead stuck behind a pay wall.
I do have a soft spot for Eve Onlines plex system where you can buy it with in game money if youbare heavily focused on the game though.
It sounds like you are generally into single player rpg's more than mmo's which I can totally understand.
I recently picked up Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon though haven't spent much time on it yet, you might like that one.