There is a follow up review to the original in the latest PC Gamer. It shows that the current status of the game to "heating up" more than the other MMORPG's.
In fact DAoC is actually showing a 'cooling down' instead.
In the review, it mentions that two of their staff are 'hooked on' AO. It also says that 'AO stands up quite well.'
It seems that PC Gamer magazine really does like AO.