ESO does have some sense of community, but update #35 shattered it with damage nerfs. From what I hear, a lot of long-time raiding groups splintered or disbanded entirely, and since they're the ones who'd recruit and teach others, there's a gap now that isn't easily replaced. As for every landscape looking the same, I can't agree with that -- plenty of places have unique looks, from Vvardenfell to Summerset, Elsweyr to Blackwood, etc. Sure, some of those locations may not be everyone's cup of skooma -- Blackwood marshes get tiresome after awhile -- but they're there.
As for horse armor, it now comes free* when you upgrade your horse's stamina, speed, etc. At maximum, your steed (not limited to just horses, mind you) has cool armor, new reins, saddles, etc. The downside is, other than a few generic horses, everything else is sold to you through the MTX shop. The prices are pretty crappy, too -- they charged 5000 crowns for a generic two-seater horse recently. Hooray.
Take me down from the ridge where the summer ends
And watch the city spread out just like a jet's flame