Tabula Rasa

"Change is what we need. A fresh start. A clean slate."

From Richard Garriott, the long awaited Tabula Rasa is here. This game tears away from the classic fantasy setting, instead opting for a futuristic sci-fi setting, along with many new features:

-Although there is the basic archetypes of tank, damage-dealer, crowd control, etc, they tear away from the norm. A sniper isn't stuck using his fancy sniper rifle; he can whip out a chaingun and fill his target with bullets. You aren't limited to a certain type of gun; here, you get options.

-Everyone starts out the same. This means that you don't select your class at character creation: you choose it as you get to predetermined levels. Everyone starts a Recruit. At 5, you split to Soldier or Specialist. At 15, you split again, both getting access to the next two class. When you hit the final tier, those 4 split into 8, giving the game a great sense of diversity.

-There is a great FPS element to this game, but it isn't a true MMOFPS. First off, a technicality, its third person. Next off, there really isn't any locational damage. However, it does have the FPS sense as when you click, you shoot your gun. You have to keep your ammo supply up (you really don't have to worry about purchasing armor, as you get some of the best out of quest rewards). Your gun will overheat if you keep shooting without taking a break.

-Built in VOIP, meaning no need for Teamspeak or Ventrillo servers and memberships. You can speak to your groups through the game. They aren't the first to do this, but it is still very handy.

-The world is extremely lively. Enemies (for the most part) don't appear out of thin air. Bane (the main antagonists) are transported by dropships. Things jump out of trees, or burrow out of the ground. It's nice to see this instead of seeing them shimmer to reality.

-Skills are, believe it or not, not purchased at a skill vendor. You gain access to each power as you reach the class, but you can't useit until you find the correct Logos for it. For instance, everyone starts out with a basic lightning attack. However, you can't use this until you find the "Power" Logos. More advanced skills need more advanced Logos. You get a quest to find each Logos, each with a pretty reward. Logos are spread out around the wilderness: Some in caves, some just simply in a field, and some are in instances. In Layman's Terms, you don't use Logos, you use skills, which are powered by Logos.

-A cloning system. Say you reach level 5, and you want both a Soldier and a Specialist without starting a new character. Here, you get to clone your character, meaning you make a new one that starts at the level you achieved, with the same skills and attributes. However, he has neither money nor equipment; you have to supply him. Personally, I don't feel that cloning at level 5 is a good idea; at the next tier is a bit smarter. A lot of people will tell you not to make that mistake, so say you heard it here first. It isn't hard to get from 1 to 5, maybe just 20 minutes.

-Capture points. There are a few encampments that can change hand, from AFS (you) to Bane and back again. This is a very fun thing to do, and you are rewarded for kills you make while defending and attacking. On the downside, it's AI doing the attacking and defending.

So, that's a few interesting things in this game that you won't find in others (mostly). However, there is much more to say:

Combat: 9/10
This is a new system, and being new, they took risks. That isn't to say they failed: No. They put together a great system. You find your enemy (or he finds you), and aim at him, and click. You have to keep your target reticle on his hitbox, which does extend off perfect proportions, so you can run around and not worry about missing. You can keep 5 weapons (meaning not only guns, spy and guardian get swords and staffs, respectively) on your weapon tray, switching at any time, in case you run out of ammo, or need EMP damage to bring down a target's shields. However, doing only this is going to waste a world of ammo: you have your combat skills. Once you have the proper Logos for a skill, you put your skill on a tray, and fire it. Tier 2 gets a new skill, Tier 3 gets 3, and Tier 4 get 3 or 4. Also, (nearly) every tier gets a new gun. Although skills has been done before and will continue to be done, it is done in an interesting way through Logos.

AI: 8/10
Die in a fire? No. Drown in lakes? No. Jump off cliffs? No. The AI isn't going to do anything stupid by choice, but you do have the choice to throw them into various unhappy situations. I've been hit by a few decent ambushes, and when they're defending, I've seen some good formations. Obviously, this isn't a selling point, but it's fun to see some good coding.

Graphics: 8/10
I've seen a few better, I've seen a lot worse. I'm not going into comparisons lest I say something about a certain game with less-than-realistic graphics. Absolute top graphics don't have a huge difference between them, but on lower amounts, you can see a good difference. When you waste bullets, you may not see every bullet, but when shooting at enemies, you'll see them. As I said, there are better, but there are a lot worse.

Music/Sound Effects: 8/10
The ambience is great music, but not something to listen to for any more than 15 hours. Luckily, if you play a straight shot, you'll be out of most areas within that time. If you take breaks (and I hope you do), you won't be sick of the music. Sound effects are a great touch, and they did a wonderful job with them. Once in a while, the effects might skip if you are doing 5 things at once, but otherwise, no complaints.

Replayability: 8/10
I'll be honest: this is personal opinion. I can't go through the same thing multiple times, yet this game does inevitably have "Kill X, Gather Y, and Give to Z". Honestly though, what game doesn't? I've been through a few quests that have different outcomes, and those are always interesting. Also, with clones, I've had a hard time doing things twice.

PvP: X/10
PvE here. I haven't seen PvP yet, they'll be implementing clan wars in Operation 1 (meaning patch 1).

Story: 8/10
There isn't really an absolute storyline, but you do have story arcs: quests linked together with a goal in the end. This isn't new in an MMO. There is a storyline, though, of survival and taking back what's yours.

This game has been in production for a good amount of time, and the end result was a great game. It is fun to play, but if you aren't quite certain whether you want it or not, go to a friend who has it, or to a message board, and ask for a referral. You'll get a three day trial.

I'll see you in game!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/20/07

Game Release: Tabula Rasa (US, 10/30/07)