Tabula Rasa Review

Flash Review: Tabula Rasa is a fresh step for the MMO genre. From its real time combat to the unique setting Tabula Rasa takes you far from the traditional MMO experience but its one hell of a ride. 7/10.




Game Lore:
- Tabula Rasa uses the age old story of humanity struggling against a more powerful evil force, while this may have been used before in Tabula its used extremely well and immerses you into the game and the story. I wont go into the story but throughout the game its used very well. Story Verdict: 6/10.

Gameplay:
- Game play is mainly determined by the combat system within an mmorpg and how players can interact with the world and socially, and Tabula rasa has certainly shaken up this and created a new but somehow familiar experience overall. In tabula combat is done very dynamically with the main usage being of guns and powers (logo's), it uses the same damage system seen in other mmorpgs but adds a few things to spice it up.
Combat is very active and very much similar to an action game in function with the environment playing a key role in fighting, they have done this using a great cover system that allows objects to act as damage de-buffers and creates a far more strategic variables to the mix. Tabula also is a very dynamic game in every sense when playing it you feel like a war is actually raging with small and large battles all taking place around you, but still allows free movement.
You could be passing a bridge and see a few AFS soldiers trying to hold it, while an barrage of bane soldiers pummel them...and you feel connected to the soldiers that your part of this huge struggle and you can help them if you want (which will give you exp/loot/cash) but you will be risking your own life, so combat can be rewarding as well as quite dangerous. But Tabula also takes this to a new level with adding control points that are of extreme important to players in terms of supplies and quests, these bases are frequently under attack and can get overrun quite quickly, if everyone doesn't pull together and help the npc's....its adds a whole new level of game play and role playing to the game...mainly it seems realistic. You hear the alarms sounding and emergency lights flashing while solders rush to defend the gates from both the bane and natural predators ( yes the animals will also act dynamically running in packs to get their next meal be in a bane/nps/player or even other animals). These combined make an amazing a very social experience, people will help you and you will help them its as if the game has pulled the community together in a great way which i haven't seen in a long time in mmorpgs..if ever to this extent. Tabula also rewards you for helping out and defending bases with varies extra bonuses and points. Economically the game is quite flat since loot isn't really defined as well as it is in say hell gate London, but the addition of a soon to come auction house should revamp things. But i can honestly say this is best game play experience i have had in a long time with games. Gameplay Verdict 7.5/10.

Visuals/Graphics:
- Tabula Rasa does has good visuals but doesn't match up to the quality of lord of the rings online, but the are great in their own right and suit the setting of the game. They have a variety of interesting a exotic places from huge valleys to scifi military bases to explore, its a joy to watch and experience. Models and animations are great from the bane drop ships to how guns feel and look, but a bad point is the lack of variety in armor while they are realistic a bit more pimping wouldn't have hurt from a visual stand point. But overall they are nice to look at and for a mmorpg do just fine. Visuals Verdict: 7/10.

Sound:
- The sound quality of the game is top notch, the use of quality voice acting and sounds really do make a difference. You can hear machines ticking over, bane and AFS forces shouting and bantering while quest givers do provide so nice voice work. You will hear a variety of sounds from shotguns firing to majestic waterfalls that all sound great.
Sound Verdict: 7/10.

Overall:
- Overall Tabula Rasa is a game that will enter you in a fun and compelling world with alot of stuff to do and experience, I highly recommend it to any mmo/action/rpg fan!
Final Verdict: 7/10


Screenshots: