Score
Gameplay:	8
Graphics:	9
Sound:	7
FunFactor:	8
PlasmaFactor:	8
Overall:	8

Tabula Rasa Review
December 31, 1969

Richard Garriot’s Tabula Rasa aims to change the way Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games are played by introducing First Person Shooter (FPS) concepts into a dynamic science fiction environment. Even though the core of the game is like any other MMO, with missions, item gathering, and grinding experience, the fast-paced combat engages the player so that this process is much less monotonous and fairly addictive.

After being overrun by a massive alien force called the Bane, the people of Earth have resorted to traveling to planets in the far reaches of space by wormhole transports created by an ancient alien race called the “Eloh”. Your story begins as you step out of that wormhole as a new recruit to the Allied Free Sentients (AFS).

Gameplay

Like most other MMO games, Tabula Rasa begins with the creation of a player avatar. The character creation application is the standard fare – you are able to change your body size, gender, facial features, and starting clothing. What is a nice departure from some other MMO’s is that you can customize the colors with a lot of freedom with the use of a color wheel selection tool.

Unlike other MMO’s, Tabula Rasa requires that all players begin the game as the same “recruit” character class. As you progress through the game and gain experience (by killing enemies and completing missions) you are able to choose new “career paths” ranging from Medics, to stealthy Spies, to up-in-your-face-with-a-flamethrower Grenadiers.

The inclusion of the cloning system is a much needed change to the MMO genre. Instead of requiring players to restart from level one to try a new career choice, Tabula Rasa allows for a player to create a “clone” of themselves at each major career path milestone (levels 5, 15, and 30). For example, if you tried to be the tool-wielding, basic healer specialist career but decide that you yearn for more combat, simply load up your level 5 clone and try out the soldier career path.

The combat in Tabula Rasa is fast-paced and exciting. Players have the option of blasting away at their enemies with a wide variety of weapons, each with its own combination of damage types, ranges, and firing speeds. Another option is to use “logos abilities” (akin to spells in other MMO’s) to damage or cause a variety of effects to enemies. Instead of simply using an auto attack feature like many other games in the genre, Tabula Rasa requires the player to point and shoot at their targets to cause damage. Additionally, combat bonuses (like increased accuracy or reduced damage) can be gained by crouching or taking cover behind objects in the environment.

Another high point for Tabula Rasa is the addition of an experience multiplier based off of combat prowess. By either killing multiple enemies in a row or by executing special finishing blows, a player can gain up to 250% times the normal amount of experience for a kill.

With the exception of some specially designed instances that require squads of up to six players to complete, most of the quests and adversaries in Tabula Rasa are easily done alone. While this might tailor well to people who enjoy playing games on their own, it does not encourage group play in a title that is supposed to be massively multiplayer.

Graphics

The graphics in Tabula Rasa are impressive if you are sporting a top of the line gaming rig. Explosions come to life, armor and weapons gleam, and both character and enemy models are detailed. Even on lower detail settings (for those of us who have a bit older machines), the graphics are still up to par.

Unlike other MMO’s that have enemies standing around the environment waiting to be attacked, Tabula Rasa retains a feeling of a living planet. Enemy Bane forces get beamed into the battlefield via dropships, then roam the area in battle formations. AFS reinforcements drop in at critical locations. What adds even more to the dynamic feeling is that some enemies will battle against each other if they cross paths. If a warnet (small flying creatures) is provoked by a Bane soldier, for example, you can choose to sit back and watch the action, or engage your choice of target.

Sound

The sound in Tabula Rasa is a bit bland at times. Unless you enjoy hearing the same mediocre heavy metal soundtrack over and over while you battle and run around, you might find yourself muting the music in favor of some of your own. At times even some of the NPC sound effects can get repetitive. It is not hard to lose track of how many times an AFS soldier yells “We’ve got hostiles over here!” during combat.

Plasma Factor

Overall, Tabula Rasa will give you plenty of entertainment for the price. It is truly rewarding to blast your way through hundreds of enemies in one sitting. Even for the gamer who might not consider playing an MMO, the FPS elements and fun weapon play could make this game a good entry into the genre. For those who want to be part of a larger community, there are clans who will provide a consistent group to adventure with.

The ability to run around and shoot huge guns at aliens is great. Mastering the art of matching the correct damage types to the right target while constantly hiding behind the cover scattered throughout the environment makes this game shine beyond some other, more mainstream MMO’s.

Conclusion

If you are sick with the same old fantasy MMO setting and are looking for a game that is void of little dwarves dancing around a pub, Tabula Rasa may be the game for you. Its unique mix of fast-paced action, replayability (via the cloning system), and vivid environments make this game a strong addition to an MMO market. Unlike other games that strive to just copy the big-time blockbuster games, Tabula Rasa seeks to pave its own way in the MMO genre.

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Gameplay: 8.5 Graphics: 9 Sound: 6.5 Value:  8 PlasmaFactor: 8.5

By: Gabriel Goldman, Contributing Writer