Tabula Rasa E3 Previews
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Tabula opts for a class-based system, versus standard leveling-up and level grinding. You start the game as a Recruit, and don't make a decision on your player class until you reach level 10. NCsoft believes this will allow players to make an informed decision when the time comes (unlike conventional MMOs, where you pick your class right away and can lead to a "dead character" you never play after awhile). The first nine experience levels give you the chance to see what each player class does. Once you reach 10th level, you can make a decision based on what you have seen and your personal preferences.
The second is at GameSpot:
One of the areas that's playable on the E3 show floor is basically a gigantic science fiction WWII-style warzone, complete with trenches and everything, dropships sending in reinforcements, huge buglike creatures suddenly bursting out of the ground, and more. Fond memories of Starship Troopers quickly came to mind as we fought our way through this area, alongside computer-controlled comrades, only to meet our demise at the "hands" of a gigantic enemy mech. A variety of great-looking enemies was present in this sequence, suggestive of the game's distinct sci-fi setting. Switching weapons was a simple process, and we can imagine that the battle might have been considerably more complex in a group setting. Still, it felt like a solidly action-packed experience; online RPGs are typically laborious and time-consuming, so it was refreshing to get a quick fix of action like this from Tabula Rasa. Richard Garriott always intended for it to be the sort of game that people could play for short bursts at a time if they wanted to.
The third is at ActionTrip:
The story of the game seems to revolve around a huge conflict, with the last vestiges of Humanity and a handful of alien races squaring off against a Borg-like enemy. Your quests will likely involve helping the war effort, delivering information, escorting VIPs, and blowing the enemy straight to hell, as they rightfully deserve. Like many other MMORPGs, the story should probably be almost completely ignored, and serves more as a vehicle to rationalize gameplay events rather than provide an engrossing plot for players to take part in. Of course, I only played a few minutes of the game, and didn't start from the beginning, but if my experience with other MMORPGs holds true, this is not anything new. After all, does any casual World of Warcraft player like myself actually have any idea what in the hell is going on in the game world?
The fourth is at Ten Ton Hammer:
The tour suddenly sped up and I was instructed to rush along accepting quests and following an (NCsoft AMELIA) healer class into various perils in this odd world. Is this what it's like to be a low ranking subordinate in the military? As I follow along with the orders, I barely get the chance to read over all the quests, but it seems like I'm doing things that amount to minor errands. At least I get an impressive arsenal of a rocket launcher, RPG, chain gun, flamethrower, and a melee defense stick. And I get highly destructive special skills too such as a long range lighting strike and a point blank area of effect explosion with a long wind-up time. The enemies were easy and dispatched with no trouble. It felt like I was just steamrolling over inferior enemies. I understand that it's a tour of sorts, but there needs to be more sense of danger or challenge. That's where the entertainment and excitement is! Surprisingly, the twitch factor was very low as the targeting system was homing/lock-on of sorts; it had a sticky feel to it when mousing over enemies. But, I did not get to experience any challenges! Where was the excitement, or surprise?
And the fifth is at Gamers With Jobs:
The most striking thing about Tabula Rasa is probably its art design. It's looking very atmospheric and intense, with all kinds of interesting and impressive enemies. In the instanced level I saw, the character and numerous NPCs were fighting along a linear path, and enemies were continually being shuttled to the area via some very intimidating dropships. There was also a dramatic encounter with a large, tripod-like creature.
