Tabula Rasa has one big thing going for it, and that "one big thing"goes by the name Richard Garriott... yep, the same Richard Garriott responsible for the phenomenon known as Ultima. So before all the haters scream that it's just something uncreative made to drain money from those with fond memories of UO, read on and see what we have here. Here are a few gameplay details (and clips) that the nice folks from Gamespot were able to gather from E3.
This game by Destination Games is nice a blend of shooter action and role-playing. You can switch from third to first-person views, and for those who aren't really that adept at "twitch" gaming (or just don't have to proper reflexes), the game has an auto-aim feature. The game also factors in role-playing (we assume that they mean increasing levels) calculations in combat. If you put the cross-hair over a target and fire, you'll pretty much get a guaranteed hit, but the game will calculate the damage you do.
Here's a clip we found floating around YouTube.
Read the full article to get more info on gameplay, some more clips, and a few vids for you guys to download.
Download [Gamespot Tabula Rasa Interview]
Pre-Order: [Tabula Rasa]
Tabula Rasa has one big thing going for it, and that "one big thing"goes by the name Richard Garriott... yep, the same Richard Garriott responsible for the phenomenon known as Ultima. So before all the haters scream that it's just something uncreative made to drain money from those with fond memories of UO, read on and see what we have here. Here are a few gameplay details (and clips) that the nice folks from Gamespot were able to gather from E3.
This game by Destination Games is nice a blend of shooter action and role-playing. You can switch from third to first-person views, and for those who aren't really that adept at "twitch" gaming (or just don't have to proper reflexes), the game has an auto-aim feature. The game also factors in role-playing (we assume that they mean increasing levels) calculations in combat. If you put the cross-hair over a target and fire, you'll pretty much get a guaranteed hit, but the game will calculate the damage you do.
Here's a clip we found floating around YouTube.
For those anal when it comes to their min/maxing and armor/weapon set-ups, there's a whole bevy of weapon types for them to mix and match. There are energy weapons, incendiary weapons, poison-based weaponsÂ… you get the idea. The RPG convention that certain enemies are vulnerable to certain types of damage is alive and kicking in this game. And in combination with the shooter aspect of the game, it generates interesting tactical situations in combat.
Instead of character creation at the beginning of gameplay, development unfolds as you progress through the game. This is the "n00b" friendly aspect of this game. Unlike in other MMOs, this doesn't require newbie players to make gameplay-affecting decisions about their character so early in the game. In Tabula Rasa everyone starts out as a recruit. They have to then work their way to level 10 before they choose a class or specialty; hopefully by then the players know what a certain specialization will be asked of them before they get into a class.
The game features a mix of instanced missions and areas created just for you and your group of up to six players. There are also shared open worlds where everyone can interact. All these mean that there's plenty for people on both sides of the "instanced maps" debate.
An incentive to take on instanced missions (places with less people in it) is that the missions aren't so straight forward. Most of these instanced missions have branching side missions and goals that when accomplished make the main goal easier. For example, heading to area A first will unlock landing zones or call in reinforcements, so that the uphill attack on area B will be easier. Stuff like that.
Oh and if you're worried about how you're going to execute your well planned strike in an MMO setting, the game has fully integrated voice chat, so no more need for obnoxious MMO shorthand.
One of the playable areas on the E3 show floor is a huge sci-fi warzone, that's very reminiscent of Starship Troopers. There were a good variety of enemies in the sequence that ranged from bug-like things bursting from the ground to gigantic mechs that do their best to thwart your progress.
Here are a few more clips of the game. The first is another one in YouTube, and the second one is a "Raid" Trailer from GameVideos.
As for the Beta that they had a contest for, here's what the games official site has to say as of September 5, 2006: "Beta has NOT begun yet for Tabula Rasa. We do not have an official beta date released at this time, but when we do it will be announced here." Well, here's to waiting. The game is shaping up to be an MMORPG that can offer quick, sweet, action-packed experiences that is in sharp contrast to other time-consuming, farm intensive MMOs out there.
Download [Gamespot Tabula Rasa Interview]
Pre-Order: [Tabula Rasa]