Tabula Rasa - beta journal
Apparently the closed beta NDA has been lowered a bit for press, and this blogger shares his early impressions.
No spectacular revelations for those who've been following this title, but it's interesting to hear somebody's take on this who's actually played it.
Gameplay seems to be tactical FPS, but stats-driven. This appeals to me, my ageing twitch reflexes will never be able to keep up with an overcaffeinated 15 year old, but I enjoy tactical gameplay a lot, and TR seems to cater to that.
Despite the fact that news about TR seem to be overshadowed by the WAR and AoC buzz, I am hopeful for TR, and really want this to succeed. A decent Sci Fi MMORPG would be a breath of fresh air among the increasingly cluttered Fantasy MMO WoW clones, and, well, it's Richard Garriot, and I will give anything he produces the benefit of doubt at the very least.
Update: Here's another preview on warcry.
This game is high on my anticipation list, I think/hope it'll be the perfect MMO game for me.
lineage in space
Gamer Tag: Rantyr
That read like a pretty bad review to me. He says it is not worth $14.99/month. I'd be interested to know if other testers agree with this. Hypothetically speaking of course.
XBL: nearly there
I agree with his points. I dont agree with his conclusion or suggestions for pricing. (pay by the hour? gimme a break)
Being fangoriously devoured by a gelatinous monster.
It's not worth 14.99/month. The ability to shoot in an MMO is a great thing. TR even makes it look FPS'ish. The ability to clone your character at different points makes the ability to roll up an alt that much easier is also a very cool concept that they've brought to the table. Beyond that they have the standard NCsoft skill tree that requires you to grind your way up to get to specific abilities. Once you're maxed out which could be a real quick trip compared to other MMO's then what? End of the day you will realize you've done this before but using a sword/bow.
Gamer Tag: Rantyr
I see that point a lot, but really, the same can be said of most every game out there. They're all variations on games that have come before them. Be it an mmo, or a fighting game, or an fps, or a sports title, or whatever; usually a game's only real claim to "newness" is some kind of twist or gimmick. In TR's case, it's to combine mmo gameplay with fps gameplay in this fashion.
I see your point, but it's more a point directable at the entire gaming industry/hobby, not just mmo's.
It is really tactical. Cover works (well!) and you can target body parts on the bigger enemies. The logo powers are fun too.
Being fangoriously devoured by a gelatinous monster.
I played DAoC for years after making level 50 (I actually had three level 50 characters higher than RR5). You know, some games actually have content after the grinding.
If, as I suspect, a good portion of this game takes place in the end-game, I'm all for that. I'm completely uninterested in grinding levels - the faster it goes, the better.
Remember: this conversation is just between you and me ... and the NSA.
MaverickDago wrote:
Well so far they haven't made it known what that content would be in TR. The actual grinding part is engaging, but it's nothing new like they originally told us it'd be.
Fang: ya the logo's system is actually a cool bit!
Honestly i'd be really interested in seeing what the game was like before they scratched it and started over. As it is now you have some very cool design pieces out there but they dont seem completely fleshed out and personally it looks like they just draped those over a NCsoft shell.
Gamer Tag: Rantyr
I am not sure how far down the NDA has gone but I will give the simplest description of my experience with TR beta I can think of. If you played SWG post NGE it feels almost exactly the same except that you can just shoot at the ground if you don't have a target and want to fire off some shots (which I am not sure if you could do in SWG). I didn't really stick with it long enough to know how the game plays out higher end.
I'm in the beta. Anymore said than that and I'd have to kill ya. But I know they won't get mad if I pimp the game and I do will do so because LOrd British gave me that great Ultima III experience.
The atmosphere is sweet and the fps-ish combat is too even if it's still stat based.
For me TR has been just plain fun and have not felt the wait on my shoulders of leveling like most of the MMO's I have played. However, more testing is needed...
Zune | STEAM | Live | Xfire
i dont think this will break current NDA.
I was curious of everyones level that's currently still in Beta.
Gamer Tag: Rantyr
For those interested; http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/tabularasa/
Zune | STEAM | Live | Xfire
You have to be a fileplanet subscriber to be part of that fyi.
I don't think I've ever said this sentence before, but man would I love to hump that butterfly.-- KrazyTaco
One phone call and you're melting like butter over my kettle pop. -- Edwin to Mex
2005 GWJFFL2 Champion
I think the beta keys are all grabbed up. I tried to sign up and it tells me that my system doesn't meet the requirements without even asking me for them.
edit: NM gotta use internet explorer... blech
Being fangoriously devoured by a gelatinous monster.
I didn't use IE when I signed up.
Coldstream wrote:
I got into the beta barely last night, looking forward to trying it out in 2 days.
Xbox Live: Kooter06
I may have just received an email regarding a beta invitation.
XBL: elliottxW
MMO Aliases: Jozak or Ezzamar
If I were in, I would be thoroughly enjoying it
Being fangoriously devoured by a gelatinous monster.
If you were in, that would be good news!
Quote:
- Legion, taking "keeping it in the family" to a whole new level.
Xbox Live: Fedaykin98
Ended up just being a pre order email, eh?
I don't think I've ever said this sentence before, but man would I love to hump that butterfly.-- KrazyTaco
One phone call and you're melting like butter over my kettle pop. -- Edwin to Mex
2005 GWJFFL2 Champion
Pre-Order packs are available. They list beta access as part of the pre-order, but the access isn't active yet. I bought one and downloaded the client last night (it was 2GB). And in a very smart move, the pre-order pack is $5.
Remember: this conversation is just between you and me ... and the NSA.
MaverickDago wrote:
This is my first post on the GWJ forums, hurrah!
Anyway, I mostly agree with what's been said thus far. It's nice to see something different, I'm just not sure it's got what it takes to stay interesting.
I got the preorder e-mail and I'm very tempted to go ahead and do it.
Played over the weekend via Fileplanet, got to level 7, and I wish we could discuss it here. Hopefully the NDA gets dropped for beta players soon.
WAR: Coda, Archmage, Vortex <Unguilded>
^^ Agreed
Being fangoriously devoured by a gelatinous monster.
Like a store pre-order can you NOT go back and pay the remainder because you didn't like the game, etc?
I don't think I've ever said this sentence before, but man would I love to hump that butterfly.-- KrazyTaco
One phone call and you're melting like butter over my kettle pop. -- Edwin to Mex
2005 GWJFFL2 Champion
The only restriction I am aware of is that if you bought the pre-order in the store, *if* you want to buy the game you need to buy the retail copy. Similarly, if you bought online, *if* you want the full game, you need to buy online. I think there is also a U.S./European distinction as well. There is no requirement or obligation to purchase the full game AFAIK.
Remember: this conversation is just between you and me ... and the NSA.
MaverickDago wrote:
i jumped back in last night and have another complaint for the game. I'm level 20 and have absolutely no clue where to go next. Anyone else have any ideas.
Gamer Tag: Rantyr