Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa

UGO (UnderGroundOnline) (A-)

One of the weaker points of the game is the crafting system which is and feels very much like an after thought, but really, who cares when there is just so many monsters to snipe, scatter spray and laser to death. The game isn't free and carries the standard $14.99 price tag but its candy visually and the action is as constant you will find in an MMO. A great launch, open and constant action as well as compelling story, Tabula Rasa lives up to the hype as the next sci-fi MMO.

WomenGamers.com (9 out of 10)

In short it's pretty close to a master piece. It is a true journey and an adventure. The Lord of the Rings online game is also a good example of an alternate world being brought to life with such close attention to detail. But LOTRO isn't anywhere near as fun, navigable and playable. The oldie but goodie Dark Age of Camelot was also a great game in its time for recapturing a world online that reads like a book. You do feel as though you are caught up in the story. I hope that I don't start dreaming that I am living in this world it would be harsh. That means it gets a 9 out of 10.

GameWatcher / Strategy Informer (9 out of 10)

This is a game that's worth immersing yourself in. There may be a few bugs now, but they'll inevitably be fixed in a patch soon, and there's more than enough here to keep you coming back for more Thrax-spanking action. It's a gorgeous, huge, detailed and varied world that you could sink into. The gameplay is stunning: the best parts of the genre have been kept and improved – look at how you can develop through the character tree, clone your avatar, and experience everything the game has to offer – with the most annoying aspects, like grinding your way through reams of numbers just to beat the next quest – banished to the bargain bin. The gameplay works wonderfully – it's action-packed and fast-paced, like a shooter, and the co-operative nature of the game is a joy.

GameZone (8.6 out of 10)

The game is not without its faults. Weapons jam faster in an instanced frontline than when you are fighting off half a dozen Bane in the open country. If you are locked on, you can’t use cover – the missiles will go right through anything that might shield you to hit you. Of course the opposite (when you are shooting) is true. Still, Tabula Rasa provides an entertaining action shooter experience that does bring some very good ideas to the fore. There is innovation here and entertainment.

Gamigo (8.5 out of 10)

Tabula Rasa bietet viele interessante Ideen, wie beispielsweise die Wahl des Abschlusses einer Quest oder die unterschiedlichen Welten zur Zerstreuung des Spieleraufkommens. Wieso aber das Handels- und Craftingsystem so stiefmütterlich behandelt wird. Dennoch macht das Spiel eine Menge Laune, auch wenn die ersten 5 Level etwas zäh zu bewältigen sind und erst durch die erste Spezialisierung interessant wird. Aber wie es sich für ein Onlinerollenspiel mit Anspruch gehört, wird im Laufe der nächsten Monate sicherlich noch einiges passieren und viele Neuerungen und Änderungen vorgenommen. Wir haben uns daher entschlossen, Tabula Rasa eine Wertung auf Vorbehalt zu vergeben und in regelmässigen Abständen eine Kurz-Review über den jeweiligen Stand des Spieles zu vergeben.

Cheat Code Central (4.2 out of 5)

There are some minor glitches such as collision detection issues, points failing to be awarded or distributed properly, and some slowdown. But compared to a lot of online games, that's not much to complain about. Overall the game is solid, fun, and action-packed. The production values are great with excellent graphics, animation, voicework, music, and sound effects. The game itself is almost as impressive as the cutscenes. It incorporates a lot of gameplay variety but the main focus is on combat. The kitchen-sink approach to including various gameplay elements does not make me want to wash my hands of this game.

Game Shark (B+)

Tabula Rasa has some flaws, but ultimately the deep and engaging combat is what makes the title shine. Still, the average if not flawed gameplay that makes up the rest of the title is worrisome, and even if it doesn’t represent the majority of what most players will be interested it does detract from the experience as a whole. Nevertheless players will spend most of their time happily trading fire with hostile aliens in combat that rewards the strategic player, a welcome breath of fresh air in a genre that could use a good shakeup.

4Players.de (83 out of 100)

Tabula Rasa bietet kurzweilige Unterhaltung für nahezu jedermann: Der „Hab nur kurz Zeit“ hat ebenso viel Spaß wie der „Ich zock die Nacht durch“, der „Ich spiel lieber allein“ kann ebenso spannende Gefechte erleben wie der „Gemeinsam sind wir stark“. Der ganz große Aha-Effekt wie seinerzeit bei Ultima Online bleibt aus – dennoch kehre ich immer wieder gerne zu Tabula Rasa zurück, das ähnlich wie Biowares Mass Effect durch das futuristische Szenario und die erfrischenden Gefechte einige kleinere Schwächen kaschieren kann.

PC Games (Germany) (83 out of 100)

Bei DER Vorgeschichte hatte ich schlimme Bedenken. Die sich nun in Wohlgefallen wandeln: Das Online-Rollenspiel ist richtig gut geworden, bereinigt von Langatmigkeiten und anderen genretypischen Ärgernissen. Überraschend schnell glüht das „Nur noch eine Quest“-Fieber, auch wenn ich mir die fantasielosen Texte der Auftragsgeber ungern durchlese, geschweige denn ihrer Sprachausgabe lausche. Mit seltsam gestelzten Betonungen ziehen die Sprecher eine sonst makellose Atmosphäre runter. Denn wie Tabula Rasa den Krieg zwischen Bane und AFS darstellt, das verbreitet eine großartig epische Stimmung. Da steckt so viel Dynamik drin, dass die Welt mit Leben pulsiert. Unterstützend wirkt die Grafik: Oft habe ich die Kamera in Bewunderung gedreht, um die Schönheit der abwechselnd idyllischen und zerstörten Umgebung aufzusaugen.

Game Informer Magazine (8.25 out of 10)

Even so, a good game is a good game, and I'd much rather Tabula Rasa come late to the party than not at all. Some of the new partygoers could learn a thing or two from this one.

Play.tm (82 out of 100)

Tabula Rasa is far from complete, but no MMORPG ever is when it is first released. As it stands though, it forms a good solid basis for what deserves to become an extremely popular online offering. Despite the strong competition of World of Warcraft and Everquest 2, Tabula Rasa manages to add some unique and innovative features to the genre such as the cloning system, and hopefully with a few more patches under its belt (adding extra features); it will be guaranteed a strong player base for many years to come. Although perhaps not a great MMORPG for a newcomer to begin with, due to its slightly sparse tutorial, it is a good example of the genre and deserves to be played by many who fancy something a bit different from the relatively simplistic World of Warcraft. Go out and give it a try.

Gamer.co.il (82 out of 100)

בשורה התחתונה, חשוב לזכור שהמשחק עדיין בשלב הראשוני ביותר שלו. סביר להניח שעם הזמן יצאו טלאים רבים והרחבות, שיתקנו חלק ניכר מהבעיות שציינתי. גם עם כל התקלות הללו, טבולה ראסה עדיין מצליח להעביר חוויה מהנה, פשוטה מספיק להבנה עבור שחקן החדש, חדשנית מספיק בשביל למשוך שחקנים וותיקים בז'אנר. אולי בעתיד, עוד יהפוך המשחק הזה לחוויה מדהימה באמת, אך נכון לרגע זה, לא בטוח שכדאי לכם למהר ולהצטרף.

PC Action (Germany) (81 out of 100)

Man merkt dem Spiel an, dass sein Schöpfer Richard Garriott ein alter Hase auf dem Computerspielsektor ist. Warum? Weil er sich genau angeschaut hat, welche Fehler von Konkurrenztiteln er auf keinen Fall wiederholen darf. Und noch wichtiger: welche Elemente er kopieren sollte, um für einen reibungslosen Spielablauf zu sorgen. Diese Elemente kombiniert er geschickt mit einem herrlich unkomplizierten Spielablauf und einigen frischen Ideen. Voilà – fertig ist ein gelungenes Online-Rollenspiel mit Langzeitmotivation.

GamingExcellence (8 out of 10)

Overall, Tabula Rasa is a very fun MMORPG. Is it changing the way we play MMOs? Definitely not. Sure there are new tricks of the trade (not having to stop to loot, for example). Is it worth a look? Sure, especially if you're into the genre. Did it live up to all the hype, I don’t think so.

GameSpy ( )

Despite the problems, Tabula Rasa is off to a great start and its future potential is very promising. While the lack of an auction house hurts the game, the awesome combat, intense battlefield action, fun missions and interesting character progression is more than enough to keep players coming back for a good long while. A well-realized science fiction setting in a genre overflowing with elves and orcs doesn't hurt either. A big salute to "General British" for letting us all indulge our inner starship trooper.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (8 out of 10)

Massively multiplayer games are all evolving things, and we're very, very keen to watch Tabula Rasa's evolution. The initial launch is incredibly promising, more than anything else. Right now, it's imperfect - but it's great fun to play, and we don't regret investing dozens of hours into the game - which is fairly high praise, given how many great games are sitting half-played on top of our various consoles. It's not necessarily the future of MMORPGs, no; but it's got polish to rival WoW in many key places, it's got great ideas, it eliminates much of the hated grind, and it's got a combat system that's fast, fun and unique.

GameStar (Germany) (80 out of 100)

Objektiv betrachtet hat Tabula Rasa viele Ecken und Kanten, allen voran die mangelnden Inhalte für hochstufige Spieler. Ich mag Tabula Rasa trotzdem, weil es erfrischend ist, weil es Charakter hat. Wer keine Talent-Anklick- Kämpfe mehr sehen kann, darf sich an den reinen Tisch setzen.

2404.org PC Gaming (8 out of 10)

Altogether, Tabula Rasa is a surprisingly solid product, and gamers that have waited long for a decent sci-fi MMO should check it out.

Game Informer Magazine (8 out of 10)

Tabula Rasa largely achieves what it sets out to do and will no doubt be worth the monthly fee for a non-trivial number of gamers. Should you cancel your WoW sub and pick it up? Perhaps not, but blowing away aliens with a laser chaingun sure beats the pants off farming old content that got stale months ago.

UOL Jogos ( )

Embora "Tabula Rasa" solucione os problemas típicos dos RPGs online massivos apenas em parte, ele é um importante passo para a evolução do gênero. Ao incorporar elementos dos jogos de tiro, inclusive o controle pelo teclado, o jogo se distancia da mecânica com base apenas em cliques desenfreados e dados numéricos. "Tabula Rasa" segue outro caminho: prioriza a habilidade do jogador enquanto oferece um simples e eficiente sistema de evolução de personagem, sem quantidades exageradas de informações ou janelas na tela. É o jogo ideal tanto para quem está embarcando no gênero quanto para aqueles que já se cansaram de "World of Warcraft".

Gameplay (Benelux) (80 out of 100)

Eindelijk eens wat anders dan die eeuwige Fantasy-setting zonder dat je daarbij de typische MMORPG-aanpak hoeft te missen.

GameSpot (Belgium/Netherlands) (80 out of 100)

Tabula Rasa is niet perfect, maar het is een stuk beter dan wat we in bèta speelden. Het is hoopgevend om te zien hoe de ontwikkelaars een hoop ergernissen van de spelers wegwerkten. Laten we hopen dat die trend zich verder zet, want Tabula Rasa kan nog heel wat extra's gebruiken.

IC-Games (79 out of 100)

Overall Richard Garriot's Tabula Rasa is not your average Massively Multiplayer title, although the basis is firmly planted in that genre, whether it will appeal to everyone and have the same clout as the likes of EVE or any of the other sword and sorcery MMO's is debatable. If you have been waiting for a FPS style online RPG then you should try Tabula Rasa at the very least, you have to say though that this is less a blank slate and more of a fill in the blanks on-line RPG.

Power Unlimited (77 out of 100)

Daar waar Hellgate: London een echte mix van actie en MMORPG gameplay is, blijft Tabula Rasa ondanks de shooter ambities toch voornamelijk trouw aan de inmiddels oude vertrouwde MMO blauwdruk. Als actiespel schiet de game dan ook tekort, maar als MMORPG komt Tabula Rase er prima vanaf.

Vgames (77 out of 100)

טאבולה ראסה הוא משחק תפקידים ויריות, בסדר הזה, עם הרבה אקשן כיפי ואווירה קלילה. הוא מזכיר שעשועון טלוויזיה בערוץ 10 – כיף ונחמד, אבל לא הרבה רואים אותו, ומסיבות טובות. הוא גם דומה למונופול – כולם נהנים לגלגל קוביות ולצבור משאבים, אבל בתכל'ס, אין שום החלטות של ממש והכל די שטחי. הוא גם דומה לשימוש מוגזם במטאפורות, בכך שבסופו של דבר, זה די נמאס.
אולי בעוד טלאי או שניים יתגבר משחק התפקידים הצבאי והנחמד הזה על הבעיות שלו ויהפוך לראוי באמת לתשלום החודשי – אבל נראה לי שגם בעוד שיפורים רבים, הוא פשוט לא יצליח להתעלות על אחיו ולהפוך למשחק המוני מיוחד באמת.

IGN (7.5 out of 10)

Tabula Rasa probably isn’t the best MMO to cut your teeth on, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad game. It’s rather frustrating by yourself, though, unless you’re the Rambo type who wants to grind until they can solo instances meant for a full squad. Even just traveling around the worlds can be perilous alone, so it’d be better to go in with some friends on board from the get-go, if you can. While not a completely revolutionary game, Tabula Rasa does add features such as the cloning system and dynamic battlefield that perhaps start building the bridge to that next evolution of MMO.

GameSpot (7.5 out of 10)

Nitpicks aside, Tabula Rasa's take on the genre is unique enough to make it worth playing. It's fun and action-packed, and if you can get a good group together, the instanced areas are a blast. It's got its share of problems and plenty of room to grow. But if you want something different and surprisingly entertaining, you'll probably find a lot to like about Tabula Rasa.

YouGamers (75 out of 100)

Not a complete disaster, but lacks in scope and ambition, and fails to keep the interest up as the quality of available content falls as you level up, and the high end game is just promises at this point - while the newbie experience is fine, the "meat" of the game that would keep you playing for months seems to be still under development.

Games TM (7 out of 10)

The nature of Tabula Rasa's very gradual exposition means its storyline doesn't quite gel with the early part of the game - we were left with no impression that the AFS were fighting a battle against a phenomenally powerful alien race and no clear idea as to why the Bane were bad, just that they had to die. MMO fans looking for something different will find many of their needs addressed in Tabula Rasa, especially those in need of a break from pointy-eared mystics and giant green freaks with axes. It's an original and fun title that will influence the scene, it just lacks the expected Gariott magic.

Jive Magazine (3.5 out of 5)

So far, the players have really enjoyed the cloning system in Tabula Rasa because it gives them more choices and more freedom. Right now, no one else is doing it. We talk a lot on the team about what makes Tabula Rasa unique and what feature will separate it from the rest of the games that came before it. I think that one of those things is the cloning system. I am very happy that it is something the players really seem to be enjoying. Character cloning gives players a way to respec in a way that makes sense, and it lets them try out classes and skills they may not have ever played before. I think most importantly, it makes Tabula Rasa a bit less restrictive and much more fun for the player.

1UP (6.5 out of 10)

My chief concern is TR's longevity. At present, the game offers maybe three or four months of content. With little in the way of engaging PVP, useful item crafting, or other distractions for veterans who've hit the level cap and cleared out all their quests, the game could easily fade away. On the other hand, the unique combat, interesting setting, and promise of future content updates make it a worthwhile purchase for that subset of MMO players who are sick to death of high fantasy and dial-a-combo combat.

Game Revolution (C+)

How does Tabula Rasa stack up? Well, all things considered, the slate is not blank at all. It is still very much an MMO, despite it wearing some action game skin and howling at the moon an awful lot. Tabula Rasa is, however, a slightly better than average example of the MMO's out there, and brings a lot of the breadth of play from World of Warcraft along with some gameplay that is similar to City of Heroes. Despite my general disdain for chewing on my feet, I have to give this game two detached toes up.