Tabula Rasa

In the online world, Massively Multiplayer Role-playing Games (MMORPG)'s are the big money makers. Instead of just selling you a game for , they attempt to create a world that is so interesting that you'll want to keep on coming back for - a month.

The classic role-playing setting is fantasy, but MMORPG's like World of Warcraft, Everquest, Dungeons and Dragons Online and Guild Wars have all created their worlds in the sword-and-sorcery fantasy setting. So when it comes to a new MMORPG hitting the market, companies had better make sure that they are offering something unique if they want to survive for more than a year. That's where Tabula Rasa comes in.

Instead of a fantasy setting, Tabula Rasa takes a science fiction approach. When an alien invasion happens on earth, the government takes key people through a portal onto an alien world in order to ensure the survival of the human race. With earth all but destroyed, the remaining humans fight to gain a foothold in the new world while exacting revenge on the alien race that attacked earth.

The game is set up as a combat-oriented RPG. Various guns, grenade, and melee attacks will be the basics of your combat repertoire. Tabula Rasa also features a unique magic system. Within some humans (your character included), the potential to learn runic magic is discovered. You can visit various locations in the game world to learn more about this magic and gain new spells.

Tabula Rasa is a good-looking game. The graphics and sound are both solidly done. The character creation process has done away with character classes. Instead, as you level and spend points to upgrade various abilities, you'll define your character by his or her skills and abilities.

This game is an easy recommendation for anyone who wants to explore an MMORPG that doesn't involve elves, orcs, and dwarves.