I was fortunate enough to happen to pull up my TERA loading screen to find that I could create a character, and soon after, log in to the world of TERA. I was stunned. How could I log in? Upon first entering the world with a breathtaking cinematic, I was surrounded by hundreds of others players all bundled onto one server.
It seems En Masse Entertainment was putting on a “dress rehearsal” for their upcoming beta that is starting tomorrow. They wanted to make sure everything was running smoothly, and allowed players to play for three hours, which I had arrived just in time for!
Upon entering the Isle of Dawn, where all races start, I was brought to the most impressive experience in an MMO than I have ever had before. While the graphics were not the best because the high resolution graphics are not yet in the game (supposedly coming in the closed beta test 2), the game still was a masterpiece. The art and gameplay are purely beautiful even at medium resolution.
Below is a short video from someone that happened to get a recording.
As soon as I realized this, I was off to the races. While it was quite difficult to find a nice place to do my quests and attack mobs, since I was surrounded by a few thousand players, I still had the experience of a life-time. Instantly, I knew that TERA is the greatest MMO I have ever played to date. Hands down, thee greatest. With my Castanic Archer’s crosshairs aiming at the face of a buck, I finally used my powerful skills to take it down.
The neat thing about mobs in this game is that they will attempt to dodge your attacks. I found myself looking at little creatures jumping up and down as they came towards me to dodge my arrows. Slower animals, such as a buck, would stray left and right to make their way towards me as well. Upon mobs reaching my character, they typically had a dangerous attack that I needed to get out of the way for. When I right clicked, I would whirlwind back several feet and ferociously left click to get a constant stream of arrows to the face.
Let me say it outright, I did not get any coverage of my gameplay. For some reason the recorder I was using did not stream anything, so I hope to have that fixed for this weekend! Anyways, upon reaching the main town on the Isle of Dawn, I felt like I was in Guild Wars 2. Thought I am yet to play Guild Wars 2 I have seen numerous amounts of videos with background voices in towns, making you feel as if you are in a real, live town that is flowing with excitement. The background voices include kids running and screaming along with the general adult chatter all around. This town also has a market-like feeling which gets you into the action. Hopefully when I leave the starting island at around level 11, I will encounter much greater cities that are just as extravagant and give me a similar feeling.
En Masse was also kind enough to give us helpful tips about enhancing armor and weapons with crystals and learning how to gather materials. The nice thing about gathering nodes and harvesting in TERA is that there no need to find several different trainers to learn all skills. One trainer does it all for class skills and gathering skills! I later found out in another helpful tip that gathering in groups allow for faster gains and allow all players in the group to receive loot (with larger gains). This will promote grouping and player with player activity.
Now to change the pace a little.
Physically bending over to pick up items is a plus (yes, you literally bend over) along with finally not being able to run through other people and mobs. Customization of a character is beautiful and gaining experience brings you into the game. As an MMO-gamer for years and years, I am sick of seeing “+100″ experience and I think En Masse was well aware of that. Gaining experience in TERA has never felt more personal before as it glides to you. A sprinkle of yellow stars and a stream of gold behind it will travel from mobs and quest givers to your body, bringing that feeling of physical gain to you and your character.
As level 10, I cannot delve much further beyond the fact that melee combat is once again incorporated into a ranger’s ability panel. My karate kick will kick your ass, and I mean that. If a mob or another player (come PvP time) happens to be within a short distance of me “Close Quarters” will allow me to spin the air and karate kick you not once, but twice. TWICE.
Beyond the basics of the starting island, I do not know much more. After this weekend I will be able to give another in-depth analysis of what I have experienced. I hope that my recorder will be working so I may show you what I, alongside tens of thousands of others, are experiencing, in hope that you will join us in TERA! More to come this weekend, stay tuned!
It has been said that PvP servers will not be in effect until the second closed beta which is set for February 24-26. I am yet to experience a duel or any type of background yet as well. I assume that I will be introduced to battlegrounds as soon as I leave the Isle of Dawn and go into the massive world. Did I mention that? Oh I guess I just did; MASSIVE world.
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