Tera 56.03

If you pay attention to game reviews, you already know that games are made of equal parts style and substance. If a game doesn't have enough of one or the other, critics will savage the game. What's interesting, though, is figuring out what gamers think. There are certainly people who put all their faith in the substance of a game, ignoring graphics in favor of game play. There are others, though, that just want something that looks pretty. If you're in the latter camp, there's absolutely no reason for you to not pick up Tera immediately. If nothing else, the game is absolutely gorgeous.

Gorgeous Graphics, Great Combat, Grind for Loot

Tera is a very, very pretty game. Like most eastern MMOs, it puts a lot of work into its aesthetic. Unlike many of those games, it checks the boxes that really appeal to Western gamers. Every character is customizable and every monster looks like someone who cared crafted its appearance. The armor you equip, weapons you use and world in which you inhabit all look like they were labors of love. When it comes to the MMO space, there's not much in the free-to-play realm that can compete with Tera in terms of looks alone. It's an amazing work of art.

That, unfortunately, still leaves a question of game play. If you've ever played an eastern MMO before, you have a fairly good idea of what you're going to get into with Tera. There's a lot of grinding involved in this game, and most of it isn't that fun. While the world looks great, you will get tired of seeing the same thing over and over again. Questing and crafting are almost afterthoughts in this game, which is a shame - the combat system is good enough to deserve much better. There should be more to this game than is present.

Social Atmosphere With Active Community

One of the saving graces of the game is the social atmosphere. Tera doesn't have a World of Warcaft-sized population, but there are enough players around that the social aspects work well. The mechanic of voting in rulers of zones is really novel, and you'll get quite a bit out of interacting with other players when you get a chance. If you aren't into social gaming, though, Tera's going to feel strangely empty. It is a game that asks quite a bit of the people who play, though it does offer enough rewards to make the time spent worthwhile.

Conclusion

In the end, Tera is a unique experiment in gaming. It's pretty, but it's got too much grinding. It has poor quest design, but it almost makes up for that fact with the social aspect of the game. If you are looking for a free to play MMO, this might be a good choice for you. If nothing else, it's a good introduction to this particular subgenre and a great way to get a look at an incredibly pretty game. When it comes right down to it, Tera's style is almost enough to make up for its lack of substance.