Although the North American version of TERA has only seen a few beta weekends, the game itself has been out in Asia for several year, so the "but it's beta" argument won't really hold water.
Don't worry, I like the game, but I do have several problems with it as a whole, overall I think it was a very polished experience (again, the game has been out in Asia for a while) but a lot of things about the game don't seem to harmonize with North American and European tastes.
Let's see if TERAs "True action combat" can carve it's own niche into the MMO market, or if TERA is just yet another WoW + <insert IP here>.
1) Game play and functionality
Game play is to TERA like story is to SWTOR. Both claim to have the upper hand in these departments, but as it turns out in SWTORs case, the game falls apart when you take away the story. Does TERA suffer the same fate?
I would say, for the most part, yes. To it's credit however, TERA has a lot of unique features that a game like WoW doesn't have, so at the very least TERA can set itself apart in some regard.
The actual combat is very well done, however, it wasn't quite what I expected. I had assumed TERA would play like an actual action RPG, but instead it plays like an action RPG mixed with an MMO (go figure). Now, what I mean is although your attacks occur when you press the left and right mouse button (these are primary attacks/ blocks for the lancer) you are still bound to an attack speed, which creates this kind of weird situation where you just kinda hold down the mouse button until something dies.
To it's credit, this problem is alleviated at higher levels as you unlock more skill.
The game play is possibly the most polished and responsive MMO combat I've played to date. Huge credit in the game play area.
Game play and functionality:
9/10
2) Story and plot
I don't know why I would do story and plot on TERA since, well, it doesn't really have one... Granted there are bare bones quest lines and back story, but the presentation of them really isn't that appealing.
I do have to give points for the fact that there are at least some cut scenes and consistency in your characters story.
This is one of those moments where I remind you that game play is to TERA as story is to SWTOR. It boils down to mostly a one-trick pony.
Story and plot:
5/10
3) Dialog and script
As with story, the game doesn't really have that much dialog and the script that accompanies it is rather poorly written.
The best way I can describe the script in TERA is that it feels like an episode of Dragon Age Z. All the characters intentions are unrealistically overt and over the top. I remember killing a boss and with his final, dying, dramatic breath he said something a long the lines of "ARGH, you have achieved nothing! My dark lord will grant me redemption and I shall return!". Granted, that isn't the exact quote, but REALLY?! Why is he telling me all this? Why would he reveal that he has a dark lord as a master and that he will return? Wouldn't it be better to take me by surprise?
Dialog and script:
4/10
4) Technical graphics
Now we get to the good stuff. TERA is breathtaking. They owe a lot to their art direction, but also to their great graphics engine.
The engine is very smooth and well optimized in addition to looking great.
Now of course this is an MMO and the graphics can't go too over-the-top due to performance issue so points will be docked, however, for an MMO TERA is certainly one of the best looking ones on the market.
Technical graphics
9/10
5) Art style and direction
As I mentioned above, TERA owes a lot to the great art direction of the game.
There is something about the art style of Asian games that always makes them look unique. The huge towered spires and cities, the scales of the landscape and the great looking, unique characters. When you look at TERA you instantly recognize it as an Asian game, which is good since the look and feel of TERA will be necessary for TERA to gain it's core fan base.
Everything about TERAs art just flows together and look really great. Coupled with a great graphics engine, and unique art style, TERA is a huge eye full.
Art style and direction:
10/10
6) Sound design
This is another one of those areas where you sorta say "eh". The sound design in TERA isn't really anything special.
The sound effect are decent and the music is alright but nothing is really memorable. If you heard TERAs main theme, you might be able to tell where it came from, but where you hear something like the tavern music in WoW or the Elder Scrolls main theme, that kind of music can kick you in the face and instantly throw you back into the game.
TERA lacks that, unfortunately. It finishes with a pretty average score for sound design.
Sound design:
5/10
7) Level design
I'm quickly becoming accustomed to the quest hub hopping format, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. TERA also does not seem immune to this disease as it continues to consume the MMO market, systematically killing any sense of exploration or creativity when it comes to creating an MMO world.
The questing is very linear and feels more like a you're riding on a water slide that periodically changes color. It really is just one big roller coaster with pretty sky boxes.
For the sake of ending on a positive note, the environments, despite how linear they are, are very pretty to look at. The city is an impressive sight and some of the landscapes are pretty fun to romp around in.
Level design:
6/10
8) User interface:
I don't really have that many complaints when it comes to the UI of TERA out side the fact that it can get a bit shaky with trying to switch from combat mode to mouse mode since combat abilities are directly linked to the mouse.
Outside a few hiccups, the UI was very well constructed.
User interface:
7/10
9) Production value:
I was very pleased with my experiance in TERA.
It didn't feel like a new MMO (because it isn't) and I love that feeling. I love jumping into the launch of an MMO and feeling like the game has been optimized and has plenty of content.
There are some features issues, however. A big one of these issues being that Battlegrounds will not be launching with the game. I feel like this is a colossal mistake on Blue Hole's part. Time will tell how this plays out.
Regardless, TERA feels like a very well made MMO with plenty of features and details.
Production value:
8/10
10) Overall elements:
So with the great combat but lack of any real narrative structure, the overall elements are a little bitter sweet.
I love PLAYING the game but I don't like being in the game. The combat is fun but there isn't really anything outside of better gear and arbitrary levels that would make me want to progress through the game.
Although the lack of story offsets the game play ever-so-slightly (since game play will always take presidence over story) the art direct and graphics make the world a little more of a fun and interesting place to be.
Overall elements:
7/10
To top this article off, I would like to make a bold prediction. Do I think TERA will be successful? No
TERA is a fun game with great combat, but the fact that Asian games are very hit or miss with North American and European markets, coupled with the fact that they are releasing a pay-to-play MMO in a market that is clearly going free-to-play and buy-to-play, I really don't have a lot of confidence in this game meeting the exceptions that En Masse hopes to meet.
Personal score:
7/10
Technical score
70/100
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