Tabula Rasa set out to redefine all the expectations when it comes to massively-multiplayer online (MMO) games. On the other hand, World of Warcraft borrowed the best elements from competing fantasy games to create the near-perfect MMO experience. We pit future verses fantasy and explain why it's worthwhile to take a vacation from Azeroth.

Enough with the Elves and Orcs

Maybe this sounds familiar: An alliance of Humans, Elves, Gnomes and Dwarves struggle with a tenuous, often violent relationship with a horde of Orcs, Trolls and Undead. Sure, we love our Tauren Shaman as much as anyone else, and the Horde has a complex backstory, but World of Warcraft uses the same swords and fantasy setting as most other MMO games. After a while, they all start looking the same.

Tabula Rasa stands out with a sci-fi setting and trades in swords and shields for futuristic firepower. One could reasonably argue that TR's Logos system counts as a spell casting system, except every class has the ability to use Logos powers - not just the "magical" ones.

Everyone Fights
Longtime MMO players know the combat drill: Healers, spell casters and ranged classes hang back and support the melee fighters as they jump in, soak up damage and do all the real fighting. Tabula Rasa throws that format out the window, because this is an intergalactic war, and everyone needs to get into the fight. All TR characters can put skill points into basic firearms training, which cover all rifles, shotguns and pistols, allowing support classes to leap onto the frontline alongside soldiers. In addition, specialized support classes have access to weapons that soldiers can't use, so combative classes don't hog all the glory.

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