TERA

Action-based Korean MMORPG - Heart pounding action, aggressive enemies and a robust character creator all await you in Tera. This free-to-play MMORPG will amaze you with its excellent graphics and adrenalinic combat system.

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Screenshots [click to enlarge]

Game overview

A big budget MMORPG, TERA originally required a subscription fee but it has recently become free-to-play. This title was released in Korea in 2011 and then later in 2013 for a Western audience. TERA was published in the US and Europe by En Masse Entertainment and Frogster, respectively.

The game has one big advantage: its combat system which was extensively highlighted during the game's marketing campaign. TERA's combat system is far from what people are used to seeing in other titles. At times the action will remind you more of a third person action game with its much more direct and visceral presentation.

Despite all this, the repetitive quests will quickly remind you that this games is an MMORPG, but fortunately the very sophisticated graphics along with the combat system make up for the repetitiveness of the quests.

More or less free-to-play, there isn't much from stopping you to at least try the game's new adaptations, except maybe its long download times.

➔ Main points:

  • A very popular MMORPG, which happens to be also the most played free to play game on Steam.
  • Typical Korean gameplay, with lots of enemies to kill and farming quests.
  • Action-based combat system with combos and special attacks.
  • Amazing graphics.

Trailer

Full review

As we see more and more often, the high budget headliners that make gamers talk for months on end before their release usually foreshadow a game very well done . Graphics, soundtrack, gameplay, specificity... TERA has them all.

Of course, game developers don't just thrive off of a game being well received, so usually a monthly subscription fee has to be arraigned, and that's how TERA was originally born: as a buy-to-play game.

Things didn't go very well though, and the publisher decided to try the free to play model to save their creation... with much success indeed, as TERA became in 2016 the most played free to play game on Steam!

Live Your Dreams...

The Exiled Realms of Arborea (AKA “TERA” ) is one of the latest entries in the world of high quality MMORPGs which is now free to play to the delight of its players.

The storyline is a bit unique, to say the least.
The world of TERA comes from the imagination of two sleeping creatures. In their dreams, these creatures imagine a world populated by all kinds of species and races which are none other than those of the game. Their commonality is their enemy, The Argons, horrifying beasts who in order to be destroyed, must come face to face with an alliance between all the species in the kingdom.

Exactly as I wanted!

An example of menacing character in TERA

The difference between the characters, beyond the statistical values of X and Y is the difference of their physical appearances.

The developers must have had fun creating characters, some of whom are either menacing, cute and cuddly, large and intimidating, or tiny and seemingly fragile. Such choices really allow players to create the character of their dreams (pun intended) while also creating a very diverse population in the game. Once the character's created you will, as usual, have the choice of a class, which in TERA, largely changes the gameplay.

Nine in number, there's a class for just about anyway you would want to play. The original four were the Warrior, Berserker, Slayer and Lancer classes but the developers have recently updated the roster with the Archer, Mystic, Priest, Sorcerer and Brawler.

These 9 classes fall into the are the usual damage dealing character, but each has a specific function, either to inflict heavy damage or small damage but much faster, some have higher defense stats and others prefer to cast spells and stay at a distance. The classes appeal to the tastes of everyone.

Combos galore

As in any MMORPG the adventure begins with creating your persona.

Unfortunately, as in nearly all MMORPGs, quests quickly lose their charm and this game is no exception. A lot of games' quests have a tendency to be too similar, either among quests in the same game (with indifference to their level) or between different MMORPGs altogether.

Expect plenty of in-game action

To make matters better, the great diversity, both physically and characteristic, of the monsters which you fight, does well on one hand , and luckily on the other the quests are a little more complex and original than the average monster slaying quests seen in other games.

The quests quickly become more interesting than the norm thanks to the innovative dynamics of the battle system. Actually, the main selling point of the game before its release was its battle system. This system finally brings something new to the MMORPG table as it allows all types of actions and combos to be linked together with or without pausing gameplay. This offers players a chance to catch their breath and create new strategies or instead keep the action going.

With all this, one could say that every player's physical abilities are going to be tested. In effect, a player needs to be ingenious to the problems at hand and also must practice and improve their hand-eye coordination; there's a lot more that goes into battle other than the specifics of each class and race.

Arborea , My Love

Graphically speaking TERA takes the prize.

To be frank, the game is simply a treat for the eyes, by creating a surreal world full of personality. (the details are beautiful and well thought up) and an environment that will immerse you, everything is put together exceptionally well.

To be frank, the game is simply a treat for the eyes.

But Everything Has a Price

The minimum requirements to run this game are very high. It goes without saying that to run the game at maximum you will need a better configuration compared most free-to-play games.

If your PC has trouble running games which are beginning to age, it is not even worth expecting it to run TERA correctly.

Conclusion

TERA, without any doubt, leaves many other free-to-play MMORPG in the dust, despite the fact that its quests are rather bland.
When we talk about TERA, we talk about breathtaking graphics, a beautiful world, incredible battles and plenty lost hours due to playing.
So if you think your PC will hold out, go download the game!

Ready to enter the world of TERA? Click here to play now!

Graphics: full 3D
PvP: guild or factions matches or duels PvE PvP
Cash shop influence: average
Exp rate: medium

Originality
Very innovative battle. The actions offered by the game are unique and dynamic.

What We Liked..

Excellent battle system

Realistic and detailed graphics

.. and what we didn't

Bland and repetitive quests

It takes a good setup in order to run the game at its maximum


Fun factor
4.0 out of 5
Community
4.0 out of 5
Graphics
4.0 out of 5
6.5
For Real Fans

Review summary

  1. Live Your Dreams...
  2. Exactly as I wanted!
  3. Combos galore
  4. Arborea , My Love
  5. Conclusion

What we liked..

Excellent battle system
Realistic and detailed graphics

.. and what we didn't

Bland and repetitive quests
It takes a good setup in order to run the game at its maximum
6.5
Graphics - 80 / 100
Fun factor - 80 / 100
Longevity - 80 / 100
Originality - 80 / 100
Community - 80 / 100

I like this game, I want to
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