Tarisland evokes a sense of familiarity akin to some of the notable MMOs I've enjoyed in the past. Its environments are visually captivating, offering ample opportunities for exploration. The classes in Tarisland are characterized by their distinctiveness and are tailored around a core mechanic or thematic element, allowing players to choose from two specializations for added flexibility.
However, while Tarisland manages to recapture some of the enjoyable experiences found in other games, I am troubled by the shift towards microtransactions and the lack of consistency in the storytelling, voice acting, and writing.
Tarisland Overview
The cross-platform massively multiplayer online role-playing game Tarisland, created by Locojoy and Level Infinite, may be played on PCs and mobile devices. The two versions of the software are seamlessly compatible with each other, sharing progression and multiplayer capabilities. It can be downloaded as a standalone Windows application or from the Apple or Google Play stores.
I played the game on both an Android and PC during my preview, but since I favor mouse and keyboard capabilities, I found myself going more toward the PC version—especially since the mobile version doesn't allow controllers.
One of Tarisland's most notable features is its stunning visuals, particularly the beautifully crafted character models. Whether on the character selection screen or amidst battlefield action, the visuals truly enhance the gaming experience. Furthermore, the game's aesthetic design and gameplay mechanics felt familiar yet captivating, reminiscent of popular MMOs like World of Warcraft and modern free-to-play titles such as Genshin Impact. However, Tarisland distinguishes itself by offering a more focused and streamlined experience, albeit lacking some of the depth and charm of its counterparts.
Despite the capabilities of modern mobile devices to deliver console-like visuals, Tarisland's adaptation for smaller screens doesn't compromise on gameplay depth. The developers opted for a smaller set of abilities for each player, avoiding the "ability bloat" often seen in other MMOs. This decision ensures that each character class and specialization remains hyper-focused on synergy and specific functions, with six main abilities that seamlessly complement unique resources or mechanics. Additionally, the majority of abilities are instant, facilitating fluid combat encounters without sacrificing strategic depth.
Overall, Tarisland's blend of captivating visuals, familiar gameplay mechanics, and streamlined design make it a promising MMO experience across both PC and mobile platforms.
Classes In Tarisland
Let's delve into the topic of classes in Tarisland.
My choice was the Phantom Priest (or Phantom Necro, or Phantom Necromancer, depending on where you're looking), renowned for its prowess in ranged spell-casting damage or healing, contingent upon the specialization you opt for.
In the damage-oriented specialization known as Soul Snatch, you're bestowed with access to six ranged spells designed to inflict damage and potentially harvest Souls from foes. These Souls fuel a gauge enabling you to enhance or alter the functionality of certain spells, affording you flexibility in combat. Accumulating five Souls triggers a transformation in one of your typical damaging spells, summoning a spectral ally to aid in battle. Alternatively, you can utilize Souls to amplify subsequent casts of your primary offensive spell, intensifying their damage output.
Maintaining the cooldown on your reliable soul-generating spell is imperative, as is avoiding reaching the Soul cap, necessitating resource management strategies throughout combat, a feature I appreciate. Additionally, each class possesses a specialized group attack ability, simplifying the dispatching of weaker adversaries and allowing you to focus on skill rotation for singular targets or formidable foes such as dungeon, raid, or challenge bosses.
Though 6 abilities may seem limited, they're complemented by 2 ultimate skills and three potion slots, offering versatility. These potions can be filled with various concoctions you've acquired, crafted, or purchased, while ultimate abilities can be freely swapped between those unlocked. If you want to get enough potions, it is essential to accumulate enough Tarisland Gold Coins. My experience in the closed beta included acquiring 4 or 5 ultimate abilities, ranging from emergency self-heals to swift movements, prioritizing utility over offense. Furthermore, the inclusion of a dedicated mount button, allowing for mounted combat, adds another layer of engagement.
During my preview, I experimented with various classes including the Phantom Priest, Mage, Priest, Paladin, Warrior, and Ranger. While the Phantom Priest offered enjoyable gameplay, other classes proved equally engaging, each presenting unique abilities worth exploring further, particularly in dungeons and challenge encounters. The streamlined experiences in these encounters, which efficiently delivered the essence of gameplay enjoyment without overstaying their welcome, were commendable.
Moreover, the ability to swiftly switch between character specializations and enhance their abilities using Silver currency, earned through completing missions and various activities, adds depth to character progression. Whether manually or automatically leveling up abilities, the distribution of Silver ensures equitable enhancement until depleted.
An Analysis Of The Closed Beta Experience On Tarisland
Among the aspects I anticipate being addressed in the final version, my primary concern lies with the coherence of the narrative and its delivery.
Throughout the closed beta, numerous instances occurred where character lip-syncing failed to match the accompanying voiceover, dialogue lines abruptly cut off during cinematic sequences, and inconsistencies arose in the storyline, such as characters referencing events that had not transpired.
One notable example involved a knight informing the player that her brother had ascended to the throne, only for him to refer to her as his daughter moments later. Furthermore, the uneven equalization of voice acting resulted in noticeable variations in tone and clarity between lines. Nonetheless, the inclusion of voiced character interactions, albeit imperfect, adds a commendable dimension to the experience.
Regrettably, my exploration of Tarisland was constrained by the limited duration of the closed beta. Nonetheless, I found enjoyment in traversing the game world, aiding villagers, and engaging in diverse activities, including mini-games, challenges, and brief quests unlocked upon completing each area's story missions.
Navigation proved straightforward and enjoyable, facilitated by numerous teleportation points on the world map and highlighted pathways upon selecting quest objectives, ensuring I remained oriented throughout my journey. The option to access the game on both mobile and PC platforms is a noteworthy feature, although the inclusion of microtransactions employing a "pay for power" model has somewhat tempered my enthusiasm for the forthcoming 1.0 release.
Nevertheless, I remain hopeful that these concerns will be addressed, as the prospect of a well-developed, free-to-play MMO is indeed appealing.
