Massively^™

Recently, we made a trip over to NCsoft's offices in Austin, Texas, to get a preview of the Tabula Rasa's newest dungeon, the ultra top secret Omega Labs. We had a chance to chat with Senior Designer Wynne McLaughlin, who brought us up to speed on where Omega Labs fit into the game's story in between staccato bursts of gunfire from his computer speakers. So for those of you who haven't been keeping up with TR's lore [and for those of you who don't want to spoil any surprises, we recommend averting your eyes], we're visiting Penumbra Headquarters in the level 40ish subcontinent Torden Abyss. Penumbra is the black ops branch of the AFS, under the questionable leadership of a man known only as the Director. As you work through quests given by Penumbra, you'll gain higher levels of security clearance and be allowed into section 1, 2, 3, 4, and finally 5.

Omega Labs is an instanced wing off Section 5, where Penumbra and the AFS have lost all communication -- and no one is quite sure what's happening inside. As he jumps through the instance portal, McLaughlin explains that with Omega Labs, they were trying to bring more of a survival horror feel to the game, and we have to say they've done a decent job of it with dark corridors, flickering lights, and zombie-like Machina rising from the ground when you least expect them.

Warning: If you're the sort of person who does likes to experience the content first hand and unspoiled -- stop reading now. The text to follow is filled with spoilers. If you click ahead and see something you didn't want to see, don't say we didn't warn you! However, if this sounds like your cup of tea, read on!