It was obvious with a gathering of legendary figures such as Ken Rolston (executive designer) of Elder Scrolls fame, R. A. Salvatore (game lore and universe) author of the DemonWars Saga and Forgotten Realms novels, and Todd McFarlane (artwork) comic Superstar of Spawn renown, we were in for a treat.
Developed by 38 Studios and Big Huge Games, Kingdoms of Amalur features 5 distinct regions, 4 playable races, and 3 class trees with 22 abilities per tree. Combat is based on the timing of button press, which won't get you far unless you rely on strategy and "proper" RPG playing.
(drools....)
Prologue:"Your body was left to rot in a pile of corpses, another failed experiment. But you are alive. Unbound by the chains of Fate, you are free to choose your Destiny. And with the Faelands enveloped in the Crystal War, your power will not go unnoticed—by friend or foe"
(drools....)
Currently scoring
80% (xbox 360) and
81% (Ps3) on
Metacritic.com, it isn't perfect, but boy has it got lineage and perhaps the finest combat system designed for any RPG.
Quote of the bunch:"Does all the boring, difficult parts of RPG game design very well, and marries them to exceptionally slick combat and a towering stack of stuff to do"
Eurogamer
Reviews Summary:
Deep, polished gameplay wrapped around an interesting and engulfing universe
Combat scenarios themselves are painfully pedantic and lose any surprise after the first few hours of play
Immaculately crafted and beautiful, yet still simple and accessible
RPG players craving depth and the ability to make real choices or play a role will be out of luck
KOAR is simply staggering; it's a tremendous achievement and an experience you shouldn't miss.
Just isn't fleshed out enough to be the product of the three visionaries behind it.
The combat is what really sets the game apart rivals Skyrim's scope
A labor of love from creative people with the ways and means to bring their ideas to fruition, and it shows
It's less a world you discover, ultimately, as one you revisit, and that's a failing no amount of fancy footwork can disguise
Reckoning is the first title to offer a legitimate challenge to the Elder Scrolls juggernaut
An arcade version of Skyrim, packed with the visual style of World of Warcraft and an action combat system.
Official Website
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Game Wallpaper
Alf the Helper: ah you want me to get a tissue?
Elderly: A tissue? why would.. oh the drooling! yes unfortunate that, no no I'm fine
Alf the Helper: So... well... are we getting this?
Elderly: Yes yes no doubt...
Alf the Helper: :) really why that's just excellent
Elderly: I'm glad your happy, now you won't feel half so bad without your wages
Alf the Helper: :) ...? !..wait... hold on... mr. elderly.. what did you say about my wages... mr.elderly
