Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

 PC
User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1215 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 614 out of 1215
  2. Mixed: 345 out of 1215
  3. Negative: 256 out of 1215
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. LP68CA
    Feb 11, 2012
    8
    Reckoning is a good action RPG, with solid combat, great animation and spell effects, a unique game world, and colorful art palette. The class, skill and ability system is deep and rewarding. Quests are engaging, and there is plenty of content to get lost in. In no way does it deserve a score less than 7 by any objective reviewer. These reviews in the 0-3 range are pure troll bait. Don'tReckoning is a good action RPG, with solid combat, great animation and spell effects, a unique game world, and colorful art palette. The class, skill and ability system is deep and rewarding. Quests are engaging, and there is plenty of content to get lost in. In no way does it deserve a score less than 7 by any objective reviewer. These reviews in the 0-3 range are pure troll bait. Don't let the haters put you off the vibrant world of Amalur.… Expand
  2. yum
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    The best rpg i've played since i started playing rpgs with breath of fire 2.
    Huge! open world.Amazing gameplay. Intense graphic style.
    The best thing is the feeling to be able to play whichever way you want - you can literally customize your gameplay experience decisively at any point in the game and the game rewards you for it. KoA is unlike anything else i've played able to convey this    The best rpg i've played since i started playing rpgs with breath of fire 2.
    Huge! open world.Amazing gameplay. Intense graphic style.
    The best thing is the feeling to be able to play whichever way you want - you can literally customize your gameplay experience decisively at any point in the game and the game rewards you for it. KoA is unlike anything else i've played able to convey this feeling of freedom    … Expand
  3. barrettkeegan
    Feb 11, 2012
    9
    Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a fantastic game. It is a little rough around the edges in some places (I'm looking at you character models), but the majority of the design is very well done, and the all important fun factor is a 10/10. Unfortunately, for some reason, the PC version of the game has taken a beating from users, and when searching through other reviews, I would encourage youKingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a fantastic game. It is a little rough around the edges in some places (I'm looking at you character models), but the majority of the design is very well done, and the all important fun factor is a 10/10. Unfortunately, for some reason, the PC version of the game has taken a beating from users, and when searching through other reviews, I would encourage you to look critically at them. Complaints like not being able to aim bows are irrelevant. There is an auto-aim system. With that out of the way, feel free to read the rest of this review, which will be more in-depth.

    First, the game runs great. I actually have it installed on a two year old laptop, and I get good performance at all but the very highest possible graphic setting combination. There are some framerate issues where you would expect - high intensity particle effects during combat, and when the you switch from looking mostly at the ground to a more environment intensive "heads-up" view. During my 25 hours of gameplay, I have experienced only one major graphical glitch, which is another plus.

    The game plays very much like an arcade, complete with a very classic combo-oriented fighting style. Each enemy is different, and there are frequent cases where you must adapt how you play in order to prevail. That said, each no play style feels frustratingly pointless. Stealth, Magic, and Might all have their own merits, and are enjoyable to play. You can also combine these fighting styles in any grouping and be sure that it is a workable way to play. If you are ever frustrated and want to restart, you can even reset the skill trees that you can invest in each time you level up. Gameplay is fast paced, dynamic, and responds to what you put in.
    My experience with the Dispelling mechanic is my only real complaint, and even then, I feel that it may be my own ineptitude.

    However, the game is noticeably easy. As the ideal player model who finds normal modes a fair but plausible challenge, I don't have too much problem on hard here. However, if you have played the demo, note that the game is harder in the actual version.

    Graphically, the game is Cartoony and colorful, the graphical aspect at times feels a little cliche. That really isn't a bad thing though, all things considered. The terrain is wonderfully detailed and constructed, feeling varied and exciting. However, character models, while certainly not awful, are severely lacking - particularly your own, who you do have to watch stare mutely at various NPCs during the cutscenes that litter the game. The fighting is great fun to watch, and I must say, the kill cams when you manipulate fate are a treat to see.

    The sound is nice, if unobtrusive. Music is very beautiful and fitting, but relatively sparse. The sound effects are nice as well, blending in well, with no obvious annoying noises sticking out. Where the game sags a little is the voice acting. Most of it is actually very good, but the accents chosen are horrifically corny. All the gnomes have that terrible Olde British sound that has been an RPG staple for years. The thing is, that sound has worn off by now, and many other voices fall prey to the same trap.

    The menus are a little clunky on the PC, and having seen some console gameplay, it is clear that the game was designed with consoles in mind, with their button mapping being much cleaner. You CAN rebind keys on the PC at least, which is a plus.

    Now for the story. This is something you will have to decide yourself. I personally enjoy it, although it doesn't live up to something like Deus Ex: Human Revolution. However, I do not believe there is any way someone could legitimately call it inept, or terrible. Either way, the thing to take away is that the story is not what drives the game, and if you like it, hey! Bonus points!

    The nice thing about Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is that it is huge. You could probably spend 200 hours on this game without repeating yourself if you were thorough, and the main quest alone, while I have not completed it, is shaping up to be at least 50-60 hours long.
    It is technically open world, but the level scaling does mean that certain places are unbelievably dangerous to head into too early on. It also works more like separate map chunks linked by thin passages, but if you were to take away the maps of the game, nobody would notice the difference. I would have liked to see more enemy variety though. Each area seems to have two or three staple enemies, which sometimes gets a little old.

    The bottom line is, there are several rough spots in Kingoms of Amalur: Reckoning that mar an otherwise incredible game. While it may not be objectively as good as something like Skyrim, it is different enough to certainly warrant your time. The good far outweighs the mediocre in this amazing game from Big Huge studios. I would give it an 8.5 out of ten, but Metacritic requires whole number ratings, and this game is deserving of more than an 8.    … Expand
  4. azizex666
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    This game is pretty amazing despite a few minor flaws.
    for a first release from 38 studios, they did a wonderful job of creating a beautiful world and a very dynamic combat system.
    My verdict as an avid PC gamer, try it!
  5. Narria
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    I have attempted to play many single player RPGs (I am an avid MMO player) and none has ever captured my interest or held my attention like Reckoning has. I am continually excited to see what's around the next corner. The beauty of the game is just breathtaking and I find myself easy distracted by just looking at everything. I love love love the story and am always looking forward toI have attempted to play many single player RPGs (I am an avid MMO player) and none has ever captured my interest or held my attention like Reckoning has. I am continually excited to see what's around the next corner. The beauty of the game is just breathtaking and I find myself easy distracted by just looking at everything. I love love love the story and am always looking forward to the next step in the journey.… Expand
  6. Gamer950
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    one of the best games I've ever played, my english its no good enought but i will say that this games is amazing, 9.6 for me.


    from Spain
  7. Hannar
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    Amazing quest structure and lore. Engaging and addictive combat. The world is beautifully designed. Controller integration is flawless and helps the game feel fast paced. I'm about 50 hours in right now and absolutely loving the game. Some of the skills are unbalanced and need tweaking, but this is a phenomenal first effort from 38 Studios/Big Huge Games in the Amalur world.
  8. steklok
    Feb 11, 2012
    3
    Do not like it completely, like a Korean MMO, this is a silly cartoon graphics and low-poly model of the environment. This is another shame that it was not worth releasing on the PC.
  9. Honorcrown
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    Gorgeous artwork! And it's super easy to get started...and hooked. I've been playing all night. It's a terrific game to share with family and friends.
  10. stimpack99
    Feb 11, 2012
    9
    Finally an RPG without stupid automated bot controlled mmo'ified COMBAT. I've been waiting for videogames to get back to being games and not movies! This game was made FOR ME. Someone who has been disappointed with the so called "rpgs" of the last 10 years which catered to the reflexless and skill-less masses who only want pretty movies rendered on their consoles and PC's and theFinally an RPG without stupid automated bot controlled mmo'ified COMBAT. I've been waiting for videogames to get back to being games and not movies! This game was made FOR ME. Someone who has been disappointed with the so called "rpgs" of the last 10 years which catered to the reflexless and skill-less masses who only want pretty movies rendered on their consoles and PC's and the gameplay can take a backseat.

    The team behind Kingdoms of Amalur gets what gaming is about - doing things and being in control, not about watching movies. The most important part of the game - the combat, beats most RPG's that have come out over the last 10 years. While KoA (kingdoms of Amalur) is rough around the edges in terms of story and quests, the battle, loot and crafting systems are great and have even more potential in a sequel. I absolutely loved the arena section of the game and being able to have townhouses where you stash your items. If you love videogames you have to buy this game so a sequel gets made to fix the rough edges of this gem in the rough. If the game had more time in development it could have smoothed out the rough edges for story types, but as a videogame it is a must to buy to make sure more actual games get made and not stupid bot driven combat cutting out the gameplay for conveyor-belting you through a story as other RPG's and MMO's have all become over the last 10 years. The combat system makes all other MMO type RPG's look like games for skill-less and reflexless retards. Kingdoms of Amalur gets back to basics for videogames after 10 long years of automated combat.    … Expand
  11. TiredofTrolls
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    Really pathetic to see posters giving a game like this a 0 - 3 because the "weapons degrade". MC needs to weed out the trolls who try to sabotage scores simply because MC allows them to. MC is losing all cred as a reliable site because of these idiots

    to the game: perfect., no, but a helluva lot of fun and a visual feast. combat is a blast. the visuals arenet in the realistic school ala    Really pathetic to see posters giving a game like this a 0 - 3 because the "weapons degrade". MC needs to weed out the trolls who try to sabotage scores simply because MC allows them to. MC is losing all cred as a reliable site because of these idiots

    to the game: perfect., no, but a helluva lot of fun and a visual feast. combat is a blast. the visuals arenet in the realistic school ala Skyrim, but thats different, NOT bad.    … Expand
  12. WoodyPWX
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    I have to say I love this kind of graphics style. That's why I played WoW for several years. But this game surprised me by its combat system and sound/music quality in demo, so I bought it immediately to reward its developer even though I usually wait a bit to pay less. I play a mage on hard mode and it took me more than 5 hours to get to the first village even though I have played theI have to say I love this kind of graphics style. That's why I played WoW for several years. But this game surprised me by its combat system and sound/music quality in demo, so I bought it immediately to reward its developer even though I usually wait a bit to pay less. I play a mage on hard mode and it took me more than 5 hours to get to the first village even though I have played the demo :) Yeah, it takes time to discover all dungeons, secret areas and carefully listen to all the dialogs. Probably thanks to the demo progress, I received some equipment to the game chest, but i don't want to use it as it would make the game play much easier. It's hard to trash "epics" though :D There are some minor issues, like camera view blocked by the player itself, narrow FOV, UI could be better on PC etc. but nothing serious. I had also a problem with Origin account access as I bought the game on Steam, but that has been immediately solved by EA support.… Expand
  13. trollkiller
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    This game may not be as complete a world as Skyrim, but it is truly fun. MC really shoulod set some standards so intellectually challenged 5 year old trolls could be screened out...you know, the ones who love to slant scores by giving a 1 or 2 because, say, "the armor deteriorates"
  14. Gorzil
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    I started out giving this game an 8 because of a few little things that bothered me such as camera and dialog style, but i soon got used to them and the more i play the more i am amazed, this game is absolutely incredible!
    If you enjoyed Fable, or Darksiders, if you like any action adventure and RPG, this game is gonna rock your world, loving it more by the hour, it's insane how much there    I started out giving this game an 8 because of a few little things that bothered me such as camera and dialog style, but i soon got used to them and the more i play the more i am amazed, this game is absolutely incredible!
    If you enjoyed Fable, or Darksiders, if you like any action adventure and RPG, this game is gonna rock your world, loving it more by the hour, it's insane how much there is to it, you never stop discovering, a must have! you will adore it! 9.5/10    … Expand
  15. Buttonman
    Feb 11, 2012
    0
    Very disappointed with Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, I played the demo and did not like the camera angles at all, the camera is way too close to your character with no option to move it further back. However on 38 Studios forums the actual developers said (following lots of negative feedback about the camera) that they had addressed this and in the finished game you would, amongstVery disappointed with Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, I played the demo and did not like the camera angles at all, the camera is way too close to your character with no option to move it further back. However on 38 Studios forums the actual developers said (following lots of negative feedback about the camera) that they had addressed this and in the finished game you would, amongst several fixes to the camera, be able to scroll the camera back for a better view. I don't know what the supposed fixes were, but I appear to have been lied to, as I can see no difference between the camera problems in the demo and in the half-finished game that has been released. The camera is still very dodgy and far too close most of the time in combat. Also I feel that this game is one of the classic examples of style over substance, get a big name linked to the project, do some flashy trailers prior to release, do a demo and say the bad things in the demo will be fixed at release and away you go. This game actually has nice looking combat animations but that is about all it has going for it on the PC, it has an awful console ported user interface for PC, it isn't actually an open world (that's an outright lie imho), the story is very average as are the quests, the crafting system is pointless (the items that drop all the time are far better than what you can craft and spending points on crafting means you are not spending them on combat abilities so you gimp yourself). Oh and as usual, the games studio monkeys are giving it automatic 10/10 reviews which is just laughable not to mention the critic reviews should just hang their heads in shame at the unrealistically high review scores they have given it.… Expand
  16. eoloperfido
    Feb 11, 2012
    9
    Really a great game. I've been playing it for 3 hours and enjoyed it a lot. The game is very Flexible and the action combat system is exciting and really working here... This year was a lucky one for PC Rpg fans. Skyrin, Witcher 2 and now KOA. Going back to play...
  17. reyhan12
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    I believe media outlets have bloated the game's overall rating. KoA is definitely a game worth playing. It's fun, fast paced, button mashing action is definitely enjoyable.The gameplay is fun but it's definitely not new. You have Gods of War, Devil May Cry and Fable that just about has the same feel for the gameplay.

    One other thing that reviewers have been praising is KoA's polish. Sure    I believe media outlets have bloated the game's overall rating. KoA is definitely a game worth playing. It's fun, fast paced, button mashing action is definitely enjoyable.The gameplay is fun but it's definitely not new. You have Gods of War, Devil May Cry and Fable that just about has the same feel for the gameplay.

    One other thing that reviewers have been praising is KoA's polish. Sure there's not many bugs but for me this is a minor nuisance yet I believe reviewers have given much weight into this.    … Expand
  18. MercilessMonkey
    Feb 10, 2012
    9
    Cons: Skill trees are somewhat wonky, kind of small and restrict the choices in a strange way if you're playing a hybrid class. Camera zoom is awfully strange sometimes. However ,those are the only two real problems I have with this game so far in the many, many hours I've played in the past week.

    Pros: Some of the most fun combat I've ever played in an RPG; it flows extremely well, and    Cons: Skill trees are somewhat wonky, kind of small and restrict the choices in a strange way if you're playing a hybrid class. Camera zoom is awfully strange sometimes. However ,those are the only two real problems I have with this game so far in the many, many hours I've played in the past week.

    Pros: Some of the most fun combat I've ever played in an RPG; it flows extremely well, and has a ton of depth. My big gripe with a lot of other games is how clunky and/or boring the combat is. KoA has none of these problems and the combat alone would make it worth playing. However, almost everything else about it is also excellent. The writing is very well done. I'm finding myself quite wrapped up in the universe and on a lot of the main quest lines. There's a lot to it and it's fairly complex, but if you spend time talking to the important NPCs there's a ton to get out of it. The loot system is very well done, everything feels very unique and crafting is quite satisfying. I actually like the graphics even though some people seem to have a problem with them. They certainly aren't realistic, but I think they go well with the type of game it is. The environments and enemies all look great so long as you're not looking for gritty realism. Overall, this game has very few flaws, and they're minor ones at that. It's very unique in the genre, and I highly recommend that everyone play it.    … Expand
  19. InnerWarChild
    Feb 10, 2012
    8
    The dev team for Amalur get a decent amount of kudos from me for this title. There is a lot of work put into this game and most of it really does come off quite well. It's not god's gift to RPG's, so I do think anyone giving this game a 10 is a bit crazy (or maybe this is their first game played in their life). No, it's not a life changing experience (at least when you play it while notThe dev team for Amalur get a decent amount of kudos from me for this title. There is a lot of work put into this game and most of it really does come off quite well. It's not god's gift to RPG's, so I do think anyone giving this game a 10 is a bit crazy (or maybe this is their first game played in their life). No, it's not a life changing experience (at least when you play it while not tripping on mushrooms). But it is definitely worthy of a buy if you like games like God of War and Fable or action-RPG's in general. Trust me the game has some meat to it, though to be honest it's probably NOT worth $60 whopping USD they are charging for the PC version. I don't understand why it's $15 more on the PC when as far as I can tell there is nothing specific to the PC version that would warrant it. I will do this review in a different way than most and list pros and cons an final thoughts

    PROS:

    -Nice art direction care of artist Todd McFarlane
    -Large game world
    -Huge amounts of lore. The game was written to some extent by world renowned fantasy author R.A Salvatore, and the lore comes from his novels as far as I know. Every PC you can talk to has a few dialog options to speak about to fill you in a bit deeper on the lore if you care about it.
    -Fun "God ofWar" like combat
    -Bajillion sidequests -Fully voiced NPC's
    -Armor/weaponcrafting, alchemy, gemcrafting
    -Just a good solid RPG. CONS:

    -Your character has no voice - Some people don't mind this, but I prefer my protagonist to have a voice of his own. It is just one more thing that adds character and charm. -NPC's are too stiff during dialog- In games like Mass Effect 2, the characters really feel like they are "there". Here, everything is very wooden, and I'd like to see the next game in the series do more with the "acting". -Graphical texture pop in is very annoying and no way to fix it on the PC since it is hard coded into he game cross platform. This was done to make developing for the PS3 easier and so they could launch all platforms at the same time. To me it's very annoying and my eyes are constantly being drawn to these graphical anomalies because they just pop in so close to the character and they are therefore distracting to my game experience. -No worthwhile camera control - The camera is in my and many other players' opinions way to close to the character and there is no way to move it back. They give you an over the shoulder option (think Dead Space) but it's pointless and I don't know why anyone would use it to be honest. In a game like this you need to be able to see all sides of you. -Some claim the game is "too easy" even on Hard mode. -Some of the skills in the skill-trees can be rather "meh", but to get the highest tier abilities, you are forced to take them making some levels seem like a waste.
    -No autorun key (Trust me you will wish for one, though on the official forums someone linked a tool that you can run while playing the game where you can set an autorun key)
    -No real easy way to scroll through abilities making it hard to use them in the heat of battle (PC version, I don't know how it is on the consoles) though the program mentioned above allows you to also scroll through them with the mousewheel if you choose. -No real use for gold. I have currently $500,000 and I barely buy anything. There's definitely items that I could buy that will be an upgrade to my equipment, but since I maxed out smithing, I keep waiting to find the "Master" parts to craft top grade items. So in essence I'm running through the game with a slight handicap, but I've invested in alchemy so I pop potions galore to keep me alive. I would like to feel like i NEED to buy these items and do something with this gold though. THOUGHTS:

    I don't understand how some people are hating on this game. In my opinion these people are very jaded gamers that have seen it all by now and expect games being released now to change their life or something. None of the cons written above even when all combined are enough to stop me from playing and enjoying this game. I like the combat, I want to see what is next in the story, I like the loot hunting, the world looks nice, the story is very competent, and I really don't know what else in this era of gaming an RPG can offer besides that sort of gameplay. I highly suggest you purchase it at some point and show EA that giving a new game franchise a shot is a lucrative investment, or else all we may see is the same old same old. I really want to see what these guys do in a second installment because I think it will be what the Witcher 2 was to its predecessor.    … Expand
  20. Snelling
    Feb 10, 2012
    10
    I have to say this is the game I have been waiting for. It has been a long time since I've played a single player RPG that has held my attention for longer than 10 hours. I'm 30 hours into the game with no sign of slowing down (still in the first area since I'm a bit of a completionist). The combat is much more in depth than I originally thought when I first played the game. It seemsI have to say this is the game I have been waiting for. It has been a long time since I've played a single player RPG that has held my attention for longer than 10 hours. I'm 30 hours into the game with no sign of slowing down (still in the first area since I'm a bit of a completionist). The combat is much more in depth than I originally thought when I first played the game. It seems as if layer upon layer is added to combat the deeper that you get into the game. I wonder if anyone else has noticed that most the negative reviews are first time users or douches who don't have a review higher than a 3 in their review history.… Expand
  21. ErebusMaligan
    Feb 10, 2012
    5
    After playing 15 hours, i'm struggling to try and get my money's worth. The game isn't terrible... it just isn't very engrossing. And on the whole there is more negative than positive.

    Pros: -Talent trees are decent enough, and the ability to respec everything totally for a cost is a nice addition more games should have. -Combat is smooth and any individual confrontation is    After playing 15 hours, i'm struggling to try and get my money's worth. The game isn't terrible... it just isn't very engrossing. And on the whole there is more negative than positive.

    Pros: -Talent trees are decent enough, and the ability to respec everything totally for a cost is a nice addition more games should have. -Combat is smooth and any individual confrontation is enjoyable enough, if not a bit hack n' slash/console oriented. I had no problems with the camera as others have stated, but i wouldn't mind it back a little bit. -Seems to be plenty to do, and plenty of areas to go to -Plenty of loot, and i'm sure plenty of fun combinations of play when combined with the talent trees.

    Cons: -Repetitive... extremely repetitive quests, that never feel rewarding in any way. Half the time i don't even really know what or why i'm doing it, i just go wherever the dot is, because the dialog is extremely uninteresting. -It's just one long hack and slash game with no particularly engaging story. -Everything is incredibly generic or cliched. You are a hero with some ability nobody else has, with a lost memory who was resurrected.... -Extremely easy. While the combat looks cool and engaging, it's basically a series of hitting one button and pausing. Even with the difficulty on hard, it is 0 challenge to take on groups of 6-7 guys. I've only run into a few minibosses so far, but they were both easily beaten too. -Interface is cumbersome. The interface to view anything or change your inventory, is just way too much click around. It's not gamebreaking or anything, but every time i have to check on a new item it just takes way too long and gets in the way. It's like navigating a business application menu structure, not a game. -Graphics. Uninspired, very WoWish. As an avid wow player for the last 6 years, it's not a gamebreaker for me, but i never really cared for wow's graphics style either. The distance where objects pop up is beyond awful... you will regularly see things pop into view or higher texture only a few feet in front of you. There is also no way to adjust this or other common graphics settings that most games have had for the last 7 years...


    Any of the cons individually are not a deal breaker, and could be ignored, but taken as a whole, it's just not that entertaining. The demo is pretty much what you get in the full game, it never really becomes MORE than that.

    Just as a strict measure of entertainment per hour, WoW on average costs me about $0.1 per hour of entertainment monthly. Skyrim (which also had numerous flaws) I got about 287 hours out of before i called it quits, which equates to about $0.22 per hour. This game... i'm going to struggle to get 20-25 hours out of. That equates to about $3 per hour. So it's about a 14x worse investment than skyrim. Do the math, do yourself a favor, and at least wait until this is on a major sale if you are thinking about getting it.    … Expand
  22. whitespider999
    Feb 10, 2012
    8
    I am tired of people constantly saying the media are corrupt as a whole. It's a reductive statement that is immature. It's become a unfortunate trend.
    Anyway --- The actual game in question. This does not have the weight or depth of the elder scrolls (as well as no modding/pc graphical features) - however it gets a lot right. What it takes from fable/world of warcraft/skyrim/oblivion - are    I am tired of people constantly saying the media are corrupt as a whole. It's a reductive statement that is immature. It's become a unfortunate trend.
    Anyway --- The actual game in question. This does not have the weight or depth of the elder scrolls (as well as no modding/pc graphical features) - however it gets a lot right. What it takes from fable/world of warcraft/skyrim/oblivion - are solid elements. It puts them together in it's own way - and gives you a semi open world with random rewarding loot, and a exceptional combat system. My major issue is the side quests, which resemble a mmo. Fetch x, Kill x, Collect x, Goto x and Repeat. And while this is a problem, you can actually happily grind away in this game for a while doing these quests, because of the loot and combat being so rewarding. As for the faction quests/Main quest. They are of a far higher standard, and should be what you do when you get tired of the side stuff. Switch it up and you will have a fun time. Solid game. And serves as a great "break from skyrim" game. If open world rpg's are your genre of choice.    … Expand
  23. Footstick
    Feb 10, 2012
    10
    From the first time you set foot in Amalur, you will see that 38 Studios has created an immersive and wonderful fantasy RPG that will appeal to many. The world of Reckoning is vast and sometimes might overwhelm players with the mass amount of things to do. The graphics are stunning, the voice acting is great and the combat system is very fluid and feels natural.

    Overall a must buy for RPG    From the first time you set foot in Amalur, you will see that 38 Studios has created an immersive and wonderful fantasy RPG that will appeal to many. The world of Reckoning is vast and sometimes might overwhelm players with the mass amount of things to do. The graphics are stunning, the voice acting is great and the combat system is very fluid and feels natural.

    Overall a must buy for RPG fans even though the mix reviews. Skyrim, WoW, God of War...etc, this game can stand on its own and will be played for time and time again.    … Expand
  24. gun661
    Feb 10, 2012
    5
    Having played around 12 hours, although the first couple were promising much, I've put the game down:

    The story, the main quests, while in small parts entertaining (e.g. House of Ballads quest line), just feels like dry dialogues prompted by keywords, no real heartfelt interaction. Almost all of the mysteriously named threats and villains (e.g. "Maybe it was The Willow, stories of which    Having played around 12 hours, although the first couple were promising much, I've put the game down:

    The story, the main quests, while in small parts entertaining (e.g. House of Ballads quest line), just feels like dry dialogues prompted by keywords, no real heartfelt interaction. Almost all of the mysteriously named threats and villains (e.g. "Maybe it was The Willow, stories of which were read to scare children since decades...") turn out to be your standard character models with nothing interesting to say.

    The side quests, making the greatest part of the game, are just "terrible trivia", urging you to run / fast travel all over the world map again and again, with no really convincing motive: Just collecting letters and books and punching small mobs in really many similar caves: for HOURS and HOURS without any end. Which leads us to the gameplay:

    While running around you actually don't face so many enemies, often just small mobs. That means it doesn't really feel like an action game, more like a "running-around" game.
    The combat seems to regrettably follow the motto "make the first 5 minutes fun and then repeat the gameplay". Because repeat it does. Over and over again. Even with switching your "destinies", i.e. playstyles between rogue, wizard and fighter (you can watch all of their moves from the beginning), it somehow stays the same without much evolution: It's almost always the same SMALL MOBS you encounter and easily cut down with the same combos. Better designed encounters, scenarios, and grouping of enemies REALLY could have helped the game to be WAY MORE fun in combat, delivering something unexpected at least. Especially because something like this missing, just "planting 5 mobs here and there", the game feels like it was done without any love for detail or any real affection from the developers.

    And yes, also the loot can almost always be *expected*: Mostly random junk. Even the few nice looking unique items I got (3 to 4 pieces) while playing just drowned in the mountains of frustrating garbage loot. "Oh, there's a hidden entrance with a chest that's locked very hard...." And what's inside? Nothing! A gem and a health potion. Time and time again. Frustrating. And even the unique items follow the same stats-design you get to know in the first hour (+x%damage to lightning/fire/ice), nothing unexpected except the looks, making the gameplay even more repetitive.

    In summary I'd say KoA:R, although almost aiming for the right spots, felt like a production-pipeline game in the end. I left the (in my humbled opinion) very repetitive game with the feeling that it just stole some precious hours without giving anything back. The professional reviews seem to hype more than being reasonable.    … Expand
  25. Gixxerdude
    Feb 10, 2012
    9
    I have to say, i am having a great time with the game. Much more fun than the demo let on. I know people have complaints about the console version and not being able to map more than 4 abilities, but that issue is not present on the PC version when using mouse and keyboard. The combat and graphics and sound are hugely impressive, I find I can not wait until I can engage the next large mobI have to say, i am having a great time with the game. Much more fun than the demo let on. I know people have complaints about the console version and not being able to map more than 4 abilities, but that issue is not present on the PC version when using mouse and keyboard. The combat and graphics and sound are hugely impressive, I find I can not wait until I can engage the next large mob as I have so much freedom in the tactics of how i want to take them down. Drop a mine and pull a guy over it? Leap in and just start hacking and slashing, or just sneak in for the insta kill, all very easy to do, nothing cumbersome to deal with. All the dungeons are unique and interesting. The story is great, the only downside is there seems to be an almost unlimited amount of side quests and if you are like me and want to finish them all, you will lose track of the reason why you are here in the first place lol. I have about 18 hours in and have yet to find any glitches/crashes/problems, which compared to some of the recent launches of games speaks very highly of this games level of polish. I am enjoying the games difficult, as i have never been a potion spammer. At most I drink one before a fight for some sort of buff and than one during the fight. This causes most big battles to become very challenging and tense which just adds to the enjoyment. Pros:
    Beautiful graphics
    Great sounds
    Outstanding Combat
    Great flexibility in builds
    Enjoyable quests
    Constantly has me excited for the next big battle

    Cons
    UI/Inventory is kinda clunky
    Soo many sidequest you lose tack of the main objective
    Not being able to jump/drop off little ledges is weird for a 2012 game
    No mulitplayer/coop (also weird for a 2012 game)    … Expand
  26. Artoflameness
    Feb 10, 2012
    4
    The review sites have failed again, big time. Corruption runs amok..
    Another worrying trend is that the first (few) poster(s) in the user reviews section on any game are from the marketing department of given game. At the moment the game is available to the public, they already know that the game is polished, contains X hours of gameplay, it delivers, etc.. And of course 10/10..
    This is    The review sites have failed again, big time. Corruption runs amok..
    Another worrying trend is that the first (few) poster(s) in the user reviews section on any game are from the marketing department of given game. At the moment the game is available to the public, they already know that the game is polished, contains X hours of gameplay, it delivers, etc.. And of course 10/10..
    This is absurd.
    Fortunately they can't offset the user score too much. I am grateful for this, thank you metacritic for your site and system.

    About the game:
    Pros: Somewhat solid combat system, more than average content, stable-polished engine -> no bugs.
    Cons: Generic world, bad and boring story, low level of immersion, horrible camera placement, outdated graphics, console-port feeling (GUI and controls)

    The game plays and feels more like Diablo, than a traditional RPG. Some people may like this, some may not.
    The main problem with the game is the disparity between graphic style vs story. The game tells us a dark and epic story , but tries to do this with a cartoon-ish, funny style. (in fable the story was in harmony with the graphic style).

    (sorry for my bad English)    … Expand
  27. warprincenataku
    Feb 10, 2012
    8
    Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a new IP from EA and with any new IP there are many risks. Like is the new world and lore rich enough? Are the game mechanics and story deep enough? Are people willing to risk buying a full priced game from the start?

    Most of these are answered with a resounding, yes! This game have sweeping visuals and a compelling story. Sure, most fantasy genre games    Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a new IP from EA and with any new IP there are many risks. Like is the new world and lore rich enough? Are the game mechanics and story deep enough? Are people willing to risk buying a full priced game from the start?

    Most of these are answered with a resounding, yes! This game have sweeping visuals and a compelling story. Sure, most fantasy genre games may have some overlapping content such as elves, swords and magic, but it's how these familiar elements are portrayed that sets it apart from other games in the fantasy genre.

    First the bad. The game has mixed reviews on its visuals. The game is full of rich and vibrant areas with almost cartoonish characters. It is not Dragon Age and does not try to be. It's more along the lines of Fable, with exaggerated hands and feet, but that's ok as everything is balanced to fit that particular style. The animations are fluid, the world is rich with various flora and fauna and is beautiful. It's a different kind of beauty than can be appreciated from even the most high graphic demanding players.

    The fight mechanics are quite solid and playing a melee, ranged, magic or a mixture of them all is quite fun. I really felt powerful as a spellsword, a custom built class built around melee and magic. Launching a lightning blast only to run in and clean up with your sword is quite rewarding. Your special attacks and abilities are on timers keeping you from spamming your most powerful of attacks. The combat is fluid and makes use of a solid collision detection system. Attack animations and spells can be interrupted, so combat feels more dynamic resulting in the need to plan your attacks accordingly.

    I hear a lot of people complain about the bow mechanics in this game. I barely used the bow as my character is geared towards magic, but I can't imagine it's that complex. The combat uses an auto targeting system, so I can see the disadvantages of using a bow, but it's not much difference than using spells since they use a similar system. Rounding off combat are finishing moves which give you a boost of XP for randomly mashing a button when an animation is triggered. These moves end in a God of War style executioner such as jumping up and driving swords down through your target's head or body. The animations are canned and there are only a few for standard enemies and only one for larger enemies, but they haven't gotten old yet.

    The story is written by R. A. Salvatore, who I'm not quite familiar with and the visuals are designed by Todd McFarlane who I am familiar with. I don't know if I'm missing anything having these two names thrown around, but for me it's a big "so what"? Todd McFarlane designed the visuals you say? Great! Couldn't care less. I mean you could have told me Bill Cosby designed the visuals and I would have been just as apathetic.

    The story is standard fantasy fair. You are a resurrected soldier of one of four playable races and three skill classes and you are fated to save the world. After your resurrection the machine that brought you back was destroyed, so you are the only one of your kind and it's up to you to make what is... *falls asleep* Yeah, the story is there to take you through the world. It's there, it's written by R. A. Salvatore and it's nice.

    All in all, visuals are similar to Fable. Gameplay is similar to Fable and God of War. Story is standard. In closing, this is the game that Fable should have been.    … Expand
  28. sh4dow
    Feb 9, 2012
    5
    A lot of what the more critical reviews say is true. I gave this a chance because I am disappointed of Skyrim and I am not yet desiring a second Witcher 2 playthrough, even though that was awesome. Personally, I am fine with the story of the game (which a LOT of people seem to criticize the most). But unfortunately, first of all - the game really does look like an MMO. Anybody claiming itA lot of what the more critical reviews say is true. I gave this a chance because I am disappointed of Skyrim and I am not yet desiring a second Witcher 2 playthrough, even though that was awesome. Personally, I am fine with the story of the game (which a LOT of people seem to criticize the most). But unfortunately, first of all - the game really does look like an MMO. Anybody claiming it looks gorgeous clearly has not played any newly released games for five years. Secondly - the camera really is awful. And I mean AWFUL! It is incredibly close, cannot be adjusted and when you run to the side it even lags behind a bit. At least with a gamepad, the bow is especially useless because if you want to "aim" (there appears to be only auto lock-on - so "aiming" is just switching between targets), you have to use the right stick. Now try keeping X/Y pressed while moving the right stick. And then there is the cumbersome inventory management... which anyone can realize by just briefly looking at a gameplay video. Personally, I wouldn't even care so much that it looks like crap and that the bow seems a bit broken. I almost only use swords in RPGs anyway. And the fighting system does look like fun. I appreciate the combo-style fighting system embedded in a loot-heavy fantasy RPG. It's new and interesting and it would work for me. The way the weapons are drawn immediately and blocking reacts very rapidly makes for a very pleasurable fighting experience. Only the response of the dodge button seemed a bit hit and miss. AND one can save at any point!! After experiencing games like Metro 2033, Alice: Madness Returns, Batman: Arkham City, etc., I don't take that for granted any more. Yes, it's an RPG but... it IS very action-focused and the madness that is quicksave-only seems to take over every damn genre. But what I really can't ignore, no matter what intriguing aspects the game may have is that damn camera. I remember Sonic Adventures (yes, a console jump'n'run...) like it was yesterday... and people were **** all over about how crappy the camera was. I didn't think so. It wasn't the best but it was very playable. And I have seen worse since. But Kingdoms of Amalur beats ALL of them, it is THAT crappy! Maybe they'll patch it (ha!) and I'll end up at some day enjoying this game as I should (without the **** camera, if the whole story and quests and everything would be nice, I would probably bump it up to 7 or even 8)… Expand
  29. Lettucent
    Feb 9, 2012
    3
    Pros: Interesting combat, interesting art style, flexible character progression
    Cons: Story, despite being R.A. Salvatore, is devoid of soul, lacks any means of drawing you in, characters are quite generic, minor flaws
    Combat is fun, but I found the controls to be a bit odd, character randomly doesn't aim spells, doesn't attack the opponent you're moving toward. Having only one button to    Pros: Interesting combat, interesting art style, flexible character progression
    Cons: Story, despite being R.A. Salvatore, is devoid of soul, lacks any means of drawing you in, characters are quite generic, minor flaws

    Combat is fun, but I found the controls to be a bit odd, character randomly doesn't aim spells, doesn't attack the opponent you're moving toward. Having only one button to cast a spell makes combining abilities more of a challenge than it should be. Early combat is a gigantic click fest, and after gaining your first spells/moves it gets a teensy bit more interesting, but still an auto-targeted click fest.

    The art style features an all-buff male cast. Seriously, even if you want to be an elf ranger, you're going to have a wide frame and big burly muscles. I will give the game credit for female armor, as I didn't find anything terribly revealing during my play. The modeling is definitely very last-gen, and reminds me of a slightly higher polycount Fable.

    Verdict? Not anywhere near worth the launch price of $60. Skyrim was only $50 and packed with better narrative. R.A. Salvatore disappointed me greatly with this game, as I had greatly enjoyed many of his books. I pick up the game, play for ten minutes, realize I'm in a very bland and boring world, then quit. I would not want to drag myself through 25-30 hours of    … Expand
  30. FloorTank
    Feb 9, 2012
    10
    Really liking this game. It has a cartoony style such as in WoW mixed with a nice engine and feel ala Sykrim. The combat feels fast paced but not too complicated. Story may lack or not, but that is up to everyone else. Don't be upset.
  31. aretreble
    Feb 9, 2012
    10
    I have not played this game, but I'm pretty sickened by the number of obvious trolls down voting this game just by reading positive reviews. In fact I made this account only to comment on this. I briefly went through the user reviews and found numerous trolls giving this game a poor review even though they've never played it! Granted some of these are certainly intelligent people, butI have not played this game, but I'm pretty sickened by the number of obvious trolls down voting this game just by reading positive reviews. In fact I made this account only to comment on this. I briefly went through the user reviews and found numerous trolls giving this game a poor review even though they've never played it! Granted some of these are certainly intelligent people, but many of these reviews read like they came out of a close-minded conspiracy theorist. Anyway, I thought I'd give it a 10 to offset the bad reviews from others who haven't played it.… Expand
  32. misik95
    Feb 9, 2012
    10
    This is amazing. I think that is a right RPG what game world need. Reckoning is more better than the bug ridiculous game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The Fight system is perfect and I have not god words about fabulous graphics. Sometimes a camera is bad but Who cares. You should try it !
  33. cmoyano
    Feb 9, 2012
    10
    hahaha, not as good as skyrim? are you people serious? this is miles ahead of that boring, lame, atrocious looking game. Skyrim is all the same. You see the same crap over and over again, fast travel, take a quest, go to dungeon, beat it, go back and it all culminates in an insanely boring lame conversation with an npc. Amalur has great combat, fxaa injector makes it look gorgeous onhahaha, not as good as skyrim? are you people serious? this is miles ahead of that boring, lame, atrocious looking game. Skyrim is all the same. You see the same crap over and over again, fast travel, take a quest, go to dungeon, beat it, go back and it all culminates in an insanely boring lame conversation with an npc. Amalur has great combat, fxaa injector makes it look gorgeous on pc, the story is good, not boring and the loot is very good. It actually makes you want to look for armor to wear, something that skyrim didnt have cause all of its armor is so bad. Graphics are good and its very well optimized with a full smooth 60 fps at all times. Amalur is a much better game than skyrim in almost every single way. Now back to playing… Expand
  34. Q8eZy
    Feb 9, 2012
    3
    Zero challenge.

    There are three settings--easy, easier, and stupid easy. There is no skill requirement or learning curve worth mentioning. Yes I know there has to be the handholding and stupid-easy settings to prevent ragequiting. But it seems that some newer games are removing all the difficulty from their games, even on the hardest setting. I have a theory that this is because    Zero challenge.

    There are three settings--easy, easier, and stupid easy. There is no skill requirement or learning curve worth mentioning. Yes I know there has to be the handholding and stupid-easy settings to prevent ragequiting. But it seems that some newer games are removing all the difficulty from their games, even on the hardest setting. I have a theory that this is because people who see themselves as hardcore gamerz always put their games on the hardest setting; and if that setting actually is hard, then they ragequit and start badmouthing the game. That's what Bioshock: Infinite's lead dev said when he was asked why B:I's hardest setting was going to be completely hidden from users and only available to those who know how to access it through a secret button press combination.

    There are 12 different kinds of basic enemies, a few mini bosses, and an unintentionally hilarious end boss fight. Which you will go through like butter. Even though I powergamed through the main quest only thereby avoiding becoming even more powerful through sidequestting, the exp and loot came so fast I never needed tactical or finesse play, and I never felt any tension or satisfaction from finishing a quest or boss fight.

    I guess if you like a true button masher and gameplay that feels like you've turned on god mode, then Amalur's your game.    … Expand
  35. Bossner
    Feb 9, 2012
    10
    As advertised from the very beginning, Reckoning is indeed a "guided" open world game. The combat is a breath of fresh air, combining elements of hack n' slash and action games residing over a sturdy and deep traditional RPG stat system that's sure to give you the satisfaction of both a standard RPG spreadsheet character along with the awesome combat of something similar to God of War.As advertised from the very beginning, Reckoning is indeed a "guided" open world game. The combat is a breath of fresh air, combining elements of hack n' slash and action games residing over a sturdy and deep traditional RPG stat system that's sure to give you the satisfaction of both a standard RPG spreadsheet character along with the awesome combat of something similar to God of War.

    The world is alive and majestic, easily overtaking its peers in terms of immersion and sense of wonder. I'd like to reiterate that the game was never marketed as anything other than "guided open world". Folks who are upset that the game is not nearly as open as Skyrim have simply failed to be good consumers and do proper research into the product they are buying. The voice acting is phenomenal, rivaling some of the best RPGs to date. Although this appears to be an area of contention among reviewers, it's important to note that this is one of the more subjective categories of game review.

    Crafting is surprisingly deep, allowing you to customize your equipment to fit your playstyle rather than your standard spam professions present in World of Warcraft or Skyrim. The graphics are heavily stylized in a comic book fashion. It's no wonder with the likes of Todd McFarlane heading development there.

    The story is rich and unique, playing on several real life political themes as well as your standard fantasy flair. In terms of high fantasy, Reckoning stands apart from your cliche genre, introducing a new type of elf - the Alfar - which are quite different from your Lord of the Rings derivations you might be used to. In addition, many unique creatures call Amalur their home, including Jottun and Boggarts.

    I'd point out that most reviews here seem to be comparing the game directly to Skyrim, which makes me believe that there are more than a few angry TES fanboys who are non-too-happy about having a challenger to the open world throne. Unfortunately, they'll have to learn to deal with it, as Reckoning has finally provided RPG fans with a game that can have elements of other genres (particularly combat), while staying true to long-standing RPG conventions running behind the scenes, such as stats.

    I'd've given Reckoning a 10 but it is not without faults. The camera leaves a bit to be desired, and there could be a few more graphics options on PC.    … Expand
  36. SpectralAnubis
    Feb 9, 2012
    8
    I wont attempt to lure you in with a wild premise. Is this RPG good? Yes it is. Is it a 3rd person Hack n' Slash? Yes it is. Is there something wrong with that? No there's not. With Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. You'll get what you bought or expect, whichever perspective you fancy. When approaching computer games, you really need to ask yourself three or four questions. 1) Is it worthI wont attempt to lure you in with a wild premise. Is this RPG good? Yes it is. Is it a 3rd person Hack n' Slash? Yes it is. Is there something wrong with that? No there's not. With Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. You'll get what you bought or expect, whichever perspective you fancy. When approaching computer games, you really need to ask yourself three or four questions. 1) Is it worth sixty dollars? 2) Will it function optimally on my configuration? 3) Am I going to enjoy it? These are typically what a customer will process. Now I give a lot of credit to EA, Big Huge Games and 38 studios. They delivered a rather solid demo three weeks in advance. The demo was short but gave you a excellent idea of the games core. Demo's are incredibly risky, for obvious reasons. Why many companies shy away from them. Down to the elements of Reckoning, which at it's very heart are the game mechanics. They're solid, you're locked into a 3rd person view point. The camera is only controlled by swivels of your mouse. It will automatically zoom out during multiple enemy flanks. Interface is simple and easy to understand. You wont be getting any no-ui like Fable 3. Combat is very simplistic, for me personally overly-so. Divinity II has similar combat, that title was very well done also. My only real issue with combat is ranged attacks lock-on to your target. You'll find yourself either blocking a lot or barrel rolling to victory. Graphics are stylized, they aren't exactly ground breaking. Like I explained earlier, it's all about what you want out of a video game. Performance rather than graphics are a major factor for me. The game runs smoothly on a EVGA Geforce GTS 450 Fermi, it also runs smoothly on a ATI 4670HD both 1gig memory. You'll get anywhere between 40-60 FPS on those cards. I noticed some bugs, first off subtitles are getting stuck, music becomes choppy during developer/publisher intro. NPC's will just stop during combat. It definitely has issues. Patches can be wonderful remedies. Giving it a 8/10 Only because for what it is, not what it can become.… Expand
  37. adler
    Feb 9, 2012
    3
    First of all this isn't an RPG, its Hack&Slash with light RPG elements. Game has rather bad graphics for a game that is released in 2012. Story isn't that great, once again main character with lost memory. I see all people that give 8-10 ratings on this game brag with "best combat and gameplay ever", combat is fast left clicking with mouse until everything around you is dead, if that isFirst of all this isn't an RPG, its Hack&Slash with light RPG elements. Game has rather bad graphics for a game that is released in 2012. Story isn't that great, once again main character with lost memory. I see all people that give 8-10 ratings on this game brag with "best combat and gameplay ever", combat is fast left clicking with mouse until everything around you is dead, if that is best ever they saw in games i don't have anything to say to that except LOL. Oversized lighting weapons, shield that main character holds in his pocket are just laughable, like its made for japanese market. Best way to say about this game is Cursed Crusade with EA logo on it.… Expand
  38. ASams
    Feb 9, 2012
    10
    Ships going to sail, fishermen going to fish and haters going to hate. It makes me sad so many people want to see quality products fail so much to the point that they give great games a 0 because they have to much time on their hands. This game has never claimed it was a paramount in graphics and combat. What it is, is a arcade combat (fantastic btw) action RPG with substantially deepShips going to sail, fishermen going to fish and haters going to hate. It makes me sad so many people want to see quality products fail so much to the point that they give great games a 0 because they have to much time on their hands. This game has never claimed it was a paramount in graphics and combat. What it is, is a arcade combat (fantastic btw) action RPG with substantially deep customization. 3 trees you can drop hundreds of points in a skill tree for field abilities such as open lock, treasure hunting and blacksmithing. People who are hating on this game have either only played the demo (broken but still fantastic) or just hate original IP's and just want to see another Halo, Mario, Final Fantasy or something else that has been left uninspired over the years.… Expand
  39. GottFaust
    Feb 9, 2012
    8
    The first thing I have to mention is that of the, currently, 57 negative reviews only 6 actually bothered to write anything. From my standpoint that means that there are a couple of people using multiple accounts to spam-review this game negatively but they couldn't even bother to copy/paste any form of text for the review itself. As to the game itself you can definitely tell that R. A.The first thing I have to mention is that of the, currently, 57 negative reviews only 6 actually bothered to write anything. From my standpoint that means that there are a couple of people using multiple accounts to spam-review this game negatively but they couldn't even bother to copy/paste any form of text for the review itself. As to the game itself you can definitely tell that R. A. Salvatore had a hand in the creation of the lore and world. The story and voice acting are top-tier. The amount of content is staggering at over 120 hours of side quests alone. I do have two complaints though. The first one is that, while not dated in a technical sense, the graphics appear a bit on the low end due to lower resolution textures, though still better than vanilla Skyrim in a lot of cases, and the cartoony style. My other complaint lies int he fact that the protagonist is silent. I'm of the opinion that this gaming paradigm has run it's course and needs to be done away with. They have all this amazing voice acting and huge amounts of dialog recorded for the NPCs but they couldn't bother to get voice actors for the main character. I understand that this can be a challenge given the fact that there are 4 playable races with 8 possible voices, one for each sex of each race, but I'd have been happy with a single voice actor for each sex applied regardless of the race chosen.… Expand
  40. ItaJohnson
    Feb 9, 2012
    10
    Ok, lets start by slaying a few naysayers real fast..

    Dont complain about "cartoon graphics" if you are THE moron that just bought a game that is HYPED AS using the artistic direction of a "COMIC BOOK ARTIST" it really makes you look stupider than you can possibly be (i also find it kind of amusing that these same idiots complaining about the graphics creamed their jeans over skyrim    Ok, lets start by slaying a few naysayers real fast..

    Dont complain about "cartoon graphics" if you are THE moron that just bought a game that is HYPED AS using the artistic direction of a "COMIC BOOK ARTIST" it really makes you look stupider than you can possibly be (i also find it kind of amusing that these same idiots complaining about the graphics creamed their jeans over skyrim having dx9 recycled fallout textures.. way to go humanity). Dont complain about a game being a console port because it uses a controller, if you own a pc but dont have a controller hooked up to it at this point you are not a pc "gamer" you are just a pc owner who plays games. Lastly dont look at what is essentially a prequel to an orpg that is intended to introduce players to the world, combat system and lore and start complaining about "missing features" because it shows exactly how little you know about the game.

    Onto what they did right... This game is what happens when you pay talented people to get creative and make a game, as opposed to hiring people to make a game. To me it represents a new era in gaming where it will no longer be acceptable to just hire a bunch of wankers with degrees in game design and tell them to "Get creative" because the way they are educated pretty much stamps creativity out of them since they all learn the same material and unless they want to fail (and thus not have a degree) they will answer just like everyone else in said course. The world, characters, and gameplay are all beautiful. Sure there are quests to "go kill things" but what the hell else would you do in a game which is primarily about... you know killing things? Should there be quests to go knit a scarf? ..daft **** you are also supposed to go find things but because that just gives you perks i suppose it doesnt count as a quest, do achievements count as quests because theres those too.. and twists of fate. Even when you think you have a really good understanding of what is going on in the game you realize you are just getting through the outer layer.

    The combat system is AMAZINGLY fun and intuitive, if you dont like the camera angle boo hoo give up on video games because there is no way to make this kind of game where the camera angle will satisfy everyone (do in large part to the number of skill-less players who would just zoom out 100% so they can see everything for 200 yards around them so they dont have to rely too much on their reflexes). If i had to find something wrong with it i would say it is TOO easy and they should implant the ninja gaiden black AI to make the enemies more interesting.

    The story is obviously REALLY good aswell, but then again you wouldnt expect a best selling author to write a turd to base a video game on now would you? Again, the quests make sense! Yes you are the hero, YES you kill things, and YES that is an in demand skill in a world full or monsters and treachery! Personally i think 80% of people who consider themselves gamers are secretly aspiring needlepoint masters which is why they cant get over the quests involving killing things caveat.

    The best thing i would have to say is that Ken Rolston is THRIVING away from bethesda, this world layout is fantastic. While im sure some people would rather it was more "open" im pretty sure it was a design decision to keep the idiots from wandering too far and then complaining about how they wasted 2 hours running only to die. The nice high ceilings indoors and the amount of space you have to work in all fit together really well. Not that anyone needs to tell him but Ken is Da' Man. Even if bethesda had hired 30 migrant workers (instead of the 9 they claim to have used for skyrim) it would still just be a pale imitation of what Ken does.

    Overall this game demands attention from people like bethesda (can they go any further down the **** only time will tell) and bioware (aka. blablabla ware) because it shows that their formulas for making rpg's are dead. We dont HAVE to sit through 72 hours of boring voice acted dialog to know what is going on in a game, nor do we NEED a pseudo FPS control scheme to explore a world. We can have FUN controlling our character and have a sense of urgency in out interactions with NPC's. Finally, if you are playing this game with a keyboard and mouse you are a moron, spend the 30$ and leave the stone ages behind you (or stick to wow). If the game looks like crap to you maybe you need to play on a 47 inch 3D screen so the pixels have some room to breathe. If you were expecting realistic world and character models you are just a dumb ass for not picking up on Todd McFarlane having his name all over this game. The one and only legit reason to hate on this game is that it is published by EA so we have to give them more $ to make all the crap games they make, i bet alot of the fools reviewing this game only played the demo and have no idea what the actual game is like.    … Expand
  41. Jimbob2k666
    Feb 9, 2012
    8
    First off the graphics: Although they may feel a little dated, the most important factor here is that they run very well, with no dipping below 60fps with vysnc turned on and maxxed out. All this on a 4 year old CPU, 4gb RAM and a 6870 GPU. Some people have compared the graphics with WOW - these people must be blinkered or blind, as they are nowhere near as dated as WOW.......... Next,First off the graphics: Although they may feel a little dated, the most important factor here is that they run very well, with no dipping below 60fps with vysnc turned on and maxxed out. All this on a 4 year old CPU, 4gb RAM and a 6870 GPU. Some people have compared the graphics with WOW - these people must be blinkered or blind, as they are nowhere near as dated as WOW.......... Next, the gameplay: The combat is fun, nothing extraordinary but it has enough variety and advancement to make it a well done component of the game. One thing that is evident is the "MMO" style of quest hubs and the way you progress through them, which is actually quite good from what I've seen so far........ Story: Your usual fantasy fare but the underlying main storyline is well executed........ SUMMARY: In a genre filled with some stunning games over the past 12 months or so, KoAR should find its very own core of fans. It is different enough to claim that it has differences which establish itself as a new IP and providing it is given the right support by its developers, it ought to result in success and a sequel. 8/10.......................PRO: Good performance on average PC........ CON: Its biggest fault is it's field of vision - the character, which is 3rd person is too big on the screen and it is often difficult to see the horizon point - this needs fixing quickly as it feels very claustraphobic. (PS: The "pro's" who have given this game 100% must have been locked away in dark cupobards and haven't been playing games for the last 2 years. The game is good, but 100%? No way).… Expand
  42. nirvycn
    Feb 9, 2012
    10
    Excellent fast action combat system i LOVE the combat in this game. GRaphics a bit below par, as is the UI, but the core of this game is the loot and fighting system, both of which are superb.
  43. RodrigoGalliard
    Feb 9, 2012
    10
    Please, remember, the world is FULL OF fanboy, ignorant people. This game has flaws, of course, but the MAIN OBJECTIVE in a game is have fun! I already reviewed this game, but some people has accused us, the people who like the game and gave him a good score, saying we are fakes, or something stupid like that. I'm made this account just for review this game, a lot of people have account,Please, remember, the world is FULL OF fanboy, ignorant people. This game has flaws, of course, but the MAIN OBJECTIVE in a game is have fun! I already reviewed this game, but some people has accused us, the people who like the game and gave him a good score, saying we are fakes, or something stupid like that. I'm made this account just for review this game, a lot of people have account, at least is what i can deduce, just for make bad reviews, so, i decided do something positive, this game deserve a better note, this crap people who are giving to him notes absurdly low, they are just saying empty words. I actually have the game, not just the demo, and believe me, it's way too different, very much more polished.… Expand
  44. Lanrutcon
    Feb 9, 2012
    9
    Fable meets The Elder Scrolls meets Dragon Knight Saga: huge world, open character progression system, giant loot pool and a fluid combat system. Scratches the exploration and loot haul itches at the same time. Amazing game for a new IP.

    The only downer is the difficulty: unless you're new to action rpgs you totally want to play on Hard.
  45. Desdicado
    Feb 8, 2012
    3
    I'm amazed at the 100% "professional" reviews, are they playing the same game? Has money changed hands? I've played RPGs since the late 80s so love them. Unfortunately the game doesn't live up to the hype at all. I really really dislike the cartoony graphics, they look 5 years out of date and the camera is way too close in to you. The quests are repetitive, go here kill that, go thereI'm amazed at the 100% "professional" reviews, are they playing the same game? Has money changed hands? I've played RPGs since the late 80s so love them. Unfortunately the game doesn't live up to the hype at all. I really really dislike the cartoony graphics, they look 5 years out of date and the camera is way too close in to you. The quests are repetitive, go here kill that, go there kill that over and over. The skill trees are ok, but they've been done in similar ways in countless games. The cut scenes are poor, your character just stands there staring of into the distance not reacting. There are no consequences to your actions so it doesnt feel like a living world. Bows are broken, you can't aim. All guards know when you've done something psychically which I hate. You can't jump, even over small things. it's not open, just interlinked blocks of space, the only good thing is the combat which is fun and well executed, but harder on pc than xbox. Lets hope KOAR 2 is way more polished. Oh and the weapons degrade which I don't like either! And it doesn't suck you in like a really good RPG should, waste of money.… Expand
  46. msbungle
    Feb 8, 2012
    3
    I accidently posted this in the PS3 portion when I meant to post it here. So here it is again:
    I really wanted to like this game, but obviously I didn't. Just remember that all reviews are written from a perspective. My perspective is someone who mainly plays MMO's, Sims and Elder Scrolls on the PC. So if you are a pc-gamer such as myself, then this review may have merit - if you hate and    I accidently posted this in the PS3 portion when I meant to post it here. So here it is again:
    I really wanted to like this game, but obviously I didn't. Just remember that all reviews are written from a perspective. My perspective is someone who mainly plays MMO's, Sims and Elder Scrolls on the PC. So if you are a pc-gamer such as myself, then this review may have merit - if you hate and abhor all things PC-gaming, then feel free to ignore the rest of this. Or maybe, as others have said, you have nothing else better to play right now and so this may be good for you too. First, I will say there were a few things I liked. The story seemed okay, the graphics were cartoon-y, but not in what I feel is a bad way. The combat was fast and fluent , but you can still pause the game for pots or to change weapons, etc - just like other solo RPG's. There were quick slots at the bottom of the screen which I really liked - I hate having to hit every button to find the weapon or spell I want in Skyrim. Otherwise, I really felt like they took WoW, Rift, Elder Scrolls and Dragon Age, put them in a blender, and then just created a back story for it. It feels more linear than any Elder Scrolls game and like there is a bit of hand-holding involved - which is what I really disliked. BUT, others may be annoyed by the lack of linearity and back store in ES games. Then this game may be for you. Now, I've read in other places that if I would have just played for 5-7 hours, it becomes more open. I have a few other games I am playing right now that have kept me interested from the beginning so 5-7 hours is unacceptable. And I'm sure there will be the naysayers so let me show you a few comparisons: In KOA you wake up and don't know your history (every elder scrolls game), and then you have to fight your way out of this "dungeon" area (Oblivion) all while being shown the finer points of the game. One of the first things I found after leaving the dungeon and continuing on with the story was a stone alter. When I clicked it, I got a buff (elder scrolls). I'm not sure why so many people care so much about whether this game "beats" Skyrim or not though. It's not like Salvatore or Shilling are going to pay you for kissing their butts and neither is anyone at EA. They will just continue to take your money! If you are on the fence about this game, I would say wait a few months until it goes on sale on Steam and then pick it up.    … Expand
  47. twinki
    Feb 8, 2012
    9
    This game is far better than what i though firstt!
    The combat system is really dynamic and it's lots of fun figuring out different combos and stuff! it might not be as much of an "rpg" as lets say skyrim but the gameplay is IMO miles better. dont know why this got rated this low..
  48. CQCBerzerk
    Feb 8, 2012
    10
    This game is amazing, but sadly all the Skyrim fanboys are flocking to every review site they can to hate on this gem.
    I absolutely LOVE this game. The combat is crisp and satisfying, and does require a lot of skill to fight enemies later in the game. The character customization is superb, and every combination is viable. Rogue Mages can do devastating backstabs,and if that doesn't finish    This game is amazing, but sadly all the Skyrim fanboys are flocking to every review site they can to hate on this gem.
    I absolutely LOVE this game. The combat is crisp and satisfying, and does require a lot of skill to fight enemies later in the game. The character customization is superb, and every combination is viable. Rogue Mages can do devastating backstabs,and if that doesn't finish off your target, you can conjure up a lightning bolt or a meteor to finish them off. Warrior mages can use the mage's support spells to aid themselves in battle. There is a lot of motivation to level up in this game. Each time your character levels, it really makes a large impact on your skillset and playstyle. There are not many abilities in the game, but every point you put in to a tree makes individual spells much stronger, and adds extra strength to them. Many people say that this game's story is nothing compared to Skyrim, and I have no idea what they are talking about. Skyrim was a decent game, but it's story was pretty crappy. I mean, you are supposed to kill zombie dragons so you can learn how to speak dragon. This game's story is a LOT better than learning how to speak dragon. Anyways, I recommend you disregard all the negative reviews and try this game out for yourself.    … Expand
  49. kofelovr
    Feb 8, 2012
    9
    Overall, a solid RPG. I personally prefer a different art style, but that's just a personal preference. The combat is better than most RPG's and, hopefully, they'll be able to make some changes to the camera with future patches.
  50. SongOfFire
    Feb 8, 2012
    9
    Overall this is a great game, I have been looking forward to the KoA: Reckoning's release for about 6 months, and I am certainly not disappointed. Well worth the $$'s I paid to pre-order it.
    Pros: + Compelling story and voice acting + Great graphics + Amazing fighting system + Great multi-class and customization features
    Cons + Movement in the world feels somewhat restrictive +    Overall this is a great game, I have been looking forward to the KoA: Reckoning's release for about 6 months, and I am certainly not disappointed. Well worth the $$'s I paid to pre-order it.
    Pros: + Compelling story and voice acting + Great graphics + Amazing fighting system + Great multi-class and customization features

    Cons + Movement in the world feels somewhat restrictive + Would like to see more graphics options    … Expand
  51. bulreporting
    Feb 8, 2012
    10
    Great visuals, refreshing new combat system that's fun and beautiful to watch, encourages hybrid play styles, story is engaging. No bugs in my experience so far.
  52. Ryften
    Feb 8, 2012
    9
    KoA is probably one of the most underrated games out there. And yes, I realize that it is getting a decent critical reception. However, there are a few things that belies this games true nature. To get some of the cookie cutter things out of the way: it looks great, good engine, it isn't buggy (actually a big feat for a game this large) and the music and voice-acting is decent enough for aKoA is probably one of the most underrated games out there. And yes, I realize that it is getting a decent critical reception. However, there are a few things that belies this games true nature. To get some of the cookie cutter things out of the way: it looks great, good engine, it isn't buggy (actually a big feat for a game this large) and the music and voice-acting is decent enough for a AAA title. Now that being said:

    When the game opens, the character is dropped into a very 'Torment: Planescape"-ish environment. Stranger awakens from death in a strange place, with many more questions than answers. The player must learn the three base play styles (Might, Finesse, Magic) with introductory battles with giant rats, evil humanoids and culminating at the end with a mini-boss that gives the false impression of daunting power. For other RPG vets like myself, you are probably rolling your eyes and thinking, "Great, another cookie-cutter RPG... NEVER seen this formula before." But really 38 Studios only uses this formula here, to teach the new players (and veterans alike) how to play the game in a familiar setting.

    In a world defined by Fate and Fate alone, you are the Fateless. You are declared very early on as being an anomaly in the world. This is a fantastic mechanic. For a multitude of reasons. It gives your character a very protean gameplay personality and especially fans of AAA MMORPGs this is a fun dynamic. Ever respec in WoW? If you know what I am talking about, then you know that it is an integral part of games because it gives the player a wide skill set, making the game more deep and interesting. In KoA players will determine their fate by visiting Fateweavers, who in essence, respec the player's character.

    One moment you are skulking in the shadows, assassinating a high level bandit leader, and the next you are covered in plate mail smashing through a trolls face with a massive hammer. You can also blend the playstyles as well. For fans of the Elder Scrolls series, things like Nightblades (Thief/Mage) and Spellblades (Mage/Warrior) abound. But where the game really shines, is in an area almost all RPG's have fallen short, or in some cases (*cough* Fallout 3 *cough*) fallen flat on their faces - is combat. KoA's combat system is fluid, timing based and simple. However it is also rewarding, accessible and wildly entertaining. Using the threads of Fate themselves as weapons, the player has the ability at times to charge a super attack, which will slow down time and perform a heroic action that will instantly destroy the target of the attack. These are alot of fun and since they are proc-based and can only happen every once in a while. Not enough to become over-used, but not so far in between it is an unused mechanic. There are a few things, however small, that KoA missed the mark on:

    Speechless protagonist. Absolutely irritating feature that half of developers think is a completely acceptable mechanic in AAA RPG's. He pulls off epic feats of heroism, but he can't speak? BioWare did it in an MMO, this was a big planning mistake and needs to be though about for their next title.

    Sort of unlinear.... but really it isn't. To a degree you can go do whatever you want once you exit the starting zone. That being said... not really. You are restricted by level in most areas and in others there are numerous side quests that have gear/money etc that become crucial for advancing.

    "Collect and kill number of " quests are everywhere. I realize this is an RPG and these things are unavoidable. Granted alot of these quests aren't too bad. The objectives are fairly simple and easy to access. But in Skyrim, these sort of quests had weight, made you care about them. KoA doesn't totally fail here, but when you can recognize the formula without skipping a beat, means I am not quite as immersed as I should be.

    Run into a building ---- Loading Screen ---- Run out of a building ---- Loading Screen ---- Enter Area.... etc. We may have been spoiled by games like WoW and Skyrim, but the age of loading screens is swiftly dieing. Developers really need to start getting on board with doing away with this practice.

    ---------------------------
    Overall this is a great game and a great debut by Mr. Curt Schilling and 38 Studios. Of course when R.A. Salvatore is leading the creative team, creating the gameplay world; you are probably going to be pretty pushed to fail.    … Expand
  53. Grazl
    Feb 8, 2012
    9
    Ah ah people who put 1 or 2 make me laugh.
    You are not giving a note to the game, you are punishing the advertising and the fact that reviewers gave a good score ...
    The game is not bad at all, the only real bad thing I dislike is the face expressions ... the NPC seems emotionless ... but the rest of the game is fun, even without the "open world", what the point of having an open world if    Ah ah people who put 1 or 2 make me laugh.
    You are not giving a note to the game, you are punishing the advertising and the fact that reviewers gave a good score ...
    The game is not bad at all, the only real bad thing I dislike is the face expressions ... the NPC seems emotionless ... but the rest of the game is fun, even without the "open world", what the point of having an open world if it's empty as in Skyrim ...
    It's been a long time since I played a good RPG ...    … Expand
  54. Keyboardhero
    Feb 8, 2012
    1
    This game is proof how corupted video game review sites are wtf 9/10 10/10 8/10 hilarious
    They tried to mix god of war,dragon age,skyrim and wow in 1 big game but problem is they failed Main story is boring you are the one only you can save the world you are that special snowflake gtfo
    Side quests are typical bring me 10 kill 10 crap mmo style quests that they shoulda remade so player    This game is proof how corupted video game review sites are wtf 9/10 10/10 8/10 hilarious
    They tried to mix god of war,dragon age,skyrim and wow in 1 big game but problem is they failed Main story is boring you are the one only you can save the world you are that special snowflake gtfo
    Side quests are typical bring me 10 kill 10 crap mmo style quests that they shoulda remade so player would actualy be interested in doin them.Game art style is mix of fable and wow and its to **** and childish for a game that is suppose to be mature "rpg" game.Dialog options give false C&C cause in the end same thing happens whatever you say.
    Inventory interface is complete crap for pc users you need 5 times to press left click in order to equip something camera is to damn close entire game is stuck in characters a s s
    Crafting is completely pointless game is to damn easy even on hard so no point in craftin anything and also in the end you get better items from looting Magic is insanely overpowered like in fable combat system is riped from god of war and dmc
    Game world is big but you get the feeling when playing the game that you are playing offline mmo so everything feels empty characters are uninspiring and forgettable complete game looks like its big test for a mmo version of this game thats probably gona fail when they release it Kingdoms of amalur:reckoning is overhyped and overrated boring and banal game that does not offer anything new to the dying rpg genre don't spend money on this    … Expand
  55. Salamandra
    Feb 8, 2012
    1
    To put it simple guys, the only bright and fascinating feature of KoA were its' advertisement videos. The actual gameplay and overall game quality are so substandard that it might seem that all the budget went in to the creation of the aforementioned videos (which were in fact very good).
    This game is like a WoW clone without the online element. The camera is absolutely abhorrent. The    To put it simple guys, the only bright and fascinating feature of KoA were its' advertisement videos. The actual gameplay and overall game quality are so substandard that it might seem that all the budget went in to the creation of the aforementioned videos (which were in fact very good).
    This game is like a WoW clone without the online element. The camera is absolutely abhorrent. The open-world reference in the professional reviews is a complete lie - there is no open world in this game - just small narrow instances. The story - you will get tired of it after clicking through tens of meaningless quest screens.
    Overall Skyrim is like 1 billion times better then KoA and instead of buying this pathetic excuse for an RPG you might as well do yourself a favor and play Skyrim another round about.
    KoA is a prime example of how RPGs should not be made.
    Solid 1/10.    … Expand
  56. Anarion25
    Feb 8, 2012
    10
    What an awesome game! I love Skyrim and that doesn't stop me from enjoying it! It is not an open world like Skyrim but it's certainly not a linear world like Dragon Age 2. Combat is fantastic and the freedom of character design is great.
  57. Syrionus
    Feb 8, 2012
    9
    After several hours in, I think this is better than Skyrim. Granted they are different games but the story combat and quests are quite a bit better. I love the art and of course, can't forget the loot. The combat is a cross between Fable and God of War. The loot and questing system reminds me of World of Warcraft. As far as people saying it is easy, try hard mode. The devs are working on aAfter several hours in, I think this is better than Skyrim. Granted they are different games but the story combat and quests are quite a bit better. I love the art and of course, can't forget the loot. The combat is a cross between Fable and God of War. The loot and questing system reminds me of World of Warcraft. As far as people saying it is easy, try hard mode. The devs are working on a way to improve the camera so I am not worried that much about that. In fact the camera was only a minor complaint because you get used to it after a while. Anyway, the game is my favorite game to be released in a very long time. Any RPG fan should pick this up.… Expand
  58. infinite
    Feb 7, 2012
    10
    I've played a little more than 10 hours and I have yet to get away from the starting area! This world is absolutely massive! So. Huge. It's not a true "open world," but I prefer a more guided experience -- smaller digestible chunks. This helps someone with ADD as you'll constantly be discovering new visual styles, areas/dungeons, creatures and piece of lore. The attention to detail in manyI've played a little more than 10 hours and I have yet to get away from the starting area! This world is absolutely massive! So. Huge. It's not a true "open world," but I prefer a more guided experience -- smaller digestible chunks. This helps someone with ADD as you'll constantly be discovering new visual styles, areas/dungeons, creatures and piece of lore. The attention to detail in many aspects of this game is pretty special. I, personally, love this artistic style. The combat is wild (including all of the animations/sounds that go with the combat moves)! It's certainly not bad, at all, for a first studio title. This will likely be the first game to keep my attention to the end since the release of SC2.… Expand
  59. pjlennon
    Feb 7, 2012
    5
    - Even on the highest difficulty this game is jokingly easy. - No ability to zoom the camera out is nauseating (blur effect from turning) and it makes combat more difficult than it should be (at times). - Crafting is completely worthless,
    - Different character classes are pointless as they're all the exact same. Customization is awful. - Quests are repetitive. This is a MMO that was turned    - Even on the highest difficulty this game is jokingly easy. - No ability to zoom the camera out is nauseating (blur effect from turning) and it makes combat more difficult than it should be (at times). - Crafting is completely worthless,
    - Different character classes are pointless as they're all the exact same. Customization is awful. - Quests are repetitive. This is a MMO that was turned into a single player game and it really shows. - Cartoon graphics are fine, there is some decent lighting effects, it looks kind of like Aion. - It's by no means "open world" and it can get old real quick. - There are minor UI things that could be changed to enhance the game, which maybe they'll do in future patches. Still disappointing seeing as how much they play tested the game. - The story is absolutely forgettable, you click through almost all the dialog and click the blue quest lines, run to spot on map, repeat. - I can think of at least 10 other MMOs that could be turned into single player games and they would be more fun that this, which is disappointing as this just came out.    … Expand
  60. Eidolon
    Feb 7, 2012
    10
    I have spent the last few months searching for a new game that would capture and hold my attention for more than a couple of hours, a game that I would look forward to playing when I got home. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning has filled that role. The detailed storyline and history of the world combine with beautiful storybook graphics and an addictive fast paced combat system have me eagerI have spent the last few months searching for a new game that would capture and hold my attention for more than a couple of hours, a game that I would look forward to playing when I got home. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning has filled that role. The detailed storyline and history of the world combine with beautiful storybook graphics and an addictive fast paced combat system have me eager to embark upon my next quest and see what's hiding around the next corner.… Expand
  61. FearTheCalm
    Feb 7, 2012
    9
    I am quite enjoying this game, but I urge everyone to look at CMPN's user profile. It's obviously a fake as all this user has posted are reviews for all the versions of KOA:R, with a copy and paste review that reeks of a review from the developer or publisher. Please, people in the business, do not do this. It is unfair to try and artificially boost your scores.
  62. laldmanx23
    Feb 7, 2012
    7
    A little more time in development and this game would probably be deserving of a 9 or 10. The story is great (for a sandbox), but the Bioware dialogue wheel knockoff is not very well done. The graphics are lacking and the actual combat just seems a little "off", it's not quite fluid. Obviously some will complain about the lack of character customization and it is a valid complaint asA little more time in development and this game would probably be deserving of a 9 or 10. The story is great (for a sandbox), but the Bioware dialogue wheel knockoff is not very well done. The graphics are lacking and the actual combat just seems a little "off", it's not quite fluid. Obviously some will complain about the lack of character customization and it is a valid complaint as it's very limited (personally I couldn't care less about customization). Most of the abilities are ascetically pleasing and the combat was more interesting than a TES game. It is essentially a solid game that didn't quite live up to my expectations, I feel like it was a little bit rushed but ultimately it's good enough to warrant a purchase at some point. Any hardcore RPG fan should pick it up, but anyone else should probably wait until a price cut.… Expand
  63. NastyN8
    Feb 7, 2012
    10
    There are many thing to like about KOA:R. (I am currently playing on PC with a single RADEON 6850 GPU). The story is complex but very meaningful if you take the time to talk to the NPCs. Side quests are numerous and the world is open and very vast. There is much to explore and rewards for your exploration seem to await around every corner. The combat is in a class of its own and puts anyThere are many thing to like about KOA:R. (I am currently playing on PC with a single RADEON 6850 GPU). The story is complex but very meaningful if you take the time to talk to the NPCs. Side quests are numerous and the world is open and very vast. There is much to explore and rewards for your exploration seem to await around every corner. The combat is in a class of its own and puts any other current RPG to shame. I really enjoy the art style as well, KOA:R doesn't try to look realistic, instead it focuses on looking cool (which is where Todd McFarlane is at his best). To be fair, there are some cons as well. It takes too many clicks of the mouse/keyboard to get into the menu you want and back out again and so switching a piece of armor or a weapon is more time consuming than it should be.The voice acting and character animation is brilliant but the lip syncing is far less than perfect. The NPC character models, even on PC high-settings leave something to be desired; however, the main character (you) and the monsters usually look great.

    Flaws aside, I gave this game a 10 because the experience of playing it is brilliant and it feels different from any other game in the genre.    … Expand
  64. Grosher
    Feb 7, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A MASTERPIECE Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning . Spectacular and Amazing is the first title of 38 Studio and is very very competitive with other fantasy RPG . This game not have to be jealousy to other games like Skyrim. Dragon Age, Souls Demons /Dark Souls, Dugeon Siege, LoR War on The North, M& M Heroes 4, The Witcher and Quest Titan so that it has everything in one. Is a world totally different, full of color and spectacular history, You feel the personages with real life ,delicate movement . The music WAooo!!! the music is the most important factor for the game and this game you found it Violins , Cello, Trumpet , French Horn ,Timpani drums and many more (Waooo!!! again) . The visual and sounds are HD 3D effects. I hope other title of the same studio (I wish be a open World, to feel the water, cascades and rivers).If this title is interesting the following must be equal or far better. The studio to be remain the same work party a same think to give to the true good players good titles. Thanks for do a better world my personal Score 9.6 for not be a open world… Expand
  65. DarkChaplain
    Feb 7, 2012
    9
    From what I've seen these past 2 hours of the Demo and 7 of the Full Game, KoA:R is a great game.

    The world is open to travel, and I've yet to come across an area I could not enter if I wanted to, although I am more entertained by exploring the world, solving quests as they come and talk to NPCs. I wonder what people expect from an Open World game - sure, Reckoning connects the bigger    From what I've seen these past 2 hours of the Demo and 7 of the Full Game, KoA:R is a great game.

    The world is open to travel, and I've yet to come across an area I could not enter if I wanted to, although I am more entertained by exploring the world, solving quests as they come and talk to NPCs. I wonder what people expect from an Open World game - sure, Reckoning connects the bigger spaces on the map through smaller paths, but who gives if I cannot view the other end of the world from my house? Even in Real Life, areas are connected by bigger roads and passes.

    KoA:R has its fun moments, where it does not even take its own characters seriously. One example would be a wannabe-alchemist trying to assume the identity of a legendary man of that craft, but can only keep up with that due to a potion that makes him smart. He also resembles black rapper stereotypes, which makes the nonsense he talks even more enjoyable.

    While there are fun moments like these, the world itself feels consistent so far, with a bigger conflict being hinted by multiple important NPCs. There is a lot more depth to be found here than people would like to admit when comparing it to the grand, excessively overrated "skyrim".

    Yes, this is no Skyrim. But quite honestly, I'm glad for that fact. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning feels far more engaging and exciting than Skyrim ever did.
    This game offers interesting combat, customization both in terms of equipment and skills, with basic traits and abilities split and a world which is fun to explore with its multitude of colors and nice voice acting.

    It will take multiple playthroughs to explore everything the skill and ability trees have to offer. Spending points either on Might, Finesse or Sorcery also make your character much more specialized than in an "you can be anything you want, all at the same time"-RPG like Skyrim. You sure can weild a hammer, staff or sceptre whenever you want, for sure, but you won't be quite as good as with the weapon types you spec on, and its fairly noticeable early into the game.

    The combat itself is nicely balanced so far, from easy enemies you could mow down without effort to fiends who'd require faster reactions and different ways to approach in general, and bosses that can be quite frustrating if you underestimate them. The dual-weild style of combat works extremely well and it is rewarding to watch enemies get pushed back by your melee attacks just to get finished by an arrow or ability. switching between combat styles is simply and works to the player's advantage, as there is a weapon for any taste, and different flavors of these weapons.

    There are multiple traits a weapon can carry, some strengthening your energy or health bars, others protecting of damage or adding status effects to your attacks, and you'll compare your gear all the time.
    KoA:R uses the typical "white, green, blue, purple, gold"-pattern for equipment levels, which is a good and intuitive decision. You'll feel right at home.

    Crafting requires some talent points to be truly effective, as you first dismantle gear into their basic parts, where the quality (and success) depends on your blacksmithing skill, and then reattach gear by using the necessary basic parts and adding enhancements in the process after unlocking these optional slots on the skilltree. Alchemy works similarly, you'll have to actively spend points on that tree to be able to brew stronger potions rather than having you craft x potions to level up. Of course, experimenting is in as well as brewing by recipes.
    There's also sagecraft, where you can combine shards or put them into weapon/armor sockets to give the gear special traits, but these are typical lategame-things.

    All crafting screens are easy to navigate and intuitive to use, which is a definite plus.
    There's much more to the game as a whole, but these are the points which I personally find noteworthy and deciding.

    Overall the game is great, entertaining and engaging. I can't see why people already start downvote-spamming on release day (which isn't even worldwide yet).    … Expand
  66. Allions
    Feb 7, 2012
    9
    Not as good as Skyrim, but this is a very good RPG. There are some good ideas (inventory, armors, weapons creation) and the story looks good. Some problems: cameras and V Sync on PC (with v sync enabled loadings time are more than a minute on a high end pc).
    I'll give it a 9
  67. GarySpeaksTruth
    Feb 7, 2012
    10
    I have not played this game yet, but I do own it. As from playing the demo though, it is one hell of a fun game as it has many new innovations to offer.
  68. Kaizerfist
    Feb 7, 2012
    10
    FAst paced action with all the staple rpg elemts. It does what skyrim could not do for me. Its fun and engaging. I highly recommend trying it for yourse;f instead of trusting any reviews.
  69. evolvia31
    Feb 7, 2012
    9
    Excellent RPG Game is a bit under skyrim but games is very long to the main quest (~30h) and if you add the side quest, faction quest and all other there are very very much hours of games.

    Craft and spellcraft are funny and can make a very good item, weapon and armor.
    This game is a new licence and it's a very good launch to it.
  70. MattC
    Feb 7, 2012
    8
    Cons:
    Outdated character and environment graphics.
    Menu system is clearly console"ified" and clunky with m/k. Cartoony textures (may be a pro for some). Generic fantasy world, with all the usual players. Poor character creator. Mute main character Pros: Some of the best combat and gameplay ever in an rpg. Virtually bug free. Tons of ability to customize not only your appearance, but    Cons:
    Outdated character and environment graphics.
    Menu system is clearly console"ified" and clunky with m/k.
    Cartoony textures (may be a pro for some).
    Generic fantasy world, with all the usual players.
    Poor character creator.
    Mute main character

    Pros:
    Some of the best combat and gameplay ever in an rpg.
    Virtually bug free.
    Tons of ability to customize not only your appearance, but skills also, 3 talent tress that are all fleshed out very well.
    Forgiving leveling system that lets you reset your points. High quality voice acting.
    TONS (150+ hours) of side quests.
    Gear drops like it's going out of style.

    Overall:
    I was very skeptical after playing to demo, but once you start raking in loot and gear plus get some points into combat this game starts to get very, very, good.    … Expand
  71. CMPN
    Feb 7, 2012
    10
    Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning delivers exactly what it promises: a pitch-perfect fantasy RPG, with visceral, intuitive gameplay that is easy to pick up, difficult to master, wildly flexible and just plain fun, in a way that has yet to be seen in the genre. The world is accessible and vast, offering genre fans plenty to sink their teeth into. One gets the sense that they are watching anKingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning delivers exactly what it promises: a pitch-perfect fantasy RPG, with visceral, intuitive gameplay that is easy to pick up, difficult to master, wildly flexible and just plain fun, in a way that has yet to be seen in the genre. The world is accessible and vast, offering genre fans plenty to sink their teeth into. One gets the sense that they are watching an entire world unfold before them, one rich with history and lore and life. Amalur opens itself up to the player in a way that is both familiar and refreshing, then empowers the player to do incredible things. 38 Studios and Big Huge Games have created a world worth saving, and they have given us some pretty damn cool tools with which to get the job done.… Expand
next
Page:

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Best PC Game of 2012
24
#24 Most Discussed PC Game of 2012
18
#18 Most Shared PC Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. PC PowerPlay
    Apr 5, 2012
    60
    Fast and flashy combat in a shallow fantasy world. For the solo MMO player only. [Apr 2012, p.62]
    Read full review
  2. CPUGamer
    Mar 27, 2012
    80
    For all the things that don't work well, the exciting combat and deep world make KAR a very worthy game to play. It's a shame Electronic Arts is doing such a poor job of promoting it, as there is enough here to make the foundation of a very solid franchise.
    Read full review
  3. PC Gamer
    Mar 21, 2012
    74
    Great combat and mountains of loot can't compensate for Amalur's generic world design and familiar story. [May 2012, p.72]
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »