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
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  1. 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
  2. Chatmak
    Mar 3, 2012
    9
    The graphic style is cartoon-y, offering a fresh alternative to some of the other RPGs of this generation, making the game a pleasure to look at, with varied and beautiful environments. The character look unique and special, but the lip-syncing could be better and the draw distance is not great. I haven't encountered any major graphical glitches yet, and the game runs smoothly.
    The    The graphic style is cartoon-y, offering a fresh alternative to some of the other RPGs of this generation, making the game a pleasure to look at, with varied and beautiful environments. The character look unique and special, but the lip-syncing could be better and the draw distance is not great. I haven't encountered any major graphical glitches yet, and the game runs smoothly.
    The dialogue is hit and miss; one type is a tedious list where everyone seems to have the same general options where they will offer vague, similar opinions on a topic plus maybe one additional character-specific topic that will lead you to a quest. The other is a mass-effect choice style where you can choose how you respond to a character (usually an important character). You also get a Fallout-style persuasion option which shows you the chance of success based on your persuasion skill. For main characters, dialogue is interesting and cool, but when you're just exploring, it doesn't do as good a very good job of immersing you but rather bores you, and while the developers could've found a more entertaining way of putting information across, this still does the job; you'll know what you need to know if you want to know it. Additionally, the choices you make have very minor effects and have no impact on the storyline whatsoever. This is fine as the game never claimed to contain major moral choices, but it's something to note if you're planning to get the game.
    Due to its third person perspective, Reckoning isn't as accessible as first-person games like Skyrim. It's open-world, but it still has clear boundaries that you cannot cross. It's like A LOT of linear, confined areas have been put next to each other to create a pretty big open world, which works. The interesting thing about Kingdoms of Amalur is that it manages to take bits and bobs from other major RPGs, such as the Dragon Age skill tree, Elder Scrolls looting, Mass Effect dialogue, etc. but still remains original in its own way. You likely won't find something and marvel at its originality, but when you look at the game as a whole, it's easy to see that the developers have taken the best bits out of other games, put them all together and added the element that many of them were somewhat lacking in, game-play, and made a game that is perhaps more complete than any other fantasy RPG on the market.
    The game-play, as I'm sure you will have heard is very good. The combat feels fluid, fun and varied, with an array of weapons and spells to use. For the most part, it doesn't feel too challenging at the Normal setting, but there are certain creatures that will certainly pose a threat. The game offers a real-time XP/Level-up system, rewarding players for killing creatures as soon as they do so, which is good. The level-up system is reminiscent of Dragon Age's, where you pick a perk every time you level up and choose which skill from one of the three skill trees (Might, Finesse and Sorcery, or basically, Warrior, Bowman and Mage) to invest points into. Arguably the best thing about Amalur's level-up system is the fact that it never locks you into a certain path. If you invested all your points into Sorcery but never use staffs, that's fine. There's nothing stopping you from playing the game that way. Matching your playing style to your point investment definitely helps, but is never required.
    The inventory system is inferior to pretty much every other modern RPG. It's basically a list, going into another list etc. then you get to what you like. Luckily, you can equip any weapon to a Primary or Secondary weapon and can switch between them at the press of a button at any time during game-play, (so you can have a sword as your primary and another sword as your secondary, or a sword and a bow/staff and so on) which is good, but if you want to remap one of your weapon slots, you have to go through several tiers of lists. There is a hotkey system for spells, a dial for potions and two slots for weapons but ultimately this falls flat compared to Skyrim's all-encompassing favourite system which allows you to just have what you want in one, easy-to-access list.
    One gripe I have with Reckoning is that it just dumps tons of information onto you as if it was meaningless. The implication of doing something can be as little as a tick on the quest screen. You don't feel like you're doing what you're doing for a reason but rather to just complete the quest. You'll find a town, meet some that give you a quest each, go do their quests (which will likely be generic and boring), turn them in, get your reward and be done. The faction and main story quests are much more fun, but the majority of the side quests aren't.
    Overall, Reckoning is fun to play, and that's what matters. The RPG elements work fine, the world is vast and packed with content, and the combat doesn't feel laborious or monotonous, but fun and varied; his game is definitely worth playing if you're an RPG fan.    … Expand
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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..
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. Ghylor
    Feb 11, 2012
    9
    I really love this game, i enjoy more this game then Skyrim. I'm very happy and love the combat, and everything, remind me of a mmorpg but solo :-)
  12. Kwambus
    Feb 11, 2012
    9
    I created an account just to pop in a few comments on this game. I am around 20 hours in at the moment and having read some of the positive and negative reviews and comments I was honestly expecting the gaming equivalent of Marmite (you love it or hate it). Well, I can honestly say I love it. It's everything Fable should have been and a little more. Combat is great fun - I think everyoneI created an account just to pop in a few comments on this game. I am around 20 hours in at the moment and having read some of the positive and negative reviews and comments I was honestly expecting the gaming equivalent of Marmite (you love it or hate it). Well, I can honestly say I love it. It's everything Fable should have been and a little more. Combat is great fun - I think everyone agrees on that, but I also really like the Lore and story, quests are interesting too. Yes, they are go fetch, DHL or kill 10 rats but what honestly was anyone expecting? The combat more than makes up for this IMHO.

    The game's graphics are enchanting, and the world solid, bugs appear to be few and far between (PC version). Long time since I got lost in a game like this without getting distracted I would say it's one of my sleeper hits for this year. Yes I played Skyrim, don't expect that sort of open world epic and you won't be let down. The game appears to be massive it's not completely linear though, I think the people saying that are being a little unfair. Go try the demo if your unsure - personally I think you would have to be expecting too much or a little mean to give this game less than a 7.    … Expand
  13. Stormchaser
    Feb 11, 2012
    9
    PC Gamer here, At first I was a bit disapointed HOWEVER tweaking the nVidia panel and I must admit this game ROCKS VERY HARD!! Best fighting mechanics without a doubt, great gfx and a cool story line, don't be fooled by some of these chops posting nonsense here, they played 2 hours max and made up their mind that it sucks!? I'm giving it a 9 rating for sure.
  14. wcparry
    Feb 11, 2012
    9
    Okay, so the environment and character graphics (Including foliage and 2d rendering areas of it) are "Outdated" as I've seen many state; keep in mind this IS a port from console world, which leaves many things left to be desired for PC gamers. WE are serious people about our games, though most of "Us" whine when games tax our systems, and we whine when they do not; go figure. TheOkay, so the environment and character graphics (Including foliage and 2d rendering areas of it) are "Outdated" as I've seen many state; keep in mind this IS a port from console world, which leaves many things left to be desired for PC gamers. WE are serious people about our games, though most of "Us" whine when games tax our systems, and we whine when they do not; go figure. The controls are clunky with aiming, again due to CONSOLE porting, it leaves the accuracy and what we are "used to" as PC gamers out. So that's the bad, or most of it from my standpoint. The good?

    It is FUN! It is a "hack and slash" RPG, though in some ways more hack and slash. The RP elements are very strong when you look at the differences in class and character builds that can be done. It is HUGE on build potential via the mechanics. I've been playing for about 30 hours thus far, and have seen VERY few bugs (That's impressive, since even the worst games suffer from perennial bugs on day 1 releases) aside from an install issue, I've had 0 issues with it. The gameplay and fighting isn't "Japanisized" as most "action" games seem to go toward lately, which is terribly annoying, though the swords are a tad huge, they aren't the size of cars like FF and the others that give me nausea. The story line is GREAT and gripping, if you take the time to invest your thought in it at the beginning of the game. Sure, some concepts are tired, but...what more is there for RPGs or any other game for that matter? It isn't as if there are thousands of "New" ways of adding role playing elements to any gaming structure. Did I mention the fighting is fun? It is, though my mouse finger is TIRED! The game is smooth, no stuttering at all with everything maxed, sure that's because of the consoleesque textures, but still, I've played uglier that ran MUCH worse. Has all the "Usual" characters, but they are a necessity in most all RP style games in a not-modern environment. The voice acting though a bit stiff, is good. The lip syncing is outstanding, the company that did the facial animation is top-notch at their profession it seems. People comparing it to Skyrim are silly, it looks and feels nothing like it. If you don't like a game because it is "Different" then that is your issue, not the developers' fact is, without those differences we'd be even more bored and all be playing some nonsensical Reality TV based RP or WoW instead. It is rich, well written and if you don't click through everything it will grab your mind. Play with it, the options are endless and differ well enough to give anyone a challenge in some way.    … Expand
  15. seaban
    Feb 12, 2012
    9
    I am having a blast playing Reckoning! I really don't understand all the super low scores on here. I can understand the 5 and 6's because it just may not be your type of game. However to give the game a 1-4 is saying this game is absolute trash. This is a FUN game. PRO: -Combat is awesome. I am discovering new combatI am having a blast playing Reckoning! I really don't understand all the super low scores on here. I can understand the 5 and 6's because it just may not be your type of game. However to give the game a 1-4 is saying this game is absolute trash. This is a FUN game. PRO: -Combat is awesome. I am discovering new combat mechanics constantly
    -Great and exciting loot.
    -Personally I like the art and graphics.
    -When you play a game and say "I wish it would do this". Reckoning probably does. -Personally I like the story. It's nothing mindblowing but it's not a con (there is a con to it though)

    Con:
    -Story takes awhile to care about.
    -Needs an even harder difficulty, it is hard on hard, but I would like a super hard mode.

    This is a love it or its a "meh" type game. I hope everyone will at least try the game. If you like the aesthetics and combat, the game gets so much better as you go. This is what a game should be, fun.    … Expand
  16. clintonmichaelj
    Feb 12, 2012
    9
    A very fun and addictive game. Loot, salvage, craft, sell - rinse and repeat. If you enjoy questing and customizing, this is the game for you.

    Another little cool feature is the ability to customize you character's appearance at any time. Get bored with the way he is looking and you can tweak it. No need to start a new game. Also, when you save - the game allows you to play while it    A very fun and addictive game. Loot, salvage, craft, sell - rinse and repeat. If you enjoy questing and customizing, this is the game for you.

    Another little cool feature is the ability to customize you character's appearance at any time. Get bored with the way he is looking and you can tweak it. No need to start a new game. Also, when you save - the game allows you to play while it is saving. A very small yet very cool feature. I enjoyed Skyrim and I am enjoying this.

    It's okay people - you can enjoy both games! :)    … Expand
  17. acerockolla
    Feb 12, 2012
    9
    Reckoning is an unbelievable debut outing of a game. There is so much to do and see. There is no wrong way to build your character. Most fun and visceral combat I've ever seen in an RPG. The art direction, in particular the gorgeous range of the color palette, is a breath of fresh air in today's gray and brown mainstream video game world. I've read a lot of complaining that "the NPC's haveReckoning is an unbelievable debut outing of a game. There is so much to do and see. There is no wrong way to build your character. Most fun and visceral combat I've ever seen in an RPG. The art direction, in particular the gorgeous range of the color palette, is a breath of fresh air in today's gray and brown mainstream video game world. I've read a lot of complaining that "the NPC's have too much dialogue" or "there are too many quests". Think about what you're asking for - it's every other game I've played in the last 5 years. I think 38 studios should be applauded for packing so much into this world - they've got an interested follower in me.… Expand
  18. FrankFP
    Feb 13, 2012
    9
    Lovely RPG with lots of quest, a good story and an excellent combat system. There is loads of things to do in this game and it will take a very long time to get through all the content. The graphics might seem a little 'cartoony' in the screenshots, but it is actually a very beautiful game where it is fun to explore. It reminds me of Fable in the way it connects the different areas of theLovely RPG with lots of quest, a good story and an excellent combat system. There is loads of things to do in this game and it will take a very long time to get through all the content. The graphics might seem a little 'cartoony' in the screenshots, but it is actually a very beautiful game where it is fun to explore. It reminds me of Fable in the way it connects the different areas of the game, but where that feels limiting in Fable, it does not here. The area are large enough to explore and the connections between the areas feels more 'natural', so the world seems like a big coherent place. The combat is fun and quick. A lot of the fights are pretty easy when you get the basic move in your system, but you will be challenged as well. KOA is how action-RPG should be made. Lots of content, a good story in an interesting world, well handled skill system and exciting combat.… Expand
  19. gtracr
    Feb 14, 2012
    9
    Kingdoms of Amalua is an enjoyable game. The gameplay and story are gripping. The graphics and art style are well suited to the exaggerated weapon and armour design.

    There is so much satisfaction in swinging a large sword into an enemy and chaining moves to create combos. There is a great feeling of impact in battles. An uppercut with your sword will send your enemy skyward giving the    Kingdoms of Amalua is an enjoyable game. The gameplay and story are gripping. The graphics and art style are well suited to the exaggerated weapon and armour design.

    There is so much satisfaction in swinging a large sword into an enemy and chaining moves to create combos. There is a great feeling of impact in battles. An uppercut with your sword will send your enemy skyward giving the player time to execute the next move of choice before the enemy hits the ground.

    How the player chooses to battle is completely up to the player. The player is not stuck running through the same sequence of commands in every battle. The gameplay in this game is great.

    The side quests usually involve killing X number of things and thatâ    … Expand
  20. kumo82
    Feb 16, 2012
    9
    Fun and plenty of things to explore much like Skyrim but more action-orientated. Enjoyed playing it with both K+B or keypad. Didn't encounter any game breaking bug nor CTD so that is a good pint. Of course the game is not perfect but the fun factor is high and I see some re-playability in it although it might be a single player game.
  21. steelmccoy
    Feb 16, 2012
    9
    Kingdoms of Amalur is a great action-RPG. It's pretty much the game Dragon Age 2 should have been and compares favorably to Skyrim. I really don't understand the harsh reviews, so I'll focus on what many have listed as it's short-comings.

    -Generic fantasy world. I didn't really find this to be the case. It's much less generic than the setting of the Elder Scrolls. It's at least as    Kingdoms of Amalur is a great action-RPG. It's pretty much the game Dragon Age 2 should have been and compares favorably to Skyrim. I really don't understand the harsh reviews, so I'll focus on what many have listed as it's short-comings.

    -Generic fantasy world. I didn't really find this to be the case. It's much less generic than the setting of the Elder Scrolls. It's at least as original as the Dragon Age setting. Sure it uses traditional fantasy races like elves and gnomes. But it also draws elements from other traditional folk lore that hasn't been touched as much. -Not open world. Of course it is! Movement isn't as free as it is in Skyrim, but it's close to Fallout. Really, navigation is pretty much identical to Dragon Age - you can't jump and the areas are fairly "narrow." For example, you'll run through a forest and have to stick to paths. But you have the freedom to go anywhere you want at any time - that's open world. Saying this game isn't open world is like saying that the GTA games weren't open world since there are buildings that force you to stay on streets. The first region of the game does feel a little flat and claustrophobic, but this changes later in the game. You'll find a desert canyon area that has plenty of dimension, a plains area that is much more wide open, etc.

    -Weak story, characters, and side quests. I really like the main plot. The whole fate is a really interesting aspect, and it definitely has that epic feel without being too cliched. I think the characters are also very interesting. There's the traditional wizened world-guide character, but he's much different from the stereotype as he has personal issues that make him very interesting. I think the other main character is enigmatic and compelling. I've played a ton of RPGs, and the side quests in this game are very original and don't feel very repetitive. Yes, there are a fair share of "go here and get this item," but there are others which don't fit the traditional mold and most have good plots and twists that make you want to do them. If we're comparing KoA to Skryim, I feel that KoA has the vastly superior plot, deeper and more original characters, and side-quests that are at least as good and in many cases better than those found in Skyrim.

    -Graphics. I actually agree here. They're serviceable, not amazing. Definitely cartoonish, which does seem to clash a little with the somewhat dark nature of the setting. Probably 6/10 for these.

    -Camera. This can be annoying. You can't manually zoom, which leaves you really close in to your character when exploring. This contributes to the sort of claustrophobic feel, and if you could zoom out you might be able to enjoy the surrounding environment a bit more. In combat, the camera doesn't rotate to give you a good view of your enemies enough. Sometimes it will zoom waaay out to try to give you a view of an enemy that is far enough away that it's not a threat, and giving you a poor view of the enemies you're actually engaging. Not game-ruining, by any stretch, but plenty of room for improvement.

    In conclusion, KoA is a great RPG. The combat is fast-paced and interesting. Character customization is really flexible, letting you mix and match abilities rather than confining you to narrow character classes. The main plot and side quests are engaging. Again, compared to Skyrim, it has better story, characters, and combat. It is less immersive due to weaker graphics, camera, exploration, and interaction with the environment. I'd say they are about on the same level, a solid 9/10. I feel like giving it a 10/10 to balance out those ridiculous 1/10 reviews, but I'll just be honest with my score.    … Expand
  22. alucard6500
    Feb 16, 2012
    9
    Kingoms of Amulur to me is a great game, reason being is I have been playing skyrim almost 300 hours and got this game as a palet clenser and it works. Todd mcfarlane is one of my favorite people and his designs make it feel right at home for me with the twisted and skulky characters input into this game, R.L Salvatore made the story fit perfectly to let "You" fill in more of the blanksKingoms of Amulur to me is a great game, reason being is I have been playing skyrim almost 300 hours and got this game as a palet clenser and it works. Todd mcfarlane is one of my favorite people and his designs make it feel right at home for me with the twisted and skulky characters input into this game, R.L Salvatore made the story fit perfectly to let "You" fill in more of the blanks that others expected to be given, I mean isn't that what reading is all about anyways and he managed to do it in a visual standard and then Todd howard, so much of this game reminds me of a fantasy animated elder schrolls elements based game. In other words people quit being such harsh critics when you should understand all the elements that make up this game, iff I didn't have to say one thing about this game that is a slight negative would be the camera sometimes wants to scroll down but hey im fine with it otherwise, Good Job guys 9.0+… Expand
  23. Gramby
    Feb 16, 2012
    9
    This game is a combination of Diablo, World of Warcraft, Skyrim, and Dragon Age. The gameplay may be the best in any current generation RPG, and is much better than Skyrim's. I really enjoyed this game and can't believe all these negative reviews.
  24. Krepost
    Feb 18, 2012
    9
    While the storyline and some of the environments are a big generic and mmo-like, the combat system is unique and the combo system will blow you away (wait until you see reckoning mode..it sounds lame, but it's easily forgiven, what a cool game mechanic). Also, this game had the courage to say "screw realism" and ask themselves how to make a truly fun game (arrows recharge and your shieldWhile the storyline and some of the environments are a big generic and mmo-like, the combat system is unique and the combo system will blow you away (wait until you see reckoning mode..it sounds lame, but it's easily forgiven, what a cool game mechanic). Also, this game had the courage to say "screw realism" and ask themselves how to make a truly fun game (arrows recharge and your shield appears when you hit a button - not realistic, but boy does it work well!). The game is a bit too easy as well, I play on hard and it is not challenging. Another thing - the game stays from the depressing gray and browns that plague today's "realistic" games and created environments which are artsy and beautiful. There are certain games where you can tell the designers stayed late to create their game out of love for what they do. It is evident that the designers put a great deal of work into KOAR and it shows, they have every reason to be proud of it.… Expand
  25. vtvyper
    Feb 21, 2012
    9
    I played the demo and wasn't 'grabbed' but decided to pick up the game anyway, hoping the full version would be better. Initially, again the game seemed flat, but then as I gained more abilities (and remapped the aweful default keyboard bindings) the game grew on me in a big way. The combat system is outstanding and the abilities are really a lot of fun. Most of my time is with a rogueI played the demo and wasn't 'grabbed' but decided to pick up the game anyway, hoping the full version would be better. Initially, again the game seemed flat, but then as I gained more abilities (and remapped the aweful default keyboard bindings) the game grew on me in a big way. The combat system is outstanding and the abilities are really a lot of fun. Most of my time is with a rogue style character but even my low level caster and warrior will see more play. For those comparing TES to KOA, they both have their strengths and weaknesses. I've loved the TES series from the beginning but the combat was always a bit weak. KOA does great in this area. Where could KOA do better? 1) The inventory system on the PC is pitiful--way too many clicks to sort out and compare items, 2) variety of adversaries--good but I agree with others in that it could be even deeper, 3) default keymapping was a hand cramping nightmare--I nearly gave up playing until fiddling with it, 4) more options in character creation with more depth of meaningful choices, 5) broader skill set (as opposed to the abilities) or at least make all the current ones more balanced between each other (lockpicking and others are worthless.) All this being said, I'm having a blast with Amalur and will be playing several different characters through the engaging storyline. For those that gave the game a 3 or less...really? I don't think I've ever played a 3 or less in my life. If I had, it would have been memorable as the most pitiful failure I'd ever spent money on. Do we really have to throw scores to the extreme?

    In closing, I'd love to see a program pulling the best features of both the TES and KOA franchises together. To be honest, based on this initial attempt by 38 Studios, I think the next version of KOA could be the prime contender to a fully realized game world with a very engaging combat system.    … Expand
  26. Grumppi
    Feb 21, 2012
    9
    Reckoning's combat very much reminds me of Fable, which is certainly a plus, while the exploration and size of the world are akin to Skyrim. If you really like Fable, but want a lot more content, this game will be very appealing to you. Don't let the Skyrim "fan-boys," trolls, and haters dissuade you; this is a very good game that has excellent art direction, combat, world immersion, story, etc.
  27. Killeah
    Feb 26, 2012
    9
    GRAPHICS: 85 - Nice color palette and blending, missing better light/shadow effects and details

    SOUND: 85 - Decent soundtrack, especially the Tuatha score is epic, some dull moments here and there. GAMEPLAY: 93 - Spot on controls, Well done utilizing mouse/keyboard combination. Haven't seen so fast and sharp combat since WoW. Minigames regarding dispelling,lockpicking works!! VALUE: 95    GRAPHICS: 85 - Nice color palette and blending, missing better light/shadow effects and details

    SOUND: 85 - Decent soundtrack, especially the Tuatha score is epic, some dull moments here and there.

    GAMEPLAY: 93 -
    Spot on controls, Well done utilizing mouse/keyboard combination. Haven't seen so fast and sharp combat since WoW. Minigames regarding dispelling,lockpicking works!!

    VALUE: 95 - Looking at my steam played counter for Kingdoms of amalur : 57.7 hours. I´ve only discovered about 25% of the regions in the game, and my bet is that the amount of quests I´ve done (65), are about the same. This game is HUGE.

    APPEAL: 85 - The game is somewhat slow to start. The story requires patience to unfold. And perhaps too much side information is given. It wasn´t until around 20 hours played that I got a good idea of where this story was taking off to. But it is worth the wait. Some quests are tedious, and I would have love a bit more in depth conversation and response to my character from the NPC´s.


    OVERALL: 90
    A brilliant single player RPG with tons of locations/lore/stories to explore. The character building is spot on with tons of possibilities. The story - once taking off, is exciting and thorough.    … Expand
  28. susansmistake
    Mar 3, 2012
    9
    KOA:R, while not as graphically stunning as recent RPGs, still delivers where it counts - great gameplay, story, and overall satisfaction while playing. It's easy to waste a few hours without feeling as though any time has passed at all, which is a great indication of it's fun factor.
  29. not2nerdydotcom
    Mar 6, 2012
    9
    Kingdoms of Amalur is hands down the first roleplaying game to nail how combat should feel going forward in the genre. The only drawback to the game is that the story and lore are not as memorable as its fantasy role playing counterparts like Skyrim, Dragon Age, and Fable. Otherwise if your are looking for an action role playing game with excellent loot,role playing systems, plenty ofKingdoms of Amalur is hands down the first roleplaying game to nail how combat should feel going forward in the genre. The only drawback to the game is that the story and lore are not as memorable as its fantasy role playing counterparts like Skyrim, Dragon Age, and Fable. Otherwise if your are looking for an action role playing game with excellent loot,role playing systems, plenty of content, and a beautiful, luscious, and colorful fantasy world, Kingdoms of Amalur is the game for you!!… Expand
  30. Kertos
    Mar 7, 2012
    9
    Maybe the best RPG Fighting system i ever had the pleasure to play. The graphicstyle fids very good and the world feels all fine. There is a tone of content (20 if you rush 100 if you try to do everything).The biggest downside is the balance. I started on hard and it is still sometimes far to easy - especially crafting can make you some rly op items. - small side note, very fast load times
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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

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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]
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  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.
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  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]
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