Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning: Review

I admit that after playing the demo, I wasn't overly excited about the release of KOA: Reckoning. Now that I've had a chance to really get into this game, I have to say that Amalur is one of the best games to come out this year.

Breakdown:



Platforms: PS3, Xbox, & PC
Rating: M for Mature
Genre: RPG
Mode: Single-Player
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: February 7th, 2012


Story:

Penned by 22 time New York Times best selling author R.A. Salvatore, the story in KOA: Reckoning is one of magic, fantasy and destiny. The opening of the game is a little dark considering you're dead. After being thrown out like Tuesday's trash, you awaken in a dumping ground of dead bodies with little idea of what happened. As you seek answers you become intertwined in a tale that feels like an epic fantasy novel.

Presentation:

KOA's cartoonish look will draw comparisons to the Fable series. Just about every environment is filled with vibrant colors. From mist filled caves to lush forests, each diverse setting looks wonderful. Visual effects and lighting are cleverly used and draw players into an immersive world. While it doesn't have the same look as a game like Skyrim, the settings are beautiful in thier own right. The world of Amalur feels much more fantastic. For the most part NPCs fit their settings, however some of their movements are stiff at times. Also, your character doesn't speak or do much else when interacting with them. It almost makes your character seem like a bystander while you choose conversation options. While this doesn't kill the experience, I felt it would've been more engaging to have a character that doesn't come off as a mute.

Game-play:

Just about everything you expect to get out of a good RPG you will find in KOA. There's plenty of quests and tasks to keep you occupied. If you need a break you from the grind, there are 3 types of crafting available. Blacksmithing allows you to create weapons and armor. Sagecrafting allows you to make gems that enhance your equipment. Finally you can create potions using Alchemy.

There are 4 playable races to choose from, each with their own perks. There are plenty of customization options to give your character its own unique look. Players can also choose from 3 talent trees. Might is the Warrior class, Finesse is the Rouge class and Sorcery will take you down the path of a Mage. You will be able to mix and match skills from each tree to build a character to suit your style of play. As you progress in the game, you will earn Destiny Cards that further compliment your skills. Players are free to experiment with a wide variety of skills to create a character that feels like it's tailored to them. If you aren't happy with your set up you can simply pay a Fateweaver to start you over from scratch.

While most RPGs have somewhat simple or boring combat systems, Kingdoms of Amalur stands as the antithesis. Not only is the combat system great, it's what sets it apart from every other RPG on the market. Players can chain together insane combos using standard attacks, ranged attacks, special skills and magic. Not only do these combos do a-lot of damage, but they look cool when you pull them off. I found myself looking for things to kill just to see what kind of moves I could pull off.

Rating:


Saying that Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a good game is an understatement. This game has everything you are looking for. A great story that is well told, addicting combat and a world full of wonder to explore. The number of quests and the high replay value will keep you busy for months. There are a few glitches here and there, but nothing that takes away from the game too much. If you're a RPG fan this game is a must have. I give this game an 8.5 out of 10.