Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning review roundup

EA’s new single-player action-RPG, Kingdoms of Amalur, hits local retail this Friday, 10 Feb. We’ve been keeping a close eye on the game since it was it was announced. Not only do we generally look forward to new IPs, but with sufficient budget supplied by EA, and ex-Elder Scrolls lead designer Ken Rolston at the helm, the action-RPG looks promising – at least on paper.

Major international publications began publishing their reviews of the game today, and so far feedback has been positive, with the game sitting on a Metacritic score of 80/100. Joystiq has awarded it a perfect 5/5, and IGN and IncGamers each gave it 9/10.

The game is an action-RPG, which means that we can expect a fluid and engaging combat system set against the backdrop of a role playing system. The game offers 5 distinct regions, 4 playable races and 3 class trees each with 22 abilities per tree. Combat utilises a timing system, as well as occasional quick time events.

Lead combat designer Joe Quadara has said that “twitch skill is only going to get you so far. Strategy and proper RPG playing is going to get you farther.” 38 Studios founder Curt Schilling said that the style of the game would be a marriage between God of War and Oblivion.

Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning

Here is what some international publications have had to say about the game so far:

Joystiq 5/5

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning presents a world that is immaculately crafted and beautiful, yet still simple and accessible. Every corner reveals a person in need, a treasure to collect, a secret to uncover, a battle to wage. I don’t know how much more time I’ll spend in Amalur (dozens? hundreds?), but I plan on savoring every minute.  Read more

IGN 9/10

No matter what you’re looking for, whether it be amazing gameplay, immersive storytelling or perhaps a riveting new world to explore as you fully customize and re-customize your character at will, Reckoning has it all. Read more

1UP B+

Occasionally, Reckoning plays it too safe. As good as the combat is, it cannot make fights against giant rats any more interesting. Crime follows the Fable route of, “if you disappear and come back later, all is forgiven.” Reckoning teases with consequences, but either doesn’t follow through or does so in wacky ways.  Read more

Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning

Gametrailers 82/100

Though it leans a little too heavily on well-trod genre conventions, there’s no denying that Reckoning has a whole lot to offer in terms of sheer breadth. Similarly, though the challenge tapers off dramatically toward the end, its combat is welcoming, gratifying, and hypnotic. Read more

Eurogamer 8/10

Does all the boring, difficult parts of RPG game design very well, and marries them to exceptionally slick combat and a towering stack of stuff to do. This well-oiled machine keeps you motoring through all the sludgy fantasy cliché and through a sluggish first act. Then – just as the world opens out and the story picks up traction – that motor really starts to sing. That’s when a solid, workmanlike game becomes one that’s virtually impossible to put down. Read more

Destructoid 8/10

It’s an honest, undiluted acknowledgement of what Western RPGs are all about, and I can respect that. Rather than try to be too deep or too meaningful, Reckoning simply presents players with a direct feed into the vein of empowerment and expects you to gorge until you’re bursting. While the combat can often undermine that feeling of acquired strength, there’s still enough rousing success to be had that keeps one returning for more. Read more

Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning

Game Informer 8/10

Despite its problems, Reckoning is a good game with a lot of stuff worth checking out. But even with all of the talent backing it, it’s just on the edge of being something much greater than it is. For a game that’s all about breaking out of the confines of fate, it’s a shame that so much of the content feels stuck within such narrow conventions.  Read more

Gamespot 7.5/10

Kingdoms of Amalur’s combat and character advancement are fantastic enough to overshadow how bland everything else is. Read more

G4 TV 5/10

Even with such an elegant combat system, however, Reckoning does not know how to indulge it. The actual combat scenarios themselves are painfully pedantic and lose any surprise after the first few hours of play. Read more

Kingdoms of Amalur will be available on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on Friday, 10 Feb.