I've heard mixed things about Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. Some say it's great, others feel a little disappointed. After spending time with the demo on Xbox Live, I'm not prepared to judge one way or another -- after all, it's a huge RPG that needs more than an hour. Still, I can say this -- I've got a good feeling about it.
At its core, Reckoning is very much a typical open world, hack n' slash RPG. However, it's looking set to be a lovely one. Combat is straightforward, but tight and satisfying. Amalur is, itself, a rather beautiful environment -- very brightly colored, with a unique blend of "realistic" and cartoon-like visuals.
What really intrigues me about the game, however, is the way in which it's added flexibility to a rather rigid, established set of concepts. At its core, there are three basic character types -- your mundane fighter, mage or rogue. However, these character archetypes can be mixed and matched using "Fate" cards that confer special class bonuses and abilities. For example, you could be a straightforward mage or rogue, or you could combine the two to become a stealthy warlock. Or you could mix rogue skills with the fighter's melee abilities to create a lightning-fast bruiser.
Switching up magic, melee and ranged attacks in combat is fluid and simple, and so far I have a hard time deciding what type of combat I like best. I am excited by the prospect of every character type, to say the least.
What Amalur seems to be doing is taking old fashioned ideas and giving them a fresh coat of paint. It's no great revolution, but it is a very promising way of injecting new life into familiar concepts. I'll need to spend more time with the game, which is out next month, but if it lives up to the demo's promise, this is definitely a brand new IP to keep a close eye on in 2012.
Imagine Fable, but better and not full of totally unrealistic promises. That's the vibe I'm getting so far.
Contest:
2:00 PM on 01.17.2012 | 
However, there's nothing special about it (so far) as an IP, and I assume it'll be forgotten later this year.
Not diggin it
"Divinity 2: The Dragon Knight Saga."
i love R.A Salvatore, and spawn art guy(forgot his name) is also a plus for design etc. but i dont know. i just cant see myself playing this over skyrim.... unless the combat/magic/char development is better.
like another person said. if its open world, it better have a good travel system.
I can't wait to get home to download this and try it out.
Curse this country and it's broken government. I JUST WANT TO PLAY SOME DAMN GAMES!
And it isn't shit, that's right peter molyneux! I said it!
no homo? :O
Totally sold!
Also, some have mixed feelings on it? Fuck that noise.
In all seriousness I was looking forward to this game but was disappointed to hear it will only be available on Origin. If it has indeed been confirmed to be available on Steam then there's a good chance I will buy it.
(I'm still hesitant to support EA, on the other hand, I do want to support the devs of the game as I think they're doing something great, and I do want to signal to EA that bringing games to Steam is a good thing.)
Not the 3DS
THAT THING'S A REVOLUTION
Oh yeah... and I second the question about being able to choose gender? (didn't see an answer though I may have missed it).
Hell, if you want a western RPG that actually does something interesting while still having all of the "new" stuff that this game does, go play Divinity 2: Dragon Knight Saga. It's just better all-around and it has the mindreading gimmick.
Honestly? Gameplay can go fuck itself.
FACTS
Oh wait...