Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning [Archive] - HissTank.com

Troynos

01-16-2012, 02:49 PM

Reckoning - an open-world role-playing game | Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (http://reckoning.amalur.com/)

Anyone going to be getting this?

I'm currently playing/loving Skyrim and this seems like it would be a nice game to pick up afterwards.

This is the universe that R.A. Salvatore and Todd McFarlane created for an upcoming MMORPG set in the same universe. Curt Schilling owns the company that owns the properties.

The guy behind Reckoning developed both Morrowind and Oblivion.

I love open world RPGs.

Troynos

01-17-2012, 08:34 AM

No one?

Arashikage39

01-17-2012, 10:48 AM

I'm very interested, sounds like everything that I wanted "Dragon Age 2" to be. And from what I've seen in the previews it looks pretty awesome. Here's to hoping that you can make your character look like a samurai/ronin lol.

Troynos

01-17-2012, 10:51 AM

Is the character interaction on the level of Dragon Age though?

Arashikage39

01-17-2012, 10:57 AM

From what I've seen on IGN your choices don't seem to affect the world as much, and not sure if you have constant companions. Which for me is a good thing because I hated the way DA2 went about that...

Troynos

01-17-2012, 10:58 AM

That's the whole point of Dragon Age though, what makes it different from the other RPGs out there.

Skyrim is awesome with the sheer size of the world, but it's lacking in the character interaction and choices affecting the world.

Arashikage39

01-17-2012, 11:09 AM

I was expecting it to be morel like Mass Effect 2 but yeah, I was wrong there, companion/team relationships were way more touchy in my eyes.

"Reckoning" is really tempting me with it's combat though, not being restricted to a certain class sounds pretty great.

Troynos

01-17-2012, 11:12 AM

I loved DA's aspect of working with one companion can piss off another so they leave. It adds a whole other level of complication to the game.

I love Skyrim, but it's still pretty run-of-the-mill.

Arashikage39

01-17-2012, 11:20 AM

Haha, that's what made me turn it in for another game a week later. When I saw that happening I was all WTF... I learned I should stay away from that series.

I hope that "Reckoning" is customizable to the point where I can make Gatsu from "Berserk", haha.

Iron Guru

01-17-2012, 06:53 PM

Jmacq1

01-17-2012, 10:56 PM

The demo is supposed to be released today. I believe it's been posted already in another thread, but if you beat the demo you get gear for Mass Effect 3. If you beat the demo for Mass Effect 3 you get gear for Kingdoms of Amalur.

I've heard two different things: One that if you beat the Mass Effect 3 demo you get KoA gear, and another that all you have to do is have Mass Effect save data on your account/computer/console and it'll unlock stuff for KoA.

We'll see, I suppose. :)

Troynos

01-18-2012, 07:53 AM

Anyone play the demo yet?

Iron Guru

01-19-2012, 06:53 PM

Anyone play the demo yet?

No not yet, probably tonight if not then maybe the weekend.

Troynos

01-20-2012, 08:10 AM

Yeah, I'm hoping to try it tonight or tomorrow night.

Troynos

01-21-2012, 02:21 PM

Pissed. The demo is Xbox Gold Live members only. That's stupid.

Black Llama

01-21-2012, 02:23 PM

I was looking at this. I'll try the demo tonight :D

I haven't played an MMORPG in years, 2 of my good friends have me hooked on LOTRO though. Very large world to quest in. A lot of solo stuff, and some fun group/team quests.

Arashikage39

01-22-2012, 09:16 PM

Played the demo this morning, I liked it but I'm still debating whether I should go reserve a copy to get all the extra armor... I hope the final version isn't as glitchy as it was in my demo playthrough.

Troynos

01-23-2012, 08:09 AM

Llama, the MMO is coming, this is a single person RPG like Skyrim.

I'm still pissed that the demo is XBOX Gold Live only. That's just stupid.

Jmacq1

01-23-2012, 08:22 AM

I dunno. I played the demo and was underwhelmed. Looks gorgeous and the combat plays smoothly, but something was missing that I can't quite put my finger on.

Oh yeah...character. Your main character is the "heroic mute" sort that appears to have no discernible personality whatsoever. Even his dialogue choices are utterly bland and straightforward (and not voiced). So you're trying to base this very massive RPG on the shoulders of a character that has less personality than the Master Chief in the first HALO game. Yawn.

There's a lot here that seems like it would be worthy of exploring (the crafting system, the action-y combat system, the level-up system, etc...) but for me, if I can't care about the characters, I'm ultimately not going to care about the game (at least if it's a game that at least makes a token effort at having a plot). This is probably why I never tend to play Bethesda Games (Fallout 3/New Vegas, Oblivion, Skyrim) longer than a week or two at most...and then only if there isn't something else to occupy my time.

If I had to sum the game up in a short sentence, I'd say: "It's what you'd get if Oblivion and Fable got it on and made a baby." If you like both Oblivion and Fable, you'll probably like this.

Your mileage may vary. As with the Bethesda RPGs, there's a lot here that's worthy of consideration, but depending on how you like your games, it's rather flawed. Still, regardless of my lackluster opinion, it's a very impressive first-effort from this developer.

Troynos

01-23-2012, 10:25 AM

I tend to play games on the easier settings and it's because I'm playing them for the story, most of the time. I don't like FPS, I like RPG.

Dragon Age have been my favorite games because the emphasis is on the character.

I like Skyrim's immense and open world. The quests are interesting and varied enough and there is a ton to do. But it's lacking in the character department.

Combine Dragon Age's characters/story/interactivity with the size of Skyrim's world and you'd have my ultimate game.

Arashikage39

01-25-2012, 10:59 PM

Played through the demo 2 more times, switching from an Almain to a Varani and that made a huge difference to me.

Yup, I need to go reserve this game now. After unlocking some new moves, combat started feeling like "Mark of Kri", one of my favorite PS2 games.

From the demo I really hate wolves and trolls... Speedy little bastards...

Troynos

01-26-2012, 07:52 AM

I'm still pissed that have to be an XBox Live Gold member to download the demo.

Stupidest thing I've ever heard.

Talisman

01-28-2012, 02:11 PM

My experience with the Demo is sort of mixed. I'm with Jmacq, the main character is rather... flat. There's a right-ish way to do a heroic mute (DAO's Warden), and then there's... this.

The game as a whole strikes me as a combination of Fable, WoW, and the Elder Scrolls. It's an interesting mix, I can't quite break it down to specifics though. The combat is similar to Fable, but SO much more satisfying, not to mention I CAN USE A GODDAMN SHIELD. The way they resolve the ammo issue for bows is a nice change, too- instead of carrying a finite amount of arrows or giving you as many as you can spam, your quiver carries a few at a time and regenerates after a few seconds- it's a bit like reloading a magazine in a shooter. And the spells are just... so.. for lack of a better word, meaty.

My problems came from dialogue skipping and cutting out, and the game freezing on me when my 45 minutes of free play ran out (I guess). But then I did play it on the day it came out, so that might have something to do with it.

Overall I might have to pick this up- but I also have to finish paying off my ME3 preorder.

Arashikage39

02-08-2012, 03:27 PM

Been playing it for a while now and I love it, combat is waaay too fun for a rpg., haha.

Future Press sucks though because the strategy guide doesn't come out until the 24th over here, seriously way too freakin long especially for a game like this where there is so much to make/do.

bantor2

02-08-2012, 04:21 PM

i'm definitely in if R.A. Salvatore and Todd McFarlane created the world. Should be pretty insane then. Also Kurt Schiling is one of the biggest nerds around. I don't think he'd greenlight a crappy game, but i could be wrong.

Weapon XIX

02-14-2012, 03:25 PM

I'm really loving this game! I'm not very far into it but I'm really impressed. It may look more cartoony, but it really gives Skyrim some competition. There's a ton of freedom to play the way you want in terms of mixing classes and specializations, but the combat makes it way more fun. I love that I can dual-wield with fae blades and easily switch to long range chakrams then switch to magic attacks and still dodge and use a shield. I'm having trouble building skills because I want to improve everything, not just one class, so I've got points spread all over might, finesse, and magic.

And the world is pretty expansive - I've barely made a dent in the map. And it's hard to go anywhere without running into a new sidequest.

What's great is that is a really accessible RPG, but almost everything RPG enthusiasts would want is in there. Part of me wishes there was the same intense companion relationships like in the Dragon Age series, but the combat is so damn fun I would almost hate to have a full party fighting by my side.

My next step is to get myself a house so I can use the storage chest - I've got some loot I've been really hesitant to sell/destroy and really want to hold on to it for a little while longer.

Arashikage39

02-15-2012, 08:19 PM

My next step is to get myself a house so I can use the storage chest - I've got some loot I've been really hesitant to sell/destroy and really want to hold on to it for a little while longer.

Get to Cannerok and do the missions there, you'll be rewarded with a house at the end.

I love the game too, most fun I've had in a game in a long time, right now I am longsword + greatsword, used to be daggers/faeblades + great sword. Full Might for me haha.

Talisman

02-15-2012, 08:30 PM

Well, you guys have me convinced. If I can gather enough scratch I plan on picking this up when I get my copy of ME3. Might wind up trading Battlefield and/or Modern Warfare as well.

pig iron grenadier

02-15-2012, 09:04 PM

Hmmmmm...thsi is getting more interesting..I downloaded the demo, but haven't gotten around to it yet...

Iron Guru

02-15-2012, 09:16 PM

Hmmmmm...thsi is getting more interesting..I downloaded the demo, but haven't gotten around to it yet...

Same here, although I'm a bit concerned about a review I saw for it that didn't give it a good score.

Talisman

02-15-2012, 09:34 PM

Same here, although I'm a bit concerned about a review I saw for it that didn't give it a good score.

You wouldn't happen to remember who it was, would you?

Iron Guru

02-15-2012, 09:48 PM

You wouldn't happen to remember who it was, would you?

It was X-Play. For it's worth they gave it a 2.5 out of 5. From what I can remember, basically some of the reasoning for the score was because, your told how important you are and how you can shape the future because you have no fate. Throughout the story you’re told this over and over, but you don't feel like your doing anything special or out of the ordinary.

Talisman

02-15-2012, 09:54 PM

Jmacq1

02-16-2012, 08:07 AM

It was X-Play. For it's worth they gave it a 2.5 out of 5. From what I can remember, basically some of the reasoning for the score was because, your told how important you are and how you can shape the future because you have no fate. Throughout the story you’re told this over and over, but you don't feel like your doing anything special or out of the ordinary.

That's true, and definitely a flaw in the game. You keep getting told how you're "changing everything" but apart from some slightly different dialogue in places (which admittedly, is a nice touch, but still just a minimum effort) you don't really see much changing. I don't think it'd be -that- hard to code in "if event "A" has occurred, then "B" should stop spawning in this area" for example.

For instance, many of the quests more or less have you doing the typical "clear out an area around a town/settlement to make it peaceful again" shtick. Only once you finish all the quests, the folks in town talk about how peaceful everything is now...while there's just as many monsters (of the same type) as before lurking just outside the town.

I get that they want to have mobs out there so people can grind them for loot/XP, but surely there could be a little more done to make it feel like you're actually changing the world.

It's not a bad game, not by a long shot. For a "first effort" it's damn-near astounding (VERY well-polished), but it's definitely got some rough edges that could be sanded down.

Weapon XIX

02-18-2012, 03:54 PM

Jmacq1

02-19-2012, 12:47 AM

I get that criticism, but I do like xp farming. And when certain quest lines are done there are noticeable consequence - just not major ones. I can't speak for the majority of the game, though, as I'm over 25 hrs in and still doing all the quests west of Ysa which I haven't even gotten to yet. I was sort of expecting this game to be like Dungeon Siege 3 and I'm very glad it isn't. If it was I'd be close to done by now.

Yeah, this is a huge time sink. I'm 32 hours in and only just made it to Ysa in the main story, and still have plenty of quests in Dalentarth to finish up even if I've explored (read: sprinted through other areas to get to) as far as Rathir and Adessa.

And really...you don't need to XP farm in this game. You end up more than halfway to the level cap before you even leave Dalentarth on quest XP and incidental combat alone.

In short there's likely way more content than needed just to "max out" your character. Which does lead to another problem: With the availability of on-demand respeccing, I suspect this game has next to zero replay value, especially if you're a completist. Hopefully some good DLC expansions are on the way.

Troynos

02-20-2012, 10:20 AM

Still have yet to play and I want to. I still havent' finished Skyrim. Haven't gamed in about a month.

Talisman

02-25-2012, 09:08 PM

I got this the other day when I went to trade in Modern Warfare 3 for Mass Effect 3 (thus maintaining the balance of the universe, hur hur); I somehow managed to get the GameStop guy to give me a code for the preorder bonuses on top of it, so that was pretty sweet.

Anyway, as for the game itself, I absolutely love it. I'm about level 9-10 and tearing around with some pretty nice gear- I found enough purples in under an hour to earn the "Blades of Glory" achievement. This really is a great game, especially for a brand new IP.

Jmacq1

02-26-2012, 12:01 AM

Arashikage39

02-28-2012, 06:58 PM

Beat it a few days ago and loved every minute of it. On my second playthrough, was going to try a mixed class/different class but I haven't had my fill of Might yet, especially now that I have the controls and timing down it's waaay too fun. Not sure which class I should try next, mage/might, finesse/might, or either finesse or mage.

Steelgrave

03-04-2012, 06:36 AM

I played the demo (to get the Mass Effect 3 items) & thought it was pretty stupid & crappy.

Dragon's Dogma looks much better.

boff123

03-04-2012, 10:53 AM

yeah me too. its okay.

Arashikage39

03-04-2012, 05:30 PM

I played the demo (to get the Mass Effect 3 items) & thought it was pretty stupid & crappy.

Dragon's Dogma looks much better.

I can understand that even though I love the game. Especially at levels below 20.

To me, it feels kind of like Dynasty Warriors for some reason, and yes I am one of those people that loved the PS2 and the last PS3 Dynasty Warriors game, haha. Also, loot is always cool.

Jmacq1

03-05-2012, 01:26 PM

I can understand that even though I love the game. Especially at levels below 20.

To me, it feels kind of like Dynasty Warriors for some reason, and yes I am one of those people that loved the PS2 and the last PS3 Dynasty Warriors game, haha. Also, loot is always cool.

It's really just a funky fusion of Oblivion/Skyrim (huge world with fairly detailed crafting systems), Fable (The combat and art design), and Diablo minus the multiplayer (random loot drops).

Troynos

03-05-2012, 01:51 PM

It's really just a funky fusion of Oblivion/Skyrim (huge world with fairly detailed crafting systems), Fable (The combat and art design), and Diablo minus the multiplayer (random loot drops).

Definately need to find the time to play it then, as I liked all those games (except Diablo, never played).

Arashikage39

03-19-2012, 10:33 PM

Can't wait for the DLC tomorrow!

Troynos

03-28-2012, 03:11 PM

Friend at work just got it used and went out and bought the strategy guide.

Flipped through the guide...

Holy crap it seems to be a pretty deep game.

Jmacq1

03-29-2012, 11:10 AM

Friend at work just got it used and went out and bought the strategy guide.

Flipped through the guide...

Holy crap it seems to be a pretty deep game.

There's definitely a lot to do. It's not a short or small game by any stretch.

Talisman

05-24-2012, 07:59 PM

Bad news out of 38 Studios...

The Escapist : News : UPDATE: Senior Executives Flee 38 Studios (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/117423-UPDATE-Senior-Executives-Flee-38-Studios)

The future of Amalur seems... dim.

MeLikeJinx

05-24-2012, 11:09 PM

Yup. It's pretty much over for Curt Schillings game studio... no way their MMO is gonna make it now. KoAR sold pretty decent numbers for a new IP too I think... too bad.

BEAM

05-24-2012, 11:15 PM

The company is done and the State of Rhode Island taxpayers will be covering the debt thanks to a guaranteed $75 million loan through the Rhode Island Economic Development Corperation. Fucking politicians were awed by Curt and his bloody sock.

Schilling's 38 Studios Lays Off All Employees | WPRI.com (http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/providence/providence-38-studios-lays-off-all-employees)

netkid

05-25-2012, 01:10 AM

The state of my State is FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU...

Arashikage39

05-25-2012, 04:44 AM

This makes me sad, loved this game.

Jmacq1

06-04-2012, 12:34 PM

Hope is not completely lost:

Epic Games Saves Kingdoms of Amalur Developer - IGN (http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/03/epic-games-saves-kingdoms-of-amalur-developer)

Arashikage39

06-05-2012, 12:11 AM

Hope is not completely lost:

Epic Games Saves Kingdoms of Amalur Developer - IGN (http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/03/epic-games-saves-kingdoms-of-amalur-developer)

Saw that the other day, I really hope they decide to use the team to make a game that uses/improves Amalurs mechanics for another RPG.

MeLikeJinx

07-23-2012, 08:43 PM

IMO a fascinating article about the demise of 38 studios: End Game: Inside the Destruction of Curt Schillings' 38 Studios (http://www.bostonmagazine.com/articles/2012/07/38-studios-end-game/print/) According to Schilling they were a day away from signing a deal to make the sequel to KoA:R. But from reading that article you can tell that from the very beginning Kurt Schilling was way over his head.

BEAM

07-23-2012, 09:04 PM

Not sure I believe Curt Shilling. If they were a day away from making a deal and could prove that to the State of Rhode Island, there would not have been an issue. The problem is they ran out of money and couldn't get another investor. They wanted the State to front more money without a single payment.

Schilling was over his head and took a hard fall.