Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

[spleen1015]

Comes out tomorrow! Anyone other than MizzouRah and I interested? :D

I just recently started getting info on the game and I am really looking forward to getting my hands on this one. I'm planning on playing Sorcery with my first play through.

[MizzouRah]

Will pick mine up on the way home from work tomorrow and then after the kids go to bed.. make a pot of coffee and off I'll go!

[Atocep]

I have it preordered. The lead dev stating their QA guys fast runs through the game to test the launch build put them at around 200 hours played despite using fast travel at every opportunity, skipping cut scenes, and avoiding combat whenever possible. The main storyline is supposed to take you 30-40 hours. That sold me.

[SackAttack]

I'll be picking it up, but not soon. Poor timing - I'm still meandering my way through Skyrim, and then Mass Effect 3 lands in about a month and I'll be obsessively playing THAT.

Amalur is on the 'after that' list.

[frnk55]

Add me to the list. Any game that will last hours and hours I'm sold. Love that developers are making games longer than 5 hours.

[sabotai]

Looks really cool, but I'm trying to make an effort not to buy video games at full price anymore. I'll wait for it to drop down to the $20-$30 range. (EDIT: CK2 will be exempt from this rule.)

[tyketime]

Looks really cool, but I'm trying to make an effort not to buy video games at full price anymore. I'll wait for it to drop down to the $20-$30 range. (EDIT: CK2 will be exempt from this rule.)
I'm definitely interested as well. But a combo of SWTOR & Skyrim will have me busy for awhile. So I will also probably wait for first sale to hit.

[MizzouRah]

Free DLC upon purchase as well.. 5 more missions!

[Mota]

I'm in. Just trying to figure out whether to get it for PC or 360.

[mckerney]

Day9tv (http://www.twitch.tv/day9tv)

Day[9] is streaming KoA. He talked to Curt Schilling earlier and will interview Todd McFarlane later on.

[MizzouRah]

I just put the game in and 4 hours went by like nothing.. I might be up until 2-3 am tonight. I'm having fun.. the game has definitely drawn me in thus far.

You get sidetracked very easily as there are quests everywhere you go. The combat is just flat out awesome!

[Groundhog]

The screenshots didn't grab me, but reviews all seem good. How's it compare to something like Skyrim?

[mckerney]

The screenshots didn't grab me, but reviews all seem good. How's it compare to something like Skyrim?

It's not all that similar to Skyrim. Kingdoms of Amalur is more of an Action RPG lighter on RPG elements and much more focused on combat. If you're looking for a comparison to another series Fable is probably the closest thing I can think of. Also even though it's an open world game it's not nearly to the scale of a game like Skyrim.

[MizzouRah]

Skyrim didn't grab me for a long period of time, in fact, my neighbor has had my copy for quite some time - I don't have much patience though.. I need constant action. :)

I never played Fable.. but this game is more like a fighting game with RPG elements.

The thing I really like is instead of focusing on one character type to build, I'm a jack of all trades and have been distributing my points amoungst all the classes.

There are some wicked kill scenes though, especially when you use a fate shift to kill someone or sneak up on someone.

It's a lot of action, so it's right up my alley.

[Groundhog]

Ahh gotcha, that's pretty much what I'd expect from the screenshots.

[mckerney]

Skyrim didn't grab me for a long period of time, in fact, my neighbor has had my copy for quite some time - I don't have much patience though.. I need constant action. :)

I never played Fable.. but this game is more like a fighting game with RPG elements.

The thing I really like is instead of focusing on one character type to build, I'm a jack of all trades and have been distributing my points amoungst all the classes.

There are some wicked kill scenes though, especially when you use a fate shift to kill someone or sneak up on someone.

It's a lot of action, so it's right up my alley.

I usually don't like comparing a game directly to another like that, and Fable isn't a perfect comparison but it's the closest I've played. From the demo it felt like a mix between an RPG like Skyrim and an action game like Bayonetta or Darksiders. Not with nearly the RPG depth of Skyrim or combat of Bayonetta, but a fun mix of both.

Day[9] is still playing if you want to watch his stream to get a feel for the game. I enjoyed the demo and it looks like a lot of fun from watching Day[9] earlier, though while still playing through Skyrim and just having started Arkham City I think I'll end of waiting for a sale on it.

[mckerney]

The chakrams look awesome.

[Thomkal]

So how easy/hard is the combat for the less dextrous/no console player? Is it like Skyrim at all?

[MizzouRah]

The chakrams look awesome.

Agreed.. especially the flaming ones. :D

[MizzouRah]

So how easy/hard is the combat for the less dextrous/no console player? Is it like Skyrim at all?

It's a snap.. mainly with how long you hold the attack button. It's not like playing mortal combat.. it's easy to get used to and you don't have to press tons of button combos or anything like that.

They also have a screen that shows the moves you currently have access to. Most are holding the attack button for either your primary or secondary weapon and then letting go, holding RT and then pressing the corresponding button on a menu that pops up to use that type of magic.

Most of the time, you'll just be pressing a button.

[Thomkal]

It's a snap.. mainly with how long you hold the attack button. It's not like playing mortal combat.. it's easy to get used to and you don't have to press tons of button combos or anything like that.

They also have a screen that shows the moves you currently have access to. Most are holding the attack button for either your primary or secondary weapon and then letting go, holding RT and then pressing the corresponding button on a menu that pops up to use that type of magic.

Most of the time, you'll just be pressing a button.

Thanks for that MizzouRah, makes me more interested in the game now.

[MizzouRah]

Thanks for that MizzouRah, makes me more interested in the game now.

I'm 40 and can't do button mashing.. but I feel like a badass in this game. :)

[spleen1015]

I'm 40 and can't do button mashing.. but I feel like a badass in this game. :)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RjF93E4LjlA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Thomkal]

I'm 40 and can't do button mashing.. but I feel like a badass in this game. :)

Well then given my age, that makes me feel even better. :)

[ntndeacon]

They were talking about this on Mike and Mike this morning with Curt Schilling. It sounded interesting.

[MizzouRah]

lol Spleen..

must get to the store to pickup some more coffee for tonights run..

[MizzouRah]

Well then given my age, that makes me feel even better. :)

When my kids rip out my vertebra on Mortal Combat.. I know I've lost my skillz!

[mckerney]

They were talking about this on Mike and Mike this morning with Curt Schilling. It sounded interesting.

Curt Schilling with Day[9].

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UYw3rnxd1vU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And Todd McFarlane.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xwFNHD09-aQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[frnk55]

Can you map buttons on you're mouse? I heard that you can't but can in the demo. Also how about mapping the arrow keys? I'm a arrow man not a wasd dude.
Ok I just read that you can but it's buggy and doesn't work sometimes.
Anyone having any luck on the pc binding their keys?

[MizzouRah]

Damn this game is really excellent. Some really cool mortal combat type fate shift kills.

The game has really opened up and is quite beautiful.

[Vince, Pt. II]

The demo is pretty awesome, I just wish you got to experience a little more of the combat. If I didn't have so many games at the moment, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat. As it is, I'll probably wait a couple months.

[MizzouRah]

The demo is pretty awesome, I just wish you got to experience a little more of the combat. If I didn't have so many games at the moment, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat. As it is, I'll probably wait a couple months.

The retail game has tons and I mean TONS of combat. I've also died quite a bit.. for me, it has a perfect blend of ease/toughness to it. Being able to pay a fateweaver to redistribute your skill points is quite genius.

[Mota]

I'm really enjoying it so far. Found a nice set of armor and it's helped me out A LOT. I seriously doubt it's going to be a 100 hour game for me, but I'm about 4 hours in and still looking forward to playing.

[Qrusher14242]

what a cool game. I'm playing as a Mage with Staffs and it rules. I just unlocked the Quake move, its so cool. I like the combat better than Skyrim. Already put in 17 hours in the last 3 days lol

[Atocep]

The demo really didn't do this game justice. This is a fantastic game with an incredible amount of content. The combat is kind of like a fantasy version of Arkham Asylum/City combat and I'm enjoying it far more than I expected.

FXAA injector makes the game look amazing on the PC.

My only gripe is the field of view is too close for PC gameplay. I ended up downloading widescreenfixer to tweak the field of view to bring it more in line with other PC games.

[Vince, Pt. II]

The combat is kind of like a fantasy version of Arkham Asylum/City combat and I'm enjoying it far more than I expected.

The demo gave me the impression that it was like a mash-up of Batman: Arkham Asylum, God of War and World of Warcraft.

[Galaril]

So I have gone away from playing many games and the Playstation 3 games I had Elder Scrolls Skyrim and Batman Arkham City did not float my boat enough to keep me interested. I took them down to Gamestop and traded them in for Reckoning and played it for 22 hours this past weekend. The game is the most fun I have had since Lord of the Rings Online. In fact, it reminds me alot of that game in it's questing diversity, environments and fun factor though this one is more fun that LOTRO. It also takes some of the best parts of Skyrim, Fable, Gods of War and Warcraft. Does it have flaws sure. I don't like me that I can't access the map without open the menu and click maps. I don't like that my characters umbrage is a 1 to 1 instead of based on weight instead on item count. It seems that the NPCs of the world don't always remember what I did previous. I love the diversity of enemies and locations which was the biggest things that had me bored with Skyrim after 30-40 hours of playing. The game has a real one more hour addictiveness to it and I love that you can accomplish things pretty quickly. That being said in 22 hours of playing I have explored maybe 15-20% of the world. The world of Amalur is gigantic and should give me close to 150+ hours of play. By the time I have played this one I can hope which I expect a expansion to be on the way.

[jeff061]

So now I need to figure out which to purchase first, Skyrim or this. I wasn't expecting Schilling to pull it off, a pleasant surprise.

[Galaril]

I will add that for a 40 something guy with two younger kids and a full plate career this game is perfect as I mentioned you can get alot done in a short time. I played it for two hours last night and was able to knock off a bunch of different quests, progress the main story line and explore a bit more. Skyrim is a great world for sheer detail and size but if you didn't like previous elder Scrolls games likely Skyrim won't change that even though it is the best of the series I think.

[MizzouRah]

Agree on all points Galaril.. this game is FANTASTIC.

[mckerney]

The demo really didn't do this game justice. This is a fantastic game with an incredible amount of content. The combat is kind of like a fantasy version of Arkham Asylum/City combat and I'm enjoying it far more than I expected.

FXAA injector makes the game look amazing on the PC.

My only gripe is the field of view is too close for PC gameplay. I ended up downloading widescreenfixer to tweak the field of view to bring it more in line with other PC games.

An option to change FOV will be included in a config file. (http://forums.reckoning.amalur.com/showthread.php?2485-Your-feedback!-(particularly-camera)&p=94298&viewfull=1#post94298) Great to see, though it's really something that should be included on launch for games and as a menu. Would be great to see an option on the settings menu to have default values you can chose for monitor or TV play (would be great for those who switch between both), plus a range you can customize the setting to.

Here's a vid on Darkness 2 which also shipped without a customizable FoV option about why it should be a standard option for games on PC.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DPDq_qvsKUA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[heybrad]

This game may go down as one of my favorite games of all time. I'm loving the combat and the visuals on a 'fate kill' are spectacular. I'm debating on whether or not to start over and try it as a mage. I'm further than I've ever been in a game like this and not quite ready to give it up. The world is huge though.

[Galaril]

This game may go down as one of my favorite games of all time. I'm loving the combat and the visuals on a 'fate kill' are spectacular. I'm debating on whether or not to start over and tried it as a mage. I'm further than I've ever been in a game like this and not quite ready to give it up. The world is huge though.

Brad same here I have put in 35 hours and am only playing the game on casual and love the world story and quests. I know others maybe of a more refined geek level than me and have a host of issues like the quests are not that diverse issues with the inventory story is boring , world not unique enough but for me the game is really good. Most of the complaints boil down in my mind similar to Han Solo shooting Greedo the bounty hunter in Tatooine changes". I think folks are either going to love this game or hate it. Also, this is the furthest I have gone in any RPG and there is still 70% of the world left;)

[MizzouRah]

This game may go down as one of my favorite games of all time. I'm loving the combat and the visuals on a 'fate kill' are spectacular. I'm debating on whether or not to start over and try it as a mage. I'm further than I've ever been in a game like this and not quite ready to give it up. The world is huge though.

Don't need to start over.. find a fateweaver and reallocate your points/skills.

[heybrad]

Don't need to start over.. find a fateweaver and reallocate your points/skills.
Very interesting. I'll look into this.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Hey Brad!

I'm also really enjoying the game and I haven't even scratched the surface with the main storyline. I'm also finding the scenery to be top notch. Did a side quest early on in some Coil-something-or-other place, and the cave was absolutely fantastic looking. The payoff at the end was a tremendously fun fight as well.

[CleBrownsfan]

I'm waiting for this to be discounted on Steam. So if any of you see it on sale please tell :)

[mckerney]

I'm waiting for this to be discounted on Steam. So if any of you see it on sale please tell :)

I'm waiting for one too. Really looking forward to playing this and probably would have bought it at full price if Mass Effect 3 weren't coming out soon, so I'll be looking for one and sure to post here and the game discounts thread once there's a deal on it.

[Lonnie]

I bought my nephew Batman Arkham City for his birthday. He is 9 and it was a little too involved for him so I took him to Gamestop and he picked out Skate 3 which was only $20, so since I had $40 to use for a game I picked up Reckoning for my 360. I had played the demo on PC and it didn't grab me too hard. So now I'll give it a go again and see if there is something beyond the demo area that grabs me.

I'll surely be going tank or mage or a mix of both, because the dodgy roll out fo the way God of War type stuff doesn't appeal to me so much.

[Radii]

I'm waiting for this to be discounted on Steam. So if any of you see it on sale please tell :)

yep, its definitely a game I want to play but I'm in no rush, a bit of an RPG break after putting so much time into Skyrim is probably good anyway, I will definitely pick it up on the first sale though.

[mckerney]

The Legend Of Dead Kel Expands Amalur By 15% | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/02/29/the-legend-of-dead-kel-expands-amalur-by-15/)

First DLC for KoA announced.

[Galaril]

The Legend Of Dead Kel Expands Amalur By 15% | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/02/29/the-legend-of-dead-kel-expands-amalur-by-15/)

First DLC for KoA announced.

Wow real nice a new DLC adds 15% $10 is abit steep as the game was 60 but I guess 15% is about right $9 is 15% of $60. I hope they do increase the level cap though.

[Qrusher14242]

i just ran into a bad bug. I'n on the Hosue of Ballads part and on the quest 'Cursed Kingdom'.

That lady said i had to go to see the Chancellor of Weddemore(sp?), Segrall. But whenever i go to him, he starts to act like i want to kill him and i can't complete the quest. I have a save, but its from an hour before. Kinda sucks, but i guess that save file got messed up.

I just hope it doesnt happen again.

[tyketime]

I got an Email this morning showing KoA at 30% off on Amazon for PC version only ( physical game, not digital download).

[mckerney]

I got an Email this morning showing KoA at 30% off on Amazon for PC version only ( physical game, not digital download).

Both the physical copy and the digital download activate on Origin, so either way you'll get a digital download copy.

[mckerney]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GnCcY0_6fBI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Legend of Dead Kel trailer, it launches tomorrow and hopefully there will be a sale to coincide with the DLC release.

[MizzouRah]

Oh yeah mckerney! I need to stop playing The Show and get on with KOA so I can get this DLC.

[mckerney]

Save 33% on Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning™ on Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/102500/)

With new DLC out today KOA is 33% off on Steam for the next few days. Base game is $40.19, if you buy it with all the DLC it's $53.59.

[CleBrownsfan]

hmmm - tempting

[Thomkal]

Fans of this game might want to check out this link, a MMO based in the world of the original game.

Project Copernicus Revealed - IGN (http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/18/project-copernicus-revealed)

[Grover]

Report: Schilling’s Video Game Company Lays Off All Staff | TPMMuckraker (http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/report_schillings_video_game_company_lays_off_all.php)

That's too bad. I mean, they were stupid to take those loans just to move states, but KOAR is a very good game.

[mckerney]

Report: Schilling’s Video Game Company Lays Off All Staff | TPMMuckraker (http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/report_schillings_video_game_company_lays_off_all.php)

That's too bad. I mean, they were stupid to take those loans just to move states, but KOAR is a very good game.

It probably wasn't a good plan to do such a large scale MMO project right out of the gates. Even if they had been able to make it to release they probably would have had a hard time making it profitable. The market is already pretty full and even the big games like WoW and TOR are struggling.

Plus they had a pretty large staff for a company with a well received but not amazingly successful game sales wise. I think I had read that the loan from Rhode Island committed to them having 400 full time employees before Copernicus would have launched. For comparison I believe Valve has around 250-300 employees.

[Thomkal]

Fans of this game might want to check out this link, a MMO based in the world of the original game.

Project Copernicus Revealed - IGN (http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/18/project-copernicus-revealed)

Hmmm my post might win the FOFC Bad Timing Award. :) Sorry obviously didn't know anything about the financial troubles.

[Grover]

It's disappointing. I watched the video this morning, the world looks stunning.

[mckerney]

It's disappointing. I watched the video this morning, the world looks stunning.

Rhode Island will own the IP, maybe they'll finished up the game. :)

Best case scenario is probably a decent dev being able to buy the project at a good price from Rhode Island if the state wants to just get something and sell cheap. Hopefully they won't be looking to recoup all of their losses. (http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/if-38-studios-collapses-rhode-island-taxpayers-owe-112-6-milli/)

[Mota]

I'm not sure how much "generic fantasy world" is worth. I enjoyed KOA but it's not exactly the most original land ever. It was the RPG I play when I'm tired so I don't have to think too much. At this point it has been replaced in that category by Diablo 3 for me.

Obviously these guys had no concept of managing their costs. KOA did sell pretty well. It's not Call of Duty or Halo, it did well for the type of game it is.

[mckerney]

Some developer might be interested in picking up and finishing the product, could be a good deal if they can get a partially finished game at the right price. Probably not worth a big investment even for someone who can afford it though.

I think 38 may also own the rights to Rise of Nations, would be nice to see someone pick that up and do something with it. I'm sure EA could turn it into an awesome third person cover shooter.

[Grover]

Former Boston Red Sox Curt Schilling says baseball fortune is all gone after company crash - ESPN Boston (http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8084138/former-boston-red-sox-curt-schilling-says-baseball-fortune-all-gone-company-crash)

Shocking, it's all RI Gov. Lincoln Chafee's fault that Schilling took those massive loans and his company failed.