Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

[goh]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

By playing the Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo,gamers will receive two unlocks for Mass Effect 3 when the highly anticipated game releases on March 6, 2012, both designed by the renowned creator of Spawn, Todd McFarlane:

• Reckoner Knight Armor: This armor will maximize damage done in close-quarters combat while a beefed–up power cell feeds energy into weapon systems to increase projectile velocity.


• The Chakram Launcher: This weapon uses a fabricator to manufacture lightweight, explosive ammunition discs. This weapon is earned after completing the Reckoning demo and watching the trailer at the end.


By playing the upcoming Mass Effect 3 demo, fans will unlock the following items for Reckoning when the game launches on February 7, inspired by Mass Effect:

• N7 Armor: Players can unlock special armor inspired by Commander Shepard’s iconic N7 battle armor including Helm, Cuirass, Gauntlets, Chausses and Greaves.


• Onmiblade Daggers: A holographic blade stemming from Commander Shepard’s Omni-Tool, the Omni-blade allows players to stab enemies in close combat. Once players install and play the Mass Effect 3 demo, they will unlock the daggers.


The Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo features the introduction to the game, allowing players to experience the game’s Tutorial Mode and a portion of its large, open world. Players will create and customize their hero and drop right into the action. Once players master the basics, they will have 45 minutes to explore the vast world of Amalur and begin to embark upon a quest that could redefine their character’s destiny forever.

http://www.gamebanshee.com/news/106360-kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-demo-officially-confirmed-comes-with-mass-effect-3-cross-promotion-items.html

[Flawless]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

IGN: Reckoning Review in Progress

Dense. That's the first word that will likely come to your mind when you go through the introductory dungeon of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and finally find yourself outside, free to explore to your heart's content.

There are four classes available to you. The Almain get bonuses to persuasion, alchemy and blacksmithing. The Varani get a boost to mercantile, detect hidden and lockpicking. Ljosalfar are buffed-out in sagecraft, dispelling and alchemy. And finally, the Dokkalfar get a helping hand with sagecraft, stealth and persuasion. My character is a male Varani. "Hardened by the high seas," explains the game, "the Varani are just as frequently pirates and mercenaries as they are shrewd merchants. They favor swords and daggers as seaworthy weapons." That cursory story, combined with the bonuses the Varani get, made it an easy choice for me.

But I learned a great deal about playing Reckoning from the game's dungeon-based introduction, too. Because Reckoning and Skyrim are being compared quite a bit (they're both fantasy-based RPGs released around the same time), it's worth noting that Reckoning's combat is far, far stronger than Skyrim's. The game feels tighter, and you'll no doubt feel more in control.

Reckoning allows you to get right into the action without having to overthink anything. Better yet, the game isn't bogged-down with subpar combat. The brilliance of the game's fighting mechanics shines through immediately, and persists as one of the things I'm most impressed about with the game at this early stage of my play through.

Reckoning makes equipping the best possible gear easy, and the game also makes navigating your inventory simple. You'll quickly understand the game's weight and encumbrance system, which isn't as convoluted or obnoxious as it can be in other like-minded titles. And because you're given so many options in what you can equip, you'll find a deep level of customization worthy of your appreciation, as well.

That customization rests at the heart of Reckoning, especially in terms of two of the game's fundamentals: Abilities and Destinies. Reckoning doesn't bind you in and lock you down to one path and one path only. Your character, unlike everyone around you in the game world, doesn't yet have a destiny written for him or her. That means that your destiny can essentially be written and rewritten on the fly.

By dumping points into the sub-categories under the Sorcery, Might and Finesse monikers, you can make your character better at whatever you want, even if you're concentrating on something else entirely. For instance, you can improve your spellcraft under Sorcery even if your character wields a sword and bashes dudes' heads in with his hammer. Likewise, your Destiny can be written and rewritten when you level up, giving you bonuses that will help you do what you do best, but not necessarily tethering you only to that path.

The idea here revolves around the notion that if you're going to spend scores and scores of hours with an adventure like Reckoning, you should be able to choose different paths as you go so that you don't become tired or bored with a more static character or class. This novel approach to RPG gaming is certainly worthy of praise, but just how well it works remains to be seen, as I just haven't had a chance to explore this aspect of the game very much yet.

Indeed, there remains plenty that I still have to delve into with Reckoning. But if I can tell you one thing based solely on my brief experience with the final build of the game so far, it's that there's plenty to be excited about with Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. Whether or not the final product, dozens and dozens of game hours from now, lives up to what I've seen and done so far remains to be seen, but what I've seen and done so far is impressive.

RPG fans and fantasy lovers take note, and definitely come back next week for a more in-depth look at Reckoning, including details on questing and side-questing, item creation and exploration.

[choadler]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

IGN: Reckoning Review in Progress

I am watching this close. The combat is drawing me in.

[CC]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Pre-ordered this today. Going to be my first purchase of 2012.

Should tide me over until Mass Effect, and hopefully beyond.

[TeddyKGB]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Soul Calibur V and then this, a week apart. Great way to star 2012!

[Candyman5]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

I know there are lot of towns and dungeons, but I just never got the impression it was open world like Skyrim. Like, Fable is an open world yeah, but when you're in certain areas you're walking a narrow path to your objective. As far as making it into a demo they'll probably just let you play certain quests taken out of context of the main game and allow you to play through them with some kind of pre-set character.

They could also go the timer route (Crackdown 2).

Timer Glitch ftw!

[Flawless]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

The demo will have a 45 minute timer to explore once you finish the tutorial dungeon.

...

30 minute preview:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OxKEwgCR1CY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[choadler]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

This game is seriously flying under the radar big time. I am surprised more people aren't talking about this game. As far as I can tell from reading on the forums and on the official game site, these are some of the things to look forward to:

1. Open World
2. 128 Combat areas and dungeons
3. Action style combat - this has me the most excited as sometimes I find Skyrim's physical combat (sword play) to be a little bland and unsatisfying.
4. A la Skyrim - can have any playstyle you want through a mix of different abilities.

This is slowly creeping up as a day one purchase, if the demo draws me in.

[Flawless]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Forum member:

With EA trying to establish Origin as an alternative to Steam, I wouldn't put too much hope of seeing KoAR on Steam before release day. If it does happen it will most likely be well after launch (Battlefield 3 is still MIA)

Curt Schilling:

That would be incorrect With some hand wrangling, we were able to semi-negotiate our own Steam deal, I say semi because obviously we didn't have free reign to do it, not yet....

Forum member:

Sure you would always want the numbers higher, but they don't look bad at all. With the new IP and light advertising, this is not a heavy preorder game. Word of mouth will cause this games sales to explode similar to how Demon Souls became a sleeper hit.

Curt Schilling:

Made a pretty BIG BET on that very thing happening. For us to compete, to truly get on the playing field, we need Reckoning to sell like crazy.

My bet is that the lack of awareness and first day sales will get made up by word of mouth after launch. We believe the game is that good.

We banked on it.

[goh]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Demo is going to be on Origin in case PC people are wondering where to get it.

[Cubfan]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

demo is up on xbl right now. So far so good i like the graphics the colors are bright and nice to look at. The combat is fluid and fun.

[choadler]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

I was hoping the PC demo was up so I could start the download before I go to work.

[Mbalmer]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Anyone played the demo yet? I am at work and just wondering what you thought. Leave impressions. Thanks.

[Spongedaddy]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Anyone played the demo yet? I am at work and just wondering what you thought. Leave impressions. Thanks.

I think if Fable and the Elder Scrolls had a baby it would be this game. I played through the tutorial dungeon and really enjoyed it. I like that it has that open ended character building model.

[Tomba]

Re: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

This game has no real identity. Part Fable part torchlight and part oblivan with a weird design element leads me unimpressed when comparing to what i have planned in this genre.

There are two things though that i'd wish more game implemented that ive seen here for the first time.

the camera. the camera DURING battles is VERY good even if you are behind an enemy etc.

arrow and magic play. feels good to shoot a bow and shoot magic now


other than that/ everything a bit blah and too Fable for me