MoviePage

I think we may need a separate thread for this discussion.

Setzer

Played through the demo and enjoyed it. It's kinda like mixing a little Skyrim + WoW + Dragon Age together. I'll pick it up eventually but I've been juggling my time between Skyrim and Old Republic.

foxdvd

I had to jump on that newegg deal....and the ign preview got me excited...

Fandango

Now that that is all over with, can we get back to how 2 different people have stated they think it is better than Skyrim. That is some high praise.

covenant

As far as combat is concerned I can sorta see their point. Elder Scrolls melee combat is pretty lackluster.

Looking at the ign comments section for that link that was posted earlier (I got dumber by the minute reading them), it looks like opinion is divided between console and pc players.

Decker

IGN's Early review


Closing Comments

I'll come right out and say it: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning will be discussed when Game of the Year 2012 rolls around. It has brought the conversation about what combat can be in the role-playing genre to the forefront and sets the bar exceptionally high for its future contemporaries in the genre. But don't let its competition-shaming gameplay lull you into think that that's all this game has to offer, because that's just gloss on an overall package that's bound to impress the RPG faithful.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning isn't the perfect game. Its random technical hiccups and inconsistent art style certainly holds it back from even higher levels of greatness. But 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. And after I jump back into my own game to clean up all of the optional stuff I didn't do, I sense I'll want even more. And yes, so will you.
IGN Ratings for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (PS3)
Rating Description
out of 10 Click here for ratings guide
8.5 Presentation
Amalur totes an impressive story penned by one of the great fantasy authors of our time, and it takes place in a fantastic fictional world. It’s complex and hard to follow at times, though.
8.0 Graphics
Beautiful environments and solid animations are marred by fairly shoddy-looking character models. I wish lip-syncing was more on-point during dialogue.
8.0 Sound
Music is sparse, but the voice-acting is well-executed and really adds a great deal to the story. Characters have a lot to say, and that’s a good thing.
9.5 Gameplay
The bread and butter of the game. Reckoning sets the bar very high for other games moving forward, and is an absolute pleasure to play.
9.5 Lasting Appeal
I hope you have a hell of a lot of time on your hands, because Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning will require all of it for the foreseeable future.
9.0
OVERALL

Amazing
(out of 10)

MoviePage

Saw this quote from the lead designer earlier today on Kotaku:
He was questioning whether they might have overdone it.

Groucho

I'm confused by that quote without any context...is he saying that it would take 200 hours to do a speed run on this game?

MoviePage

Yes.

Noonan

Anyone else picking up a copy today? I grabbed it through Steam this morning before leaving for work.

wlj

i call BS on that one. no way a speed run takes 200+ hours.

covenant

I'm holding out for actual player reviews. It seems every game released is getting 8s and 9s from all the major publications and websites. Either we're living in a Golden Age of Gaming or the scores are being inflated.

Noonan

I'll post up some impressions tomorrow. I enjoyed the demo so I don't see myself not enjoying the game. The big question is if it has enough varied content to justify spending 100+ hours playing.

Liver&Onions

Hearing it's 200 hours (or even 100) just let me know to not even bother wanting this one. thanks for the heads up.

Decker

Mine arrived this morning from New Egg. I always get a chuckle from all these folks at CAG who write "I don't want to order from New Egg because I don't want to wait". Though they never promise it, I ALWAYS get my New Egg preorders on release date.

I'll check the game out this evening and post some impressions later.

wlj

here is a live stream of this british guy playing the game. pretty hilarious commentary

http://sv.twitch.tv/totalbiscuit

Groucho

Agreed. Based on what I've seen more recently, it's more like 250-300 hours.

Kedrix

I adore New Egg. Free 3-day shipping (which usually gets here in 2) most of the time and absolutely no problems for games or computer parts. I wish they had more games, I'd probably order from them more often.

Decker

As huge as this game is, it's almost comical that people had their panties in a bunch over six or seven bonus missions available to those who buy the game new. I doubt those who don't get the online code would be missing much.

Speaking of which, I found it interesting that there's no indication of the "Project $10" feature on the box of this release (though they do have the standard disclaimer about "Access to Onine Features require registration with a single-use serial code included with new, full retail purchase").

Liver&Onions

Uhhhhhh.

slop101

No Shit!

Especially if it's even half as boring as the demo was. The whole time I'm playing the demo I'm thinking "man, I wish I were playing Skyrim instead!".

Decker

Currently, it has a Metacritic score of 81 for 360, 82 for PS3 and 88 for PC (but the PC score is based on very few review scores).

Joystiq loved it and gave it a review

covenant

User reviews will drop. This kind of stuff doesn't help either: "I didnt play this game, but i just noticed there was a troll attack on this game to lower it's user score, so heres my bag of sand to fix that a little."

Joystiq is insane. 100%? It's a perfect game? smbs

Decker

Based on the demo, yeah, I'm dubious and it certainly isn't perfect. But if you are reviewing a game you absolutely love, I think it's fair to give it even if you know it's not perfect.
Exhibit A : Skyrim. Many flaws, but I consider it a game, absolutely.

covenant

Not to me. If it has flaws it's can never be 100%. I'd give Skyrim a high 90s, the flying mammoths, stuck NPCs and other bugs hold it back. Fun to play? Absolutely. But there are issues.

Reading the Amalur forums I see problems remapping the keyboard controls and the mouse buttons aren't mappable beyond right and left click. You can't adjust LOD, so your always going to have the terrain pop up. The UI goes wonky at higher resolutions. This all screams console-portitis.
I revise my earlier prediction. Console user reviews will hold steady, PC users will drop like a rock.