Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 7,903 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Game Cover
Generic in story at times - but executed flawlessly in terms of exploration and combat.
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"Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning" is a single-player, open-world fantasy hack and slash game with a unique atmosphere and intriguing story, brought to life by the creators of Spawn and New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore. It boasts great gameplay, stunning graphics, and soundtrack, but can be very grinding and buggy. Its high replayability makes for intense action combat and lots of laughs, resulting in an epic RPG experience.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,903 reviews
story1,618 positive mentions
grinding197 negative mentions
  • Engaging combat system that allows for a variety of playstyles and character builds.
  • Rich lore and a vibrant, colorful world that enhances the exploration experience.
  • Extensive quest variety, including main story quests and numerous side quests that provide hours of gameplay.
  • Repetitive quest design, often relying on fetch quests and similar objectives that can feel tedious.
  • Limited character customization options and a lack of memorable NPCs and story elements.
  • Bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, with some game-breaking issues that may require reloading saves.
  • story5,232 mentions

    The story of "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning" is often described as a mix of generic fantasy tropes and engaging lore, with many players noting its roots in Celtic mythology and the contributions of renowned author R.A. Salvatore. While the main questline is considered straightforward and sometimes predictable, the game features a plethora of side quests that can be more interesting and richly detailed, though they often fall into repetitive patterns of fetch and kill tasks. Overall, the narrative is seen as a backdrop to the gameplay, with some players enjoying the world-building and character customization more than the actual story progression.

    • “Such a good fantasy title, the character creation is a little limited but I love the idea behind the starting god and the story is very reminiscent of playing a character in D&D with amnesia.”
    • “The amount of lore, world building, and quests that went into this game is borderline absurd.”
    • “The story is a classic that can be appreciated by anyone that is interested in fantasies such as Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit.”
    • “The story is not engaging in the slightest.”
    • “The main story is shallow and generic (you will find yourself difficult to care at all), side quests are basically story-less chores and fetch tasks, and guild quests are poorly written and confusing.”
    • “The quests get boring and repetitive.”
  • gameplay1,350 mentions

    The gameplay of "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning" is widely praised for its engaging combat mechanics, allowing for a variety of character builds and playstyles, reminiscent of titles like Fable and World of Warcraft. Players appreciate the fluidity and responsiveness of the combat, alongside a rich world filled with quests and lore, although some note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time. While the game offers a substantial amount of content and customization, criticisms include a lack of challenge and some clunky mechanics, particularly in terms of enemy AI and quest design.

    • “The gameplay is fantastic and engaging, the storylines aren't bad at all, and the loot is powerful--all the makings of an incredible RPG!”
    • “Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning delivers exactly what it promises: a pitch-perfect fantasy RPG, with visceral, intuitive gameplay that is easy to pick up, difficult to master, wildly flexible and just plain fun, in a way that has yet to be seen in the genre.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth and combat is full of options and different styles.”
    • “Sadly, my gameplay came to a halt after hundreds of hours when I ran into one of the gameplay-ending bugs.”
    • “This game is fun and imaginative for the first 12 hours of gameplay, but then it gets repetitive.”
    • “The gameplay is not very gripping even as far as RPGs go.”
  • graphics1,345 mentions

    The graphics of "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning" are often described as vibrant and colorful, with a distinct art style reminiscent of "World of Warcraft" and "Fable." While some players note that the graphics show their age, particularly in character models and textures, many appreciate the game's unique aesthetic and the way it enhances the fantasy experience. Overall, the visuals are considered charming and well-suited to the game's whimsical tone, despite some technical limitations.

    • “The graphics are beautiful and the game-play is extremely satisfying.”
    • “The graphics hold up today, despite some low-res textures, but the actual designs of the characters, towns, wildlife, weapons, etc. are really great.”
    • “The graphics are stunning and the game-play is extremely satisfying.”
    • “The graphics are dated and mobs you kill ragdoll all the time, which really takes away from the immersion.”
    • “The graphics are a little cartoony and the max resolution is 720p, but very colorful.”
    • “The graphics is wow-like and considering the size of the game, it does not have good quality.”
  • music335 mentions

    The music in "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its orchestral quality and atmospheric contributions to the game. Composed by Grant Kirkhope, the soundtrack is noted for its ability to enhance the immersive experience, although some players find it repetitive and lacking in variety over extended play sessions. Overall, while the music is generally well-received, it can become monotonous, leading to a desire for more diverse tracks.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing for mountain rides.”
    • “The music is very nice and I love how it changes when you have been spotted by an enemy prior to being attacked.”
    • “The music done by Grant Kirkhope is phenomenal and this is certainly a game I would recommend to someone who wants a bit of a fantasy adventure.”
    • “Generic RPG, with generic quests, generic characters, generic visuals, and generic music.”
    • “The music, the art, the graphics, the animation, the color palette, the characters, the combat, the quests, the open world, the gameplay, the voicework -- all combine to give you a full, consistent, enjoyable experience.”
    • “The music is forgettable in most places, and nothing about 'big moment' swelling orchestral pomp really grabs your ear, but it does have a few memorable tracks lying around; sometimes in weird places.”
  • grinding205 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the game features significant grinding elements, often described as tedious and repetitive, particularly in side quests and combat. While some players appreciate the expansive world and variety of quests, many find the grinding to be a major drawback, leading to boredom and frustration as the game progresses. Overall, the experience can be enjoyable for those who appreciate RPGs with grindy mechanics, but it may deter players seeking a more streamlined or engaging narrative.

    • “Combat is challenging, the story is amazing, and there is more than enough to do in terms of side quests (and no grindy ones either).”
    • “There is no grinding required whatsoever in this game.”
    • “There is absolutely no grinding.”
    • “This game feels like grinding levels in WoW.”
    • “It gets really boring and tedious eventually.”
    • “The game was fairly engrossing at first, but after 8 hours I just found each quest more and more tedious, and didn't even feel like blitzing through the main questline.”
  • replayability125 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its customization options, diverse character builds, and numerous quests that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some reviewers note a lack of significant differences in gameplay across runs, leading to limited replay value for those who prefer varied experiences. Overall, while many find it enjoyable and worth revisiting, others feel it falls short in offering substantial replay incentives.

    • “This game is incredibly enjoyable, replayable, and simply awesome even today, 8 years after its release!!!”
    • “An unbelievable amount of content, great gameplay, great soundtrack and voice acting, a great range of enemies, NPCs, and plot devices, and almost endless replayability.”
    • “Hours of fun, feels awesome to play (with or without a controller) and the infinite possibilities for character builds lend huge replayability.”
    • “It has no replayability value and is quite short.”
    • “Pick it up in a sale and it'll give you a good thirty hours or so of moderate entertainment, but it's a mostly unremarkable experience with next to no replay value.”
    • “Sadly, unless you're into a full achievements Olympic track record, the replayability is not exactly there.”
  • stability120 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches that can hinder gameplay, particularly in the original version. While the remastered edition is noted to have fewer issues, players still encounter occasional glitches that can disrupt quests or inventory management. Overall, while some users have experienced a relatively smooth experience, the consensus is that the game is generally buggy and may require frequent saving to avoid losing progress due to these issues.

    • “Runs great on my 5+ year old desktop toaster, running Windows 7 Pro 64-bit.”
    • “For the most part though, it is pretty bug-free and the game in general is very polished.”
    • “It's a very stable and bug-free game; the downsides are all in the gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The game is buggy and no longer supported, so frequent saves are a must.”
    • “Unfortunately, it has so many bugs and glitches that it's unplayable.”
    • “The game is good but the coding is awful; it's a buggy mess such a shame because it showed promise after the first 30 levels into the game but now I can't start the damn game; it crashes before it starts and now I have to fix it myself.”
  • character development76 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its depth and flexibility, allowing for multi-classing and a variety of skills, while others criticize it for being linear and lacking emotional depth or memorable characters. Many reviews highlight the enjoyable combat and customization options, but note that the overall character development experience can feel uninspired or repetitive. Despite these criticisms, some players find the character progression system engaging and a highlight of the game.

    • “Character development is terrific and deserving of praise.”
    • “The character development and building is great; you can obtain special abilities for all three classes, new skills, progress in skills, and can create a true hero.”
    • “Character development is well-tuned; pick your play style, pick your weapons, and you're good to go.”
    • “The character development is very limited, lacking any relationships or interesting deep characters.”
    • “Playing this game feels like a damn chore; the character development is utterly uninspiring. There are zero skills or abilities that create that 'damn, I want that' feel; they're all just 'meh'.”
    • “The pacing is really bad, and there is no character development to speak of.”
  • humor74 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny through quirky dialogue and amusing character interactions, while others criticize it for being dry, repetitive, or awkwardly executed. Many reviews highlight moments of unintentional humor, such as poor facial animations and glitches, which can add a comedic element to the experience. Overall, while there are notable humorous aspects, some players feel the game could have benefited from a stronger comedic presence.

    • “There isn't a single 'bad' thing I can come up with about this game, and the history of its development is tragic and hilarious.”
    • “The humor was good and the story was great.”
    • “This game is filled to the brim with incredible adventures, quirky and humorous dialogue, fantastic visual combat & spell casting.”
    • “The humor in this game falls flat, lacking the charm and wit that made similar titles enjoyable.”
    • “It's like they tried to be funny but ended up with generic jokes that don't land at all.”
    • “The comedic elements feel forced and unoriginal, making the experience less engaging.”
  • atmosphere73 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag, with many praising its vibrant graphics, engaging soundtrack, and immersive world design that evokes a strong sense of fantasy. However, some reviewers noted a lack of cohesion and depth, describing certain areas as feeling sterile or two-dimensional, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the game is often recognized for its unique lore and the ability to create a captivating environment that keeps players invested.

    • “The atmosphere of the game tells a story of itself; from lush sun-bathed grasslands to dry, mysterious deserts to gloomy, dark, dangerous swamps, they all visually describe the living conditions and what could be around any corner awaiting your next battle.”
    • “Amazing soundtrack, hauntingly beautiful (yet blurry) fantasy graphics, and an atmosphere you just can't match with the games nowadays.”
    • “Overall, Amalur is quite the looker and you will not be disappointed with the atmosphere or the artistic style of the game.”
    • “But the game lacks a truly cohesive atmosphere and leveling system to keep you invested.”
    • “There is also a lack of foliage and little in the way of scenery animations such as rocking tree limbs or waving grass, giving the overall graphics a near motionless, stagnant atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is sterile and feels more like a kitschy elven theme park than a deep mystical forest full of dangers and fantastic creatures.”
  • optimization54 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many users reporting smooth performance even on lower-end hardware and minimal crashes. However, some players noted issues with controls and menu navigation, particularly on PC, indicating that while the game runs well, it may not be fully optimized for mouse and keyboard use. Despite these minor drawbacks, the game is considered one of the best-optimized titles available, especially for its age.

    • “Not just that, but it's very well optimized on PC.”
    • “The game is optimized well and runs really well with zero performance issues and no crashes after nearly 60 hours of play.”
    • “One of the best optimized games out there.”
    • “And the process of stuttering and freezing continues throughout from that point on.”
    • “It doesn't help that the inventory has a gamepad-optimized UI that feels horrible and slow as hell to use with a mouse.”
    • “Even though the graphics feel old, the game sometimes has performance issues for me.”
  • emotional33 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with many players finding the story to be boring and lacking depth, leading to little emotional investment in characters or events. While some moments have the potential to be impactful, they often feel overshadowed by repetitive gameplay and uninspired narratives. Conversely, a few players highlight moments of genuine emotional connection and thematic exploration, suggesting that the game has the capacity for deeper emotional engagement if it had pursued these elements more vigorously.

    • “If I could forget everything about a game just so I could re-experience its magic again, this would be the one and only game that made me feel that way.”
    • “Heartfelt, in-depth stories that will stick with you for years to come.”
    • “This game has a heart-touching story and amazing gameplay to back it up.”
    • “The game has the best combat system I've ever played; however, it has a really boring story with a lot of padding.”
    • “But by all means, if you're interested in a game with a forgettable art style, boring story, combat so easy that you can hardly call it a game, poor voice acting, poor dungeon and world design, then this is the game for you.”
    • “A lackluster role-playing game with an uninteresting combat system, a boring story, even more boring sidequests, mediocre game design, and plenty of bugs.”
  • monetization12 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many reviewers criticizing the remastered edition as a cash grab, particularly in light of its lack of advertising and promotional efforts. While there are no microtransactions or DLCs present, the overall sentiment suggests that the game's potential for additional content was underutilized, leading to disappointment among fans. Overall, the game's monetization strategy appears to have been poorly executed, overshadowing its quality and appeal.

    • “Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is yet another piece of evidence about why you shouldn't let EA handle your game, but interestingly enough it wasn't microtransactions that ruined things this time.”
    • “When it came out, I don't remember any commercials, no ads, no nothing to promote this game.”
    • “The re-reckoning edition seems more of a cash grab and I would not recommend.”
    • “There is just so much this game offers that would be DLC or microtransactions.”
    • “Singleplayer only so no circlejerking your pals for XP ;) go play it and remember if you lose your literal balls over this game your in luck EA spent millions of dollars to get the license so it might be remastered with tens of thousands of dollars in microtransactions so that you can look like a scrotum whilst you gape every shopkeeper out of his hard earned cash.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

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Play time

50hMedian play time
68hAverage play time
32hMain story
104hCompletionist
20-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 142 analyzed playthroughs

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