Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

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Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is a dark fantasy, open-world RPG set on a bleak island where King Arthur is long dead and mythical creatures run amok. This Early Access game offers quests, loot, choices, and monsters, with more content to be added for free. Players should expect bugs and lack of polish, as the game is still in development and liquid savings may become corrupted.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,132 reviews

story285 positive mentions

optimization93 negative mentions

The game captures the essence of classic RPGs like Skyrim and Oblivion, providing a rich dark fantasy atmosphere.
Combat mechanics are engaging, with a satisfying parry system and a variety of playstyles available.
The voice acting and storytelling are surprisingly good, adding depth to the characters and quests.

The game suffers from performance issues, including long loading times and frame rate drops.
Many quests are bugged or incomplete, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
The enemy AI is often predictable and lacks variety, making combat feel repetitive over time.

story
1,000 mentions
28 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story in "Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon" has garnered mixed feedback from players, with many praising its intriguing premise rooted in Arthurian legend and its engaging world-building. However, players have noted significant issues with quest progression, including bugs that can lock them out of quests and unclear markers that hinder navigation. While the narrative shows promise and features well-written dialogue, the overall execution feels incomplete, leading to a sense of disconnection in the storytelling. Many players express excitement for future updates, hoping for improvements in both story depth and quest functionality.
- “The intricate world design, compelling storytelling, and the significant impact of player choices are remarkably engaging, drawing me in with a sense of nostalgia.”
- “I love the story and gameplay.”
- “The story is captivating too so far!”
- “If I had to criticize anything, it would probably be the introduction to the story in the prologue and just in general how the story gets explained. As the game continued, I just got more and more confused, not sure if that's just because the game is incomplete or if the game just doesn't explain it properly.”
- “The main quest ends abruptly without any disclaimers once 'completed' and does not connect to the new area of the game yet (you must forcefully explore it, off character).”
- “The quests and story: I wanted to write a lot about this but I decided it's just going to be too long - the quests are generic, mostly very limited, they are scripted badly, sometimes things trigger and sometimes they don't. I find myself running around the map and reading the very limited information you have for the quests, over and over just wasting time on not advancing because it's not clear how to proceed.”
optimization
325 mentions
11 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a significant concern among players, with many reporting severe performance issues, including frame drops, stuttering, and crashes, particularly in open-world areas. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay, the overall consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization to enhance stability and performance, especially given its early access status. Players express hope that future updates will address these issues, as the underlying game shows great potential.
- “Despite the optimization issues, the game is very well done, controller support is great, the voice acting was interesting and the books were funny.”
- “The performance has improved considerably; however, I still crashed when initially booting up for the first time.”
- “With the new update, note that performance is very much improved.”
- “The biggest issue is optimization at the moment, and that's to be expected.”
- “Horrible optimization.”
- “It's a poorly optimized experience that has a lot of promise, but just isn't there yet.”
gameplay
306 mentions
33 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this early access title has drawn comparisons to classic RPGs like Skyrim and Oblivion, featuring familiar mechanics such as crafting, combat, and exploration, while also introducing new elements like dodging and parrying. Players appreciate the engaging combat system and atmospheric world design, though some mechanics feel unbalanced or underdeveloped, leading to a mix of enjoyment and frustration. Overall, while the game shows promise with its solid foundation and potential for growth, it still requires refinement and additional content to fully realize its ambitions.
- “The gameplay and quests got their hooks into me immediately, though, and I'm sad to realize that I can see an end to the available early access content looming.”
- “The combat is fantastic, while feeling very familiar to fans of Skyrim this game builds on to the combat adding a timed block mechanic that feels natural and enhances the flow of the combat.”
- “The gameplay is fun, you've got a lot of flexibility when it comes to creating your character's build and your skills progress as you use them (as the game seems to be heavily inspired by the TES series).”
- “Resulting as a gameplay = 90% loading / 10% dying...”
- “The gameplay and AI are just so bad.”
- “After over 24 hours of gameplay, it all feels like I wasted my time.”
graphics
280 mentions
35 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the unique art style and atmospheric design reminiscent of classic titles like Skyrim and Oblivion. However, several users noted that the graphics feel dated for 2023, with performance issues, bugs, and optimization problems detracting from the overall experience. While some praised the visuals as "good" for an indie title, others expressed disappointment in the lack of polish and the need for further improvements as the game progresses through early access.
- “The graphics are great for an indie team, the UI is much better than any Bethesda game, it has a lot of cool-looking skills, and a ton of items to loot.”
- “The art style, story, and world-building really grabbed me.”
- “The visuals are already strikingly beautiful, and I foresee them evolving further in the future.”
- “The character models and overall graphics look like something from Oblivion, a game that’s nearly 20 years old.”
- “The graphics feel dated; I must say, performance is not that great.”
- “The graphics are definitely Oblivion with a little Skyrim thrown in.”
atmosphere
162 mentions
55 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, immersive qualities, drawing comparisons to titles like Dark Souls and Skyrim while offering a unique, grim twist on Arthurian legend. Players appreciate the detailed world-building, engaging sound design, and the overall sense of exploration that the environment fosters, despite some technical issues. The combination of a haunting soundtrack, atmospheric visuals, and rich lore creates a captivating experience that keeps players invested in the game's narrative and setting.
- “The environment has many features worthy of exploration (so far ruins, caves, and abandoned buildings amid some monumental backdrops), a solid weather system, and conveys the atmosphere of the board game well (sort of a grim, abandoned fantasy vibe).”
- “The atmosphere is very immersive with many small noises such as water dripping in a cave, wind rustling leaves, potions bubbling, coins clinking, etc. Bows sound great.”
- “The atmosphere is captivating, dark, and eerie.”
- “With this setting and atmosphere I was expecting more, but maybe they are working to sort out this buggy hideous mess of a game before any gameplay/content updates.”
- “The atmosphere is oppressive and creepy and just disgusting, and it lends itself well to the lore of this decaying corpse of a world that you find yourself in.”
- “I really wanted to like this, from the visuals to the atmosphere, the combat and skill progression, it just catastrophically under-delivered on everything those qualities rest upon.”
stability
126 mentions
5 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes, which are typical for early access titles. While some users find the game enjoyable despite these issues, many express frustration over the game's performance, including lag, freezing during auto-saves, and unplayable quests. Overall, while there is potential for improvement, the current state is considered too unstable for a fully enjoyable experience.
- “Looks really good, sounds mostly good, runs great on my machine.”
- “Reinstalled with update and all runs great now.”
- “Hugs & kisses to the dev team for making this excellent game, also runs great on Linux.”
- “The game is a buggy mess.”
- “Crashes, glitches, constant save errors, etc., the list goes on and on.”
- “Too buggy and unpolished to be particularly fun, even in saying its early access, delivering something in this state disheartens me for this project.”
music
115 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance the game's dark fantasy setting. While some noted that the soundtrack can be sparse or repetitive, others highlighted its immersive and haunting nature, drawing comparisons to beloved titles like Skyrim and The Witcher 3. Overall, the music is seen as a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's ambiance, despite some technical issues and inconsistencies in playback.
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, and the world and atmosphere really drew me in.”
- “The music is so immersive, and the world is a joy to explore.”
- “The music and atmosphere build well off of each other, giving the world a wholly unique vibe.”
- “The music is boring, frame drops in the open world are terrible, combat is simple and disinteresting, and worst of all, you literally cannot level magic after taking the talents for it.”
- “The audio is pretty good, very atmospheric and quite fitting; however, there are moments where the music just fades for an unreasonable amount of time, leaving just silence.”
- “The music is decent, but everything else needs lots of work.”
humor
39 mentions
95 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the witty dialogue and self-aware writing that often elicits genuine laughter. While some find the humor engaging and well-integrated into the story, others criticize it as juvenile or lacking depth. Overall, the game successfully balances its darker themes with moments of levity, making for an entertaining experience despite some inconsistencies in comedic execution.
- “The game still runs like absolute doodoo garbage pile, but the content was so engrossing (and surprisingly funny) that I kept returning to definitely get my money's worth.”
- “In conclusion, if you're looking for an RPG that will transport you to a world of wonder, danger, and occasional hilarity (seriously, some of the dialogue in this game had me laughing out loud), then Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon is the game for you.”
- “I admit I was worried it was only going to be grotesque and edgy but I was surprised to find funny, charming characters who don't forget to crack a smile or joke around despite all the terrible things happening in the setting.”
- “Everyone talks in this jokey-but-witless manner, constantly making unfunny quips.”
- “I'm hoping the original writers (it was a board game first) are more creative and more intelligent, but the video game writers are insightless, unfunny jokesters with a grudge against the player.”
grinding
13 mentions
0 % positive mentions
8 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often leading to frustration, especially when progress can be lost due to crashes or patches. Many suggest improvements to systems like crafting and lockpicking to reduce repetitiveness, while others express dissatisfaction with combat mechanics that contribute to a slow and clunky experience. Overall, the consensus is that grinding can detract from enjoyment, making it feel like a chore rather than a rewarding part of gameplay.
- “Very tedious and will set you back hours.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Combat slow and clunky, tedious gameplay.”
character development
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for enhancing the overall experience through rich world-building and exploration, reminiscent of the Elder Scrolls series. While some players feel that the character progression system could benefit from a larger skill tree and more defined mechanics, the potential for meaningful choices and lore adds depth to the character journey. Overall, the game successfully incorporates elements of RPG progression, though there is room for improvement in dynamic abilities and character expression.
- “The game’s focus on world-building and character development truly enhances the overall experience, creating a vibrant atmosphere that invites exploration.”
- “It has a Skyrim feel with world exploration, quest discovery, and character development.”
- “So rare these days to get a great character development journey, and a good bit of lore to go with it.”
- “Character development, a larger skill tree and a more focused approach to things would help your character be more defined.”
- “Sure, technically you can block and dodge, but that doesn't change the core premise: it isn't dynamic, you are not using special or magical abilities as an expression of your skill and character design.”
- “- character development: I didn't play enough to get a sense of this, but the game does offer some choices in how you want to play/progress.”
replayability
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is seen as promising, with potential for varied playstyles and different quest outcomes, particularly if more unique content and playable races are added. While some players note that the linear story and repetitive side missions may limit replay value, others believe that exploring different builds and choices can enhance the experience. The consensus suggests that with further development, the game could become highly replayable and enjoyable.
- “I only played about 10 hours or so before deciding to wait for the full launch, but I could definitely see the game having replay value if you focus on a different build/playstyle.”
- “Replayability would come in the way of choosing different quest ending options for a few quests and doing a different playstyle (did a battlemage/paladin first time through, sword/shield heavy armor regen magic user).”
- “Fun playthrough (factions/choices matter and replayability is there to explore different outcomes).”
- “This game has so much potential; it just needs a lot more unique quest lines and a much larger map to become a highly replayable RPG.”
- “Replay value is low; the story is linear and some of the side missions are repetitive, which is to be expected in an RPG.”
- “Replayability would come from choosing different quest ending options for a few quests and trying out different playstyles.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is overshadowed by community toxicity and dissatisfaction with the game's quality of life features, despite promising future updates. While the developers are promoting exciting content, the unclear advertising and negative community interactions detract from the overall experience.
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, with prices that are far too high for the content offered.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind a paywall, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra money.”
- “The constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a cash grab than a well-designed game.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by strong voice acting that resonates with players, evoking nostalgia reminiscent of classic titles like Oblivion. However, some users noted issues with sound quality, particularly with dialogue being too quiet, which detracted from the overall emotional experience.
- “I felt that most of the voice acting, though the sound quality needs to be closely examined as some pieces of dialogue were impossibly quiet, was very good and properly emotional.”
- “This game, at the start, made me feel like I was playing Oblivion again.”
- “Not many games have made me feel like that since, not even Skyrim.”