Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

About Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a 2012 action RPG developed by 38 Studios and published by Electronic Arts. Set in the fantasy world of Amalur, it blends open-world exploration with fast-paced combat, drawing inspiration from New York Times author R.A. Salvatore’s lore and Todd McFarlane’s visual style. Players control a Farseer, a reincarnated hero tasked with preventing the world’s collapse. The game mixes traditional RPG elements like character customization and questing with real-time melee and magic combat. It launched on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. Expect a large world with branching story choices, but keep in mind its 2012 release date means it lacks modern polish.

Gameplay

The core loop revolves around crossing Amalur’s open world, battling enemies in real-time combat, and completing quests that shape the story. Combat uses a combo-based system where players switch between swords, axes, and magic to exploit enemy weaknesses. The Destiny System lets choices affect dialogue, companions, and story outcomes. Players spend sessions grinding experience, upgrading skills in a branching tree, and managing loot through crafting and inventory. Missions often involve platforming, puzzle-solving, or slaying bosses. Controls are responsive for their era, but the camera and UI feel dated by today’s standards. Side content includes optional challenges and collectibles, though repetition creeps in during late-game grinding.

What Players Think

On IGDB, it holds a 77.6/100 average from 197 ratings. PlayPile community data shows 25 hours average playtime, with 28% completing all main story quests. Moods are split: 40% “excited” for its ambitious design, 30% “curious” about its legacy, 20% “skeptical” of its dated mechanics, and 10% “indifferent.” Critics praised combat and visuals in 2012 but noted repetitive quests and bugs. One user review states, “The world feels alive but the systems don’t hold up past 30 hours.” Completionists report 130 achievements, averaging 30 hours for 100% completion. While some praise its ambition, others view it as a missed opportunity due to technical limitations.

PlayPile's Take

It’s a flawed but ambitious RPG best for fans of older action RPGs who don’t mind dated mechanics. The Destiny System and skill customization offer replayability, but repetitive combat and clunky UI may frustrate modern players. With no price listed, used copies or sales are the only viable options. If you enjoy open-world exploration and character-driven stories from the early 2010s, it’s worth a try. Otherwise, newer titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 or God of War might serve similar vibes with better polish.

Storyline

Forge your own destiny. You have been reborn, your future is unwritten. Now the fate of Amalur lies in your hands.