Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Gets Rave Reviews

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning has been released to critical acclaim, with scores ranging from 8.0 to 9.5.

Eurogamer.net says the game "adds a splash of color and a lick of polish to the open-world RPG," while Destructoid writes: "For those who want an RPG free of pretense and utterly devoted to indulgence, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is your game."

As 38 Studios' first game, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning invites players into the vast open world of Amalur. It's now available for the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

10

gamingnexus.com review
I have to be perfectly honest, I was very skeptical going into this game about how well it was going to turn out. There was so much promised with this game that many, including myself, were concerned as to whether 38 could deliver. Well, they have, and in a major way. Kingdoms of Amalur is everything that RPG fans could have hoped for and so much more; everything you want from a good RPG is here. There is deep character customization, completed freedom of choice, as well as an unprecedented focus on actual gameplay and total control of your character. This doesn’t feel like an RPG, but it is and its one of the better ones. This isn’t just for RPG fans either; the game is so focused on action that it could easily draw in fans of that genre as well, as it did with me. If you are looking for a game that will keep your occupied and entertained for hours on end, this is definitely it.
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10

joystiq.com review
Again, though, these are tiny quibbles in an otherwise sterling production. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning presents a world that is immaculately crafted and beautiful, yet still simple and accessible. Every corner reveals a person in need, a treasure to collect, a secret to uncover, a battle to wage. I don't know how much more time I'll spend in Amalur (dozens of hours? hundreds?), but I plan on savoring every minute.
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9.7

gamechronicles.com review
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning isn’t the first action-RPG, but it is the first to put the focus on the action. Mixing intensely violent and super-satisfying combat with one of the richest role-playing endeavors on this generation of console, don’t be surprised when this game shows up as a viable contender for RPG of the Year. Reckoning takes all of the best from all the other RPG games you love, trims the fat, tightens the controls, streamlines the interface, and executes it all with heart, vision, and style; a true testament to the grandmasters of design talent behind the project. This is easily the must-own, must-play RPG of 2012 so don't miss out.
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9.6

digitalchumps.com review
As I continue to play Amalur and try to find the edges of its vast expanse, I am continually delighted and entertained. I cannot recall a game that I have played that was so detailed and on such a huge scale. True, most things that KOAR does are not revolutionary -- but everything it brings it brings in an all-in manner, and the years of development that went into this experience at the hands of many talented folks is clear from the first hour.
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9.5

neocrisis.com review
No Synopsis Available
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9.3

ztgd.com review
For what it’s worth, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is an amazing game. I can’t suggest it enough. RPG fans will fall in love with the customization of both your character and equipment, action fans will love the thought out combat and fantasy fans will love the lore and story. There’s really something here for everyone, so much so that you may be put off by it all. I would say stick to the factions and main story quest lines if you start getting a little bored with the side quests. Even just doing those will give you over 25 hours of game play. For $60 you get a lot of game with Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. Is that game good? Absolutely.
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9.0

ign.com review
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.
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9.0

incgamers.com review
Needless to say, this is an impressively strong showing from 38 Studios. Considering it's an original IP, the team have created a wonderful world for us to explore, and it wont be going anywhere. From the fantastic combat to the polished visuals and audio design, this title has so much to offer. The comparisons in quality to Skyrim shouldn't be laughed at - Reckoning is the first title to offer a legitimate challenge to the Elder Scrolls juggernaut.
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9.0

thegamershub.net review
It is very hard to say something bad about Reckoning as it does many things right that many seasoned RPG’s get wrong. The art style is simply amazing with unique and inspiring draw distance. The graphics do have some pop in every now and then but is to be expected in an open world game like this. However there was some slow down when running for long periods of time (unlimited sprint). The length of the game is extended with the seemingly endless array of things to do from side-quests, story missions to factions and tasks. The combat is top of the line and some of the best in the genre. If players are looking for an engrossing world that will take them away for a long time and not let go than Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning is for you.
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8.5

1up.com review
Reckoning stands as a triumph; it's a first-time RPG from a studio known for RTS games, and a new property from a new company. It's a bold and audacious game that impresses me enough to wonder what its follow-up will be like. And, to circle back, it reminds me of the first time I heard The College Dropout: I can trace its roots and identify what he's sampling from, but overall, it's a damn good first effort.
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8.5

gamefront.com review
Skills, such as blacksmithing, alchemy, stealth, and lock-picking, are advanced through a separate mechanic than combat abilities, meaning you never have to sacrifice combat optimization in order to pursue KoA:R’s other game systems.
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8.5

fronttowardsgamer.com review
The truth is that a lot of love went into this game. KA:Reckoning is a game that looks like a classic RPG that should be in everyone’s video game collection. I’ve never understood some of my friends who play RPGs over and over again even after the main story line is done and there is nothing else for me to go find. KA:Reckoning is different: I want to play it, and buy downloadable content, and shell out $80 for the limited edition, buy an Amalur book and submerge myself in it as I have now become a fan. For a game that feels like Fable, plays like the Elder Scrolls, has the storyline of Mass Effect and vast feeling of Dragon Age, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is definitely one you simply must play.
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8.0

destructoid.com review
For anyone who needs little more than a sword, a shield, and some monsters to annihilate, there are few games more committed to delivery. For those addicted to looting dungeons and crafting increasingly arcane magic gloves, there are few games more willing to serve the goods. For those who want an RPG free of pretense and utterly devoted to indulgence, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is your game.
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8.0

eurogamer.net review
It's an unglamorous kind of success story, admittedly. And perhaps it's worrying for 38 Studios that the bland fantasy world it's hanging its future on is the least enticing aspect of its debut game. But it's not all elbow grease - Kingdoms of Amalur adds a splash of colour and a lick of polish to the open-world RPG, and they couldn't be more welcome.
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8.0

gamerant.com review
That said, Reckoning gets the important things right. Engaging combat and lovely visuals, engrossing fiction, and an enormous quest all come together to deliver the most accessible open world role-playing game yet. The freedom players have to exist in the world of Amalur — to explore it as they see fit — is hugely compelling, and there are plenty of reasons to keep playing long after the primary quest is complete. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is not a masterpiece, but it is extraordinarily good, and highly reccommended.
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8.0

oxmonline.com review
These few soft spots are what keep Kingdoms of Amalur from being truly dazzling. It’s a great RPG — one that gives you an almost Bethesda level of freedom — and it has so much content that you could be playing the game for a couple of months (thankfully, you can continue adventuring after the credits). It’s a fantastic first effort from 38 Studios, and it’d be a shame if we didn’t get a return trip to Amalur.
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8.0

gameinformer.com review
Despite its problems, Reckoning is a good game with a lot of stuff worth checking out. But even with all of the talent backing it, it’s just on the edge of being something much greater than it is. For a game that’s all about breaking out of the confines of fate, it’s a shame that so much of the content feels stuck within such narrow conventions.
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7.8

computerandvideogames.com review
Question is, do you need another life-consuming world? Isn't Amalur's flighty fantasy fun enough to mark it out from the competition? We might question the need for a dip-in/dip-out epic, but we can't deny its effectiveness in hitting that goal. Reckoning is an epic for the man-on-the-go or, for those currently Skyrimmed, a gateway drug to real life.
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7.5

everyeye.it review
No Synopsis Available
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5.0

g4tv.com review
The arrival of your character, who defies the basic tenets of mortal existence by returning from the dead, further disintegrates the idea of inescapable fate. This sudden imbalance and instability in Amalur not only thrusts you into the conflict but positions you as the harbinger of change whose sheer will alone threatens the deterministic nature of this civilization.
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