Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
There is something to be said about games that have the “Action RPG” moniker slapped on them these days. KoA:R stands its ground against the demons that have very much kept games from being more than a wistful afterthought, and because of that, it shines.
When I first heard that Curt Shilling had opened a game studio, I was skeptical. The guy may have three World Series rings, but what does he know about video games? A lot, it turns out.
The plot is intriguing, but it does seem to fall a bit short of emotionally captivating. Your character is essentially a magical science experiment. Having been killed on the battlefield, you are resurrected by the Well of Souls, a device that was thought to be a bust after hundreds of failed attempts.
KoA:R dogged a bullet with its progression system. Aware that people are growing weary of being locked into a certain role with the dispersion of their talent points, KoA:R gives an out: whenever you tire of sword-wielding melee, you can part with a sum of gold and have your Fate wiped clean.
This is arguably the first big release of the year, and it stands up well. The amount of stuff that it gets right far eclipses the menial details that can add a dash of tedium to your experience. For fans of fantasy and action, as well as those on the fence, I can tell you with certainty that this is a game that you do not want to miss.
9.5 out of 10