Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Weekend Roundup Post
As should be obvious to frequent visitors of the site, I’m rather stoked about the upcoming RPG from Big Huge Games and 38 Studios, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. And why shouldn’t I be? It’s an open-world RPG headed up by Ken Rolston (of Oblivion fame), with a dazzling artistic look provided by Todd McFarlane, a deep backstory provided by R.A. Salvatore, and gameplay design by none other than Ian Frazier, whom most of us know as Tiberius Moongazer from the Ultima V: Lazarus project.
There is, in other words, a ton of potential, and a very real possibility that this game will deliver some of that good old RPG feeling we’ve all been missing.
As such, and because I do periodically report on the game on the site here, I’ve decided to start putting together weekend roundups of news, video, and whatever other material I come across related to Reckoning and spotlighting its development.
Reckoning
The Reckoning Limited Editions are available now!
I’ve already pre-ordered mine, though sadly I couldn’t cost-justify springing for one of the troll-including editions. But then, I’m actually more interested in the complete set of Destiny cards than anything else. The dice seem like a nice add as well, as does the parchment map.
IGN thinks Reckoning might just be “the next great RPG”.
And they urge you to consider giving it a chance:
I used to be like you. I would see the headlines for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and gloss over them, maybe give the first few paragraphs a read before moving onto a franchise I recognized more. But I’m telling you – imploring you – to give Reckoning a chance after it comes out. It’s beyond me to accurately portray the depth of its content, and the love that it’s crafted with, but I hope I’ve spurred your interest. If you’re an RPG fan you owe it to yourself to start caring about this game and spreading the word.
They also featured a “taste test” video:
I can has taste test too?
Watch the folks at GamesRadar take on a Balor!
It would appear that in the course of its many quests, Reckoning will be more than happy to set up action set-pieces that would make Peter Jackson sit up and take note!
By the destinies! That. Was. PAINFUL!
Gamespot has a pretty comprehensive gameplay report about Reckoning…
…which just happens to include an interview with Ian Frazier as well.
Achievement Unlocked: Resemble Lord British!
Rock, Paper, Shotgun also got another hands-on of Reckoning…
…lucky devils. Their assessment mostly mirrors that of IGN, above, with the added apprehension that this game comes way too soon on the heels of Skyrim. But really, who needs free time or a social life?
Tibby was recently in Austraila, and AusGamers caught up with him.
Naturally, they had to ask him everything they could about Reckoning, and have kindly put the whole exchange online for us.
The many faces of the Fateless One!
Still yet more stabby goodness!
This game continues to look seriously cool, and I must admit I’m rather more enthusiastic about it than I am about eventually sitting down to give Skyrim a try.
I gotta say, the limited editions look cool but…
No cloth map? 🙁
Tibby is on Twitter. Ask him!
Yeah this game looks like a game. Skyrim looks like crap. Just my most humble opinion.
I’d like somebody to explain why they need to add “: Reckoning” to the game’s name.
Isn’t “Kingdoms of Amalur” enough? Are they already planning a sequel that will have another cliche game title word after the colon?
Shadows of Zamalur: Requiem
Winds of Shamalur: Dark Twilight
Legends of Bamalur: Dragonflame
“Reckoning” is the actual name of the game. “Kingdom of Amalur” is the brand name (ie. Think “Planescape” or “Forgotten Realms”) – the idea is to expand the brand beyond Reckoning. My understanding is that 89 Studios already has a MMO in the works based on the property – R.A Salvatore wrote lore covering a thousand years for the purpose of using the KoA IP for multiple stuff.
The game has a rather storied history, worth checking out if you have ten minutes and access to Wikipedia. I’m actually a bit surprised it never got cancelled for how much it got bumped around.
Sergorn tells the rest of the tale. Amalur is the setting for an MMO that 38 Studios is working on, and Reckoning has been folded in to that plan as a single-player means of introducing the world to gamers.
Yeah my understanding is that 38 Studios already had the Amalur name/setting before acquiring Big Huge Games.
I’d assume however much of it from Big Huge Games though, because they were already working on Reckoning (then called “Ascendant” – you can even find leaked vid on the internet) when THQ closed them down before 38 Studios came in and saved the day.
And Ascendant was the exact same team… with designs from McFarlane and plot/setting by R.A Salvatore.
So my feeling is that 38 Studios had a name for their MMO setting and not much else, and merged it with Ascendant’s background as Salvatore designed it.
Anyone living in the US willing to help me out? I need a US address to preorder. I would then need you to resend it to me via USPS.
Much appreciated.
ZD
As much as I’m hyped about the game, I’m very disappointed by not being able to order the LE from France…
I can look into what shipping rates from Canada to France would be…
…or Spain, for that matter.
WTF. if you could that would be amazing. I can paypal you the cash for the postage charges. The pre-order would arrive already paid for too. So if you could let me know and I’ll PM my details.
Cheers,
Okay, let’s do it this way.
Anyone who wants in on this, send me your mailing address/postal details using the contact form, and I’ll try and generate approximate shipping quotes for each of you.
They won’t be accurate until I actually get the pre-orders in, but at least it’ll give a preliminary idea.
And then I can pass you my mailing address, as well.