Just got this game. I'm not too far into it, but so far it's very good. I troll on here under another name I will not reveal, but suffice to say I was also a regular player of Skyrim and spent a good amount of time in that thread.
Things I like: Combat. Much more fun. I go waaaay out of my way to kill shit, because it's fun. As you go up skill trees you get more moves and shit too. Things like being able to knock an enemy up into the air with your sword, then blast them with a spell. Combos and special attacks help fill a meter. It's very action game style, not so much the typical RPG. However, it's still very strong as an RPG too, very skyrim like. More colorful world and enemies.
Things I don't like: As soon as the game starts, everything had a graphical vibe I couldn't quite place. After I got to the outdoor area of the game, it hit me. It had a very open layout with a simple graphic scheme. It reminded me of World of Warcraft. A modern game, but the graphics in some ways feel very simple. I did a little research, and I understand why: this game is a prequel to a MMO game the studio is making. This introduces us to the Kingsdom of Amalur, and the next game is going to be an online rpg. And much like Warcraft, I'm fine with playing the single player games, and the studio can stuff their MMO up their asses.
As far as RPG's go, this is pretty good. Tons of back story, and the entire universe was created by RA Salvatore. Creatures are a bit different than the typical fare, and the backstory is delivered in a lot of unique ways. There's typical conversation options to quiz characters about the game history, but in addition there are these recording-stone things scattered about that play back a person's words when you click them. So you get these cool stories and little bites of information about all kinds of shit, but it keeps playing as you continue on your way. So you're not stuck reading books, or standing close to a person to hear the story. It just plays in the background.
Skill trees are pretty cool. So far the map feels pretty big, although I don't know if it's the size of Skyrim's map.
Secondary weapon assignment is awesomely handled. Makes Skyrim just look awful. Voice acting is really good in some places, over-dramatic in others. (Wolf guy is a good example).
Still trying to get into the whole "destinies" thing. I don't have enough points in any skill trees to get into the good tarot card things. But basically it feels like an MMO thing - you can change destiny cards to facilitate different character builds. There are also characters who will re-set your skill points for gold, so you can refund your points and completely re-build at any point in the game.
So far I'd say it Skyrim style story and rpg elements.
Warcraft style skill trees and point system. (in ADDITION to Skyrim style elements)
Hints of capcom style combat. Games like Devil May Cry, etc... HINTS. Combos, multi-part moves, etc... that make things interesting.
I'm thoroughly impressed. The game started strong, and is getting better the more I play.
One question: I still don't quite understand what the actual benefit to the "reckoning mode" is, aside from killing all your enemies of course. Does it just give extra XP, or do those threads of fate amount to something more?
post by Large Negro Varani at Feb 20,2012 1:39pm
Weapons in this game are pretty badass. If you buy the game you get a download code that gets you a pretty good full armor set. As you play, though, you get pretty good drops.
The game has the typical white/gree/blue/purple item types. Weird though that every single blue item I've found so far seems significantly weaker than comparable green drops in the same areas. I've yet to get a single blue item I haven't just sold.
Yes but it really isnt it plays like dragon age but wayyyy better
Ding.
Whoever said GOW was a retard.
It's more action oriented as in the blocking and combat system is much more robust than a typical rpg. Button mashing won't really get you far here without a bag full of healing potions. Instead blocking, dodging, and choosing wisely between ranged and melee makes a bigger difference here than a typical RPG.
Also I can't get over how GAY everything looks in this game. I don't care if the combat is revolutionary. Are their even dungeons? IS everything just a cotton candy WoW forrest? I've watched people streaming and it just looks like a lot of the same stuff over and over. They basicly made this game to set up for the second release which will be a mmorpg. (oh boy..._)
It does look very WoW-like. I also find the combat to be very easy? I don't know if Dark Souls has just made me good at action combat, but playing as a warrior on normal, gone through 3 dungeons and random wilderness and nothing has been a challenge so far. I think I've only had to down one potion so far due to being dumb against critters with resistances. (normal difficulty)
post by Large Negro Varani at Feb 23,2012 2:12am
The combat gets more difficult as you level. Fights get more involved/interesting.
Art is designed by Todd macfarland. There are dungeons, and they look great. It's just not the typical grey gray brown and grey color scheme of the elder scrolls and fallout games.