I Think Amalur With You

I really like video games...especially RPGs. If I had my way, I would play every RPG I could get my hands on. I'm a sucker for a game that tells an awesome story. Admittedly, I don't get to play video games as often as I'd like. I miss the days of college, when I could come home from class at 4:00, kill 5 hours of Final Fantasy VIII and still have time for homework. :) Or the wonderful 3 month summer vacations where I once had a fling with Final Fantasy X. But as an adult with a full-time day job, I find that I either don't have time to log the hours needed make progress in an RPG, or the task seems daunting because I have SO MANY just sitting on my game shelf begging to be played.

Because of this, my tastes in games has evolved. I usually stick with the 8-10 hour Action games or FPS like Tomb Raider, Uncharted, BioShock, Heavy Rain, God of War, etc. But recently, I've found myself locking the front door, putting my phone on vibrate and snuggling under a blanket to play the hell out of some RPGs. It started with Final Fantasy XIII (which, despite mixed reviews, revitalized my faith in Square-Enix's ability to make a playable RPG) and has picked up again with Final Fantasy XIII-2. But fear not...this is not an article where I, once again, express my love for the Final Fantasy XIII line. No, I'm here to express my love and admiration for a wonderful not so little game called Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning!!


I LOVE THIS GAME!!! I've always struggled with games like Elder Scrolls, Dragon Age, Mass Effect and pretty much any MMORPG. I have a love/hate relationship with quest based RPGs. I want to experience them SO BAD and usually try...but have always given up. I find that my ADD kicks in with these game (much like sandbox games like Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, Assassin's Creed, Prototype, etc.) and I just end up wandering around killing things, collecting loot I hate to get rid of and accomplishing NOTHING. I need a game to keep me focused, and moving towards the next goal...otherwise, like a little child, I'll just wander around aimlessly. But with Kingdoms of Amalur I have found a game that really clicks with me.

The world of Amalur is vast and beautiful thanks to Ken Rolston (executive designer), R. A. Salvatore (game universe and lore), Todd McFarlane (artwork), and Grant Kirkhope (musical score). The music is amazing BTW!

From the start, the character creation process with simple and easy. The game's tutorial level lets you try out different types of weapon/fighting styles so you can see what you like. But the kicker is the Destiny system...and eventually, being able to change your destiny.

Initiate Destiny Card

I'm a man who is perpetually indecisive. Ask anyone who's tred to go shopping with me. LOL! I drive them CRAZY! So for me, when an RPG, like Dragon Age, allows you to freely apply skills and level your character, I tend to reget my decision as soon as I make it. Do I really want to be a Mage or a Rogue? What kind of Rogue? Once you make a choice...there's no take-backs. Dives...Me...Crazy! But in Amalur...ah sweet Amalur...allows you to visit a Fateweaver and change your destiny!! Fateweavers offer an Unbind Destiny service, which allows you to reset your Skills and Abilities for a fee. So basically...you can play as Stealthy Rogue, decide "Meh, I don't really like this" and remove your Ability points and reapply them to, or mix them with, another class (in this case, a mage or warrior, or some combination of both/all of them). Need really high Blacksmith stat? Not a problem! You also get all your skill points back for redistribution. For some one like me...this...is...HEAVEN! And you get a house to store all you shit in...which they do in other game, and it's a great addition here. I can save that rare Long Sword and Platemale for later, if I decide to change my destiny. Your house also has a mirror that allows you to change your appearance, a la The Sims.  ^_^

~Ololara with her white hair and silver tatoo~
She has a boy cut hairstyle now.

This system, along with the fact that the quests are easy to follow and fun to perform make this game rise SO high on my list of favorite games. I don't even care if the overall story end up sucking (I haven't currently finished the game) cause I'm just having a blast playing it. Currently I'm 20+ hours in with a level 5-6 female Varani (Nomadic Humans) name Ololara (an African name meaning 'born at the right time') following the Initiate Destiny (pure Mage track). I think she's AWESOME...and NO, it's not a coincidence that she's reminiscent of Ororo Munroe, aka Storm. Hehe ^_^!

So yeah...I LOVE this game, and it's going to be a while before GameFly gets it back. Sorry Final Fantasy XIII-2, you're going back on the shelf...for now. And Skyrim...you can just stay in your shrink wrap until I'm ready for you.

There's a demo out for KoA, so I suggest you all try it. You'll get an in-game bonus for the full game if you do so. If you've had a chance to play the demo, or the game, what do you think? Let me know by leaving a comment!! Happy hunting.

KaBOOM!

----------------------------------------

UPDATE

----------------------------------------

New Pics!

Notice, new hair style! Neat Feature of this Game.

Peace,

Matt