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Kingdoms of Amalur demo impressions thread [Up On 360/Origin/Steam/U.S. PSN]

Camera got a lot better for me once I understood there was a 4 second reset and I stopped fighting it so much. Turns out after a few more seconds than I was waiting, it was going to reset where I wanted it anyway. Agree that the best way to fix it is to reduce the timer on a reset.

And one of the previous posters was correct, you can change the mini map so that it rotates around your character instead of being locked.
 
I didn't like the camera, felt it was too low and too close for my taste. The combat system wasn't so bad once I got used to it, even if I didn't like the way the shield worked.
The dialogues felt sort of flat (and some very odd camera angles), granted I was tired at the time and perhaps I didn't give it the my full attention.

Might pick this one up on a sale one day, but it really didn't spark much interest in me.
 
So after some time with the game, I'm sold on picking this up at launch, even if it's going to conflict with so much other stuff :/ The Menu is pretty much awful but I enjoyed playing the game otherwise enough to just not care. The camera (with the 360 controller) wasn't that big of an issue for me, though it had a few moments in tighter areas. If I had any real area of complaint, I suppose it'd be that the dialogue interface feels sloppy.

Some technical problems here and there but, honestly, it feels a bit disingenuous to complain about them in regards to a demo ... of an old build of the game.
 
posted this in the Achieve Trophies thread of this month but it seems some people here might want to know. Sorry if old

StevePharma said:
Since some reviewers are already playing unreleased games for a while, some of them can be tracked on gamercard websites if they are playing on a non-debug system.

For example, currently YGCs.net tracks two people playing Kingdoms of Amalur, one of them being an IGN reviewer/employee who has been playing since the beginning of January. Cool thing is YGCs.net shows the hidden trophies as well, which to my knowledge were not made available on other places.

You can check them out here, but be warned of possible story spoilers. I can call out that one of the hidden trophies comes down to Beat the Game on Hard Difficulty. I had hoped difficulty related trophies would not be hidden anymore, as per the 10 Achievement Commandments ;), but I thought I should mention it for people who are planning their run through the game and thought they didn't have to think about difficulty.
Click to expand...

And yes the camera is one of the most abysmal things I have had to control in recent times. The Darksiders style camera and Z-targeting lockon system would be so good for this game. Too bad they didn't implement that.
 
AgentOtaku said:
Fwiw I definitely wanna play this more than my copy of skyrim

And wow, I had no idea so Many people had issues with the camera system. I think its fine =\
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The PC's camera system feels a liitle wonky, but not bad. PS3 seemed great to me though. I think some people really hate having to move the camera themselves.
 
Are those that are having camera issues complaining about the PC version? I had no problems with the camera on the PS3 version, but it was pretty awful on PC.
 
KKRT00 said:
No problem with camera at all - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0QekAXQvb0&t=210
Just give us option to pull out camera and i'm fine with it.
Click to expand...
Looks good, thanks for sharing.

I took a look around youtube some more...seems like a mixed bag regarding the camera. Some struggle with it pretty badly while others always seem to have it controlled and centered during battle (regardless of system). I guess it really depends on the player and isn't as widespread an issue as I originally thought. I wish the demo wasn't such a huge download...I'd like to try it for myself.
 
After multiple playthroughs, I've really warmed up to this game.

The first time I tried the demo, I was quite disappointed - stopped well short of the timer running out. I decided to give it another shot, and started to notice more of the positives - a mixed bag, but decent fun. Now I've played a third and fourth time, and had to force myself to stop to avoid my early hours with the full version being a monotonous replaying of quests I've already experienced.

The game (or demo, at the very least) is definitely flawed and unrefined on a lot of ways, but there's so much that I like that it's pretty much a guaranteed purchase for me at this point. I still don't think it's brilliant or amazing, but it's definitely scratching a specific itch quite nicely.

As has been mentioned repeatedly, the camera is the biggest annoyance, especially the viewing angle. I feel like I'm staring mostly at the ground instead of taking in the world, and constantly have to adjust the camera up.
 
Aesthet1c said:
Are those that are having camera issues complaining about the PC version? I had no problems with the camera on the PS3 version, but it was pretty awful on PC.
Click to expand...
I think the camera in the demo is terrible and I played it on PC. But if they give us the option to turn off all the automatic adjustements it should be fine.
 
Ricker said:
Not sure I fully understood what was needed to be done on those as well lol...only saw one chest and it was the one with a tutorial and it was easy,I got it but wasn't sure why hehe...
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Took me a few tries to catch on to what the mini-game was. Basically you have to hit every rune as the cursor passes over them. Once hit they will slowly or quickly revert back to their original state, the goal being to activate them all together. The biggest issue I was having was that I didn't realize hitting a rune you already hit will reset it.
 
Baconsammy said:
For the hell of it, I kited a pack of wolves and a pack of boggarts onto Aery. Girl tore them apart.
Click to expand...

This is from the latest IGN 'Review in Progress' update and immediately came to mind after reading this. I appreciate how quests can take interesting and unexpected little turns like this. Not always to your benefit, either.

"Then again, the way questing works within the larger dynamics of the game is worth noting. I met a woman in the woods to begin one side quest. She wanted me to find some elk-like game running around and loot their bodies for some bones that would act as proof of their demise. I began to do this, venturing far into the quest when tragedy struck unintentionally. I happened across a gigantic bear and, running low on health, decided that I'd run away from it in lieu of doing battle. Unfortunately, I brought the bear within the proximity of this character as I fled and the bear turned its ire on her. After putting up a brief, fruitless fight, the bear killed this woman, forcing me to fail the side quest automatically over something that I never calculated would even happen. And all because I didn't want to use a potion from my stock of healing items."
 
MushroomSamba said:
I took a look around youtube some more...seems like a mixed bag regarding the camera. Some struggle with it pretty badly while others always seem to have it controlled and centered during battle (regardless of system). I guess it really depends on the player and isn't as widespread an issue as I originally thought. I wish the demo wasn't such a huge download...I'd like to try it for myself.
Click to expand...

It depends on the area too. For example, I had some issues with the camera stuck "below" where I was standing in a dungeon with two floors. The camera isn't the worst thing in the game but it has some issues occasionally that kind of proves to be rather annoying.

That's on PC with 360 Controller, for the record.
 
ironcreed said:
This is from the latest IGN 'Review in Progress' update and immediately came to mind after reading this. I appreciate how quests can take interesting and unexpected little turns like this. Not always to your benefit, either.

"Then again, the way questing works within the larger dynamics of the game is worth noting. I met a woman in the woods to begin one side quest. She wanted me to find some elk-like game running around and loot their bodies for some bones that would act as proof of their demise. I began to do this, venturing far into the quest when tragedy struck unintentionally. I happened across a gigantic bear and, running low on health, decided that I'd run away from it in lieu of doing battle. Unfortunately, I brought the bear within the proximity of this character as I fled and the bear turned its ire on her. After putting up a brief, fruitless fight, the bear killed this woman, forcing me to fail the side quest automatically over something that I never calculated would even happen. And all because I didn't want to use a potion from my stock of healing items."
Click to expand...

That sounds like a quest in the demo (the one where you mount 4 deer head on a platform to summon a boss). There are bears nearby her and she is rather fragile (whenever I complete the quest and she asks for the reward(ring), I kill her without much effort). I think now I need to do that quest, get her killed by a bear, and see what happens after I loot the boss.
 
The 360 demo feels like someone trying to copy WoW and making it a single player action game. Nothing in the game stands out much and just feels meh, no buy for me.
 
eshwaaz said:
After multiple playthroughs, I've really warmed up to this game.

The first time I tried the demo, I was quite disappointed - stopped well short of the timer running out. I decided to give it another shot, and started to notice more of the positives - a mixed bag, but decent fun. Now I've played a third and fourth time, and had to force myself to stop to avoid my early hours with the full version being a monotonous replaying of quests I've already experienced.

The game (or demo, at the very least) is definitely flawed and unrefined on a lot of ways, but there's so much that I like that it's pretty much a guaranteed purchase for me at this point. I still don't think it's brilliant or amazing, but it's definitely scratching a specific itch quite nicely.

As has been mentioned repeatedly, the camera is the biggest annoyance, especially the viewing angle. I feel like I'm staring mostly at the ground instead of taking in the world, and constantly have to adjust the camera up.
Click to expand...
Pretty much how I felt. Nothing amazing, but pleasantly refreshing. Will buy.
 
Aesthet1c said:
Are those that are having camera issues complaining about the PC version? I had no problems with the camera on the PS3 version, but it was pretty awful on PC.
Click to expand...

My camera issues are on the PC version, yes. I played the demo on PC using a pad and I was annoyed by the camera acceleration. That, and no ability to move the camera farther back and closer up.
 
Baconsammy said:
That sounds like a quest in the demo (the one where you mount 4 deer head on a platform to summon a boss). There are bears nearby her and she is rather fragile (whenever I complete the quest and she asks for the reward(ring), I kill her without much effort). I think now I need to do that quest, get her killed by a bear, and see what happens after I loot the boss.
Click to expand...

Good idea, lol. Great thing about the demo is we can afford to tinker around like that without worrying about failing quests or affecting our game early on. I'll be much more cautious once I get the full game. I really dig the whole 'shit happens, so think and be careful before acting' approach. Shows how much of a real RPG it is in that regard.
 
Where is the House of Ballads quest in the demo? I have looked for it for ages. Im assuming its the quest with the boss at the end.
 
FuzzyNorman said:
Where is the House of Ballads quest in the demo? I have looked for it for ages. Im assuming its the quest with the boss at the end.
Click to expand...

If it's the one I'm thinking of, it starts with the
injured Fae in the first city; you'll eventually make it to House of Ballads through it and can get the quest for the Grave Thresh
.
 
FuzzyNorman said:
Where is the House of Ballads quest in the demo? I have looked for it for ages. Im assuming its the quest with the boss at the end.
Click to expand...

Do the quest to
help the hurt Fae. Once you heal her, the quest giver will send you to her people in the woods. That's the House of Ballads. The quest that will take you to a boss fight (Grave Thresh) is given to you by a guy in the courtyard at the House of Ballads. You'll see him in front of a big door as you cross the bridge into their area. He'll have ! over his head.
 
Baconsammy said:
Yeah, the impression I got from reading Joe's responses is that everything I dislike about the camera system, they love. It seriously makes me question what kind of games they were using as inspiration since he at one point praises the follow-system as the best of its kind. I don't think so many of us are whining about the camera simply because it's new and we hate new things. I think it's because the camera system generally just sucks. I'm trying not to be too negative, because warts and all I love love love this game.
Click to expand...

I have no problems with the camera system. I like it quite a bit.
 
Baconsammy said:
I don't think a camera system that I have to constantly baby-sit is a good one. I also hate camera-centering that flashes into place instead of swinging into place.
Click to expand...

It is a auto/manual hybrid system. I feel it takes the best of both worlds and combines them into one. I never really felt like I was babysitting in the two playthroughs I had in the demo. It just felt natural to me.
 
Baconsammy said:
Do the quest to
help the hurt Fae. Once you heal her, the quest giver will send you to her people in the woods. That's the House of Ballads. The quest that will take you to a boss fight (Grave Thresh) is given to you by a guy in the courtyard at the House of Ballads. You'll see him in front of a big door as you cross the bridge into their area. He'll have ! over his head.
Click to expand...

Well that explains why I never saw it. I couldnt find the greater health potion for the Fae girl, so I just quit that quest.
 
Baconsammy said:
I don't think a camera system that I have to constantly baby-sit is a good one. I also hate camera-centering that flashes into place instead of swinging into place.
Click to expand...

Worst I have seen with it is that it may turn a tad much when I straighten it out after going around a corner. Other than that I have no issues and retain control at all times. Of course I am the type who loves full control of my camera and am constantly tweaking and spinning it into position without much thought. Never once have I been annoyed or felt like I was fighting it here. Everyone plays differently and has their preferences, though.
 
Dr. Kitty Muffins said:
It is a auto/manual hybrid system. I feel it takes the best of both worlds and combines them into one. I never really felt like I was babysitting in the two playthroughs I had in the demo. It just felt natural to me.
Click to expand...

While fighting I don't baby-sit the camera. It feels good there. My complaints are mainly when I'm just walking/running around. I constantly have to center the camera.
 
FuzzyNorman said:
Well that explains why I never saw it. I couldnt find the greater health potion for the Fae girl, so I just quit that quest.
Click to expand...

You can either go through the trouble of making one, or simply buy it at the shop right across from where the girl is lying on the ground. But the quest to go to the dungeon is independent of the hurt-fae girl's quest. You could simply run to the House of Ballads and grab the other quest and do it. You'll need to know where it is though, because you wont have the quest indicator on your map showing you the way as you would have if you did the hurt-fae girl quest.
 
I really love the amount of deatil they use for pretty much everything. The way that Wolves fight in packs, The detail on seemingly everything the duneons, clothing/ armor sets (especially the mages robes),etc. I even like how the lorestones fill you in on a bunch of little details about the world, and history.

With the camera I did not like it at first (PS3) but then I took someones advice on the forums and tried turn down the sensitivity and that helped alot, guess i'm just getting used to it although some tweaks would still be appreciated. It sounds like they designed it this way for a reason, but they don't seem against implementing the feedback they can. Don't know if this makes sense but it feels like they tried to do God of Wars fixed camera with a manual control option, makes it feel really strange at first.

Really can't wait to see how the game opens up, Want that Warsworn armor badly.
 
ReaperXL07 said:
I really love the amount of deatil they use for pretty much everything. The way that Wolves fight in packs, The detail on seemingly everything the duneons, clothing/ armor sets (especially the mages robes),etc. I even like how the lorestones fill you in on a bunch of little details about the world, and history.
Click to expand...

Yeah, all the enemies appear to have their own attack patterns, both solo and in groups. I love how different a wolf attack is than a bear or a boggart. I found the lorestones to be quite amusing. It's like a bunch of random people walked by one and recorded whatever they felt like and moved on.
 
Wish this was out today. I got a whole weekend of nothing to do (besides watch football tomorrow).

The world needs more open-world RPGs.
 
I finally managed to play the demo, but it just didn't do it for me. And the problem is, I can't think of a good reason why. I didn't mind the camera, the combat was fun and engaging, the game looks beautiful, the slice of the narrative kept me interested, and I experienced none of the glitches. But by the time I finished the tutorial section, I just couldn't be bothered to go exploring so I just turned it off. It's a great game, but it just didn't resonate with me.
 
Lavalamp1138 said:
I finally managed to play the demo, but it just didn't do it for me. And the problem is, I can't think of a good reason why. I didn't mind the camera, the combat was fun and engaging, the game looks beautiful, the slice of the narrative kept me interested, and I experienced none of the glitches. But by the time I finished the tutorial section, I just couldn't be bothered to go exploring so I just turned it off. It's a great game, but it just didn't resonate with me.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you like it, you're just not in the mood. Try it again in a day or two.
 
Lavalamp1138 said:
I finally managed to play the demo, but it just didn't do it for me. And the problem is, I can't think of a good reason why. I didn't mind the camera, the combat was fun and engaging, the game looks beautiful, the slice of the narrative kept me interested, and I experienced none of the glitches. But by the time I finished the tutorial section, I just couldn't be bothered to go exploring so I just turned it off. It's a great game, but it just didn't resonate with me.
Click to expand...
Same thing happened to me. Give it another shot - wander around the world, do some quests, find some loot. I didn't have any interest in continuing after the tutorial, but once it opens up the appeal became much clearer for me.
 
Just tried to play with m/kb instead of 360 controller. Much more enjoyable. The camera is not a problem anymore. It could be a bit higher but other than that I did not have any problems.
 
So apprently theft is chance based, I was messing around with a rogue build and stole some loot from the chest in the alchemy shop, no one was in the room and the only person in the building was the shop owner. I steal a hood from the chest and guards are on me in a few seconds. I did notice a % next to the items so it appears that it's based on your stealth skill on wether or not your caught stealing.
 
ReaperXL07 said:
So apprently theft is chance based, I was messing around with a rogue build and stole some loot from the chest in the alchemy shop, no one was in the room and the only person in the building was the shop owner. I steal a hood from the chest and guards are on me in a few seconds. I did notice a % next to the items so it appears that it's based on your stealth skill on wether or not your caught stealing.
Click to expand...

Yep, completely unrealistic. I hope the final version doesn't behave this way. If no one is around, your percentage should climb exponentially. Meanwhile I can get a 100 percent chance to steal with people staring right at me. The final has to implement it better than that (fingers crossed).
 
Baconsammy said:
Yep, completely unrealistic. I hope the final version doesn't behave this way. If no one is around, your percentage should climb exponentially. Meanwhile I can get a 100 percent chance to steal with people staring right at me. The final has to implement it better than that (fingers crossed).
Click to expand...

As a whole the game seems to embrace its video gameness a little too much, seems rather hard to get immersed.

I don't really mind as I like video games to be video games, but I can bet its going to bug the shit out of some people.
 
Baconsammy said:
Yep, completely unrealistic. I hope the final version doesn't behave this way. If no one is around, your percentage should climb exponentially. Meanwhile I can get a 100 percent chance to steal with people staring right at me. The final has to implement it better than that (fingers crossed).
Click to expand...

yeah I agree, I understand why they did it from an RPG standpoint to make the stealth skill worthwhile, but it's still really annoying when I get an Army of guards because they "just know" that I stole something in a building that virtually no one is in.

I'm really wondering what kinds of things i'm missing in some of these dungeons though, the detect hidden skill is there for a reason, and I remember in a few walkthroughs that some doors, chests, and other things are not even visiable to you unless you have a certian number of points in detect hidden. That should make it worthwhile to go back into earlier areas to search for the secrets.

Also LOL
at the Ghost gnome when killing him before the bear. got a kick out of that one.
 
Hmm, I only played 15 minutes, might give it a go later, but right now two things rub me the wrong way:

1. CAMERA!!! Is there a way to zoom out?

2. UI is a mess, it should have been at most 60% of what it is now. Lot's of clutter.
 
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