Support NeoGAF

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

If building a world via zones is worth knocking off a point, Zelda and Fable would have received lesser scores all around. Zones did not hurt those games at all, in fact it made them more focused which enhanced the experience for those games. Comparing a zoned third person combat heavy console action/RPG to an open world , open approach, first person WRPG that is more akin to PC WRPG's is silly.

It is like comparing Quake to Gears of War.

 

[OTIX]

I think the game feels less open than it actually is. The lack of a jump button, impassable knee-high walls, etc. You can't even run off a ledge unless you find an approved "jump down" spot. This makes it feel more like Fable rather than an open world game.

 

[Rokam]

Yes because any game with color is automatically not ugly and any game with muted tones is automatically ugly.

You said it not me. "At least wow being ugly makes sense because they want it to be colorful/run on even the crappiest computers."

 

[Baconsammy]

If building a world via zones is worth knocking off a point, Zelda and Fable would have received lesser scores all around. Zones did not hurt those games at all, in fact it made them more focused which enhanced the experience for those games.

Deduct points from WoW as well.

 

[daedalius]

I think the game feels less open than it actually is. The lack of a jump button, impassable knee-high walls, etc. You can't even run off a ledge unless you find an approved "jump down" spot. This makes it feel more like Fable rather than an open world game.

I'd like a jump button, but I don't think it makes the world feel less open. Just pulls me out a bit when I can only jump at an approved spot but it is understandable.

It isn't even supposed to be an open world game, so I don't get why that would knock points off.

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

Deduct points from WoW as well.

Imaginary Reviewer:

The use of bright colors is terribly confusing because the game designers obviously want a dark, gritty mature look. I can't let my friends see me playing this!





LOL!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rokam]

I'd like a jump button, but I don't think it makes the world feel less open. Just pulls me out a bit when I can only jump at an approved spot but it is understandable.

It isn't even supposed to be an open world game, so I don't get why that would knock points off.

Actually it's supposed to be an open world game. At least that's what their website states it is. I don't mind though, I have a tendency to wander off if I'm given total control, and I need to beat the game before ME3 comes out!

 

[daedalius]

Actually it's supposed to be an open world game. At least that's what their website states it is. I don't mind though, I have a tendency to wander off if I'm given total control, and I need to beat the game before ME3 comes out!

I wonder if they say that because open-world is much easier for an average consumer to figure out rather than zone-guided.

They call WoW a huge open world as well, and when you are leveling in that game, you have to stick to a pretty distinct leveling path. This seems pretty similar. Once you are like, massively high level, the game is pretty open I guess, since you can go anywhere you want at that point.

 

[Mareg]

All I really want to know is how the PC version fare compared to console version. Is this a full fledged port or a scrappy one ? Did they take the time to create a real PC engine ? Was it the focused platform ?

 

[ReaperXL7]

I wonder if they say that because open-world is much easier for an average consumer to figure out rather than zone-guided.

They call WoW a huge open world as well, and when you are leveling in that game, you have to stick to a pretty distinct leveling path. This seems pretty similar. Once you are like, massively high level, the game is pretty open I guess, since you can go anywhere you want at that point.

Ken Rolston, and the team as awhole have always stated that it was a "guided" open world. So anyone who was expecting Skyrim, was asking to be let down from the start really. The fact is that in KOAR, you can go anywhere you want in the world that your able to reach. Some areas might slap you around if you go too early, but your not held in one zone. You'll only travel from point, to point if thats the way you choose to play the game.
So basically it is an open world, but it's not a sandbox like Skyrim. Some are going to deduct points for that without even playing the game.

 

[eznark]

You said it not me. "At least wow being ugly makes sense because they want it to be colorful/run on even the crappiest computers."

Personally I have no problem with the chosen palette or really the world even. I cannot get past the character designs.

 

[Rokam]

Personally I have no problem with the chosen palette or really the world even. I cannot get past the character designs.

I get that, the playable races are lackluster in my opinion, but I'll just be hiding them under armor anyways. Story is the main factor for me, like the premise and hope it delivers.

 

[ReaperXL7]

Personally I have no problem with the chosen palette or really the world even. I cannot get past the character designs.

Not a fan of 90's comics I take it?

 

[shaowebb]

If a demo the studio said wasn't up to their own standards could make me feel so good in an rpg that I'd jump back into the Western ones the I don't really trust a bunch of magazines that tend to bump the numbers up on any "exclusive review" games they happen to get. In fact anymore I can rarely believe most magazines given some of the stuff I've seen. I remember one dumping all over Okami and giving it low scores until the next magazine issue came out after it stole the show at a major game event unanimously as the best in show. They then sang nothing but praise for it to jump on board the hype and to show they liked what the cool people wanted them to like.

Forget reviews like that, just play it for yourself and see if it feels fun. The demo felt great and earned 4+ replays from me. Character ability customization was already getting me hooked and I was eagerly scavenging for alchemy and gem creation pieces hoping to socket a custom gem in a weapon before a playthrough ended last time. If this is me touching the surface then I'm more than sold. Trust your OWN reviews and play it. Most magazine's are biased towards certain titles that are already established and won't really gush about things until someone tells them its cool anymore.

 

[Toki767]

I wasn't expecting 9s and 10s across the board or anything. The reviews so far aren't exactly swaying my opinion to get the game since they're mentioning stuff I already knew about.

 

[Otrebor Nightmarecoat]

If the game is just a better Fable that will be enough for me to buy it.

 

[shaowebb]

If the game is just a better Fable that will be enough for me to buy it.

Its easily that in a lot of ways.

 

[chifanpoe]

I wasn't expecting 9s and 10s across the board or anything. The reviews so far aren't exactly swaying my opinion to get the game since they're mentioning stuff I already knew about.

I was thinking mid 8's to low 9's based off early previews and playing the demo /sans bugs.

7.8 I am a bit surprised with.

... I wonder if this had been a Mass Effect or Dragon Age squeal if it would be mid 9's

If the game is just a better Fable that will be enough for me to buy it.

I think the demo has shown that it already is in many ways.

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

Um, so random sex with prostitutes, three-foursomes and killing your wife isn't adult enough?

Damn, this game must really be edgy.

Not to be argumentative, but I think Amalur actually is adult with Fable being really immature.

 

[Imp the Dimp]

- good story that could've been better.

A good story is a con now?

 

[ironcreed]

If the game is just a better Fable that will be enough for me to buy it.

That was my impression of the game from the very beginning. It represents the direction that I wanted Fable II and III to go in, only much better.

 

[Haunted]

Sounds like some fair criticism.

Bummed out that the camera issues apparently haven't been fixed even though the devs clearly stated otherwise. With goodwill, I'll just chalk that up to the devs not really understanding what the problem was.

I didn't really like the narrow corridors, seems like Amalur's demo zone was a world full of canyons and borders. It definitely doesn't feel as "real" as a completely sandboxy world with open traversal options.

I've still enjoyed my time and I'm sure that'll translate to the full game. 50 hours is substantial.

 

[ReaperXL7]

Sounds like some fair criticism.

Bummed out that the camera issues apparently haven't been fixed even though the devs clearly stated otherwise. With goodwill, I'll just chalk that up to the devs not really understanding what the problem was.

I didn't really like the narrow corridors, seems like Amalur's demo zone was a world full of canyons and borders. It definitely doesn't feel as "real" as a completely sandboxy world with open traversal options.

I've still enjoyed my time and I'm sure that'll translate to the full game. 50 hours is substantial.

Being fair they never stated it would fixed at launch, Joe has been taking feedback on the camera, but he also stated that it would not be fixed day 1.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=34726204&postcount=248

 

[nowai]

Camera is likely to get a patch. The devs have taken feedback regarding the issue.

I hope they stay true to their word, but I'm done giving companies $60 for an unpolished game.

After the abysmal launches New Vegas, Dead Island and RAGE, I'm not going to fall for it again.

I'll pick it up on a Steam sale if they fix the loose and super zoomed in camera.

 

[Baconsammy]

I wasn't expecting 9s and 10s across the board or anything. The reviews so far aren't exactly swaying my opinion to get the game since they're mentioning stuff I already knew about.

I was expecting low 80s average. Much like Borderlands, which if I base it simply on amount of time I played it, is a 100. All I care about ultimately is getting my money's worth. I got my money's worth with Skyrim, Dark Souls and Gears 3 last year. I didn't with Uncharted 3 and Rage. Based only on the demo, I'm thinking I'll be getting my money's worth.

 

[Kem0sabe]

I hope they stay true to their word, but I'm done giving companies $60 for an unpolished game.

After the abysmal launches New Vegas, Dead Island and RAGE, I'm not going to fall for it again.

I'll pick it up on a Steam sale if they fix the loose and super zoomed in camera.

Out of those three you mention, i think only rage deserves a vehement "never buy this crap" sticker. New Vegas and to a less degree Dead Island were awesome for me.

Tho i do agree that these days launches are getting crappier, with poor support and QA. Regarding KoA, im waiting and seeing, especially because i figure it will be in the bargain bin before the summer is here, perfect timing for a cheap buy.

 

[Reveirg]

I have a hard time gauging my interest towards Western RPGs ever since I gave Skyrim a try (because of the rave reviews and impressions), and got bored out of my mind playing it.

I'm a JRPG fan but I did like the recent Deus Ex, and I like the visuals and Action-RPG style of Amalur.

I'm really undecided and I really can't trust reviews anymore =/

 

[nowai]

Out of those three you mention, i think only rage deserves a vehement "never buy this crap" sticker. New Vegas and to a less degree Dead Island were awesome for me. .

I eventually got a lot of enjoyment out of New Vegas and Dead Island, but on PC, they were unplayable for me at launch.

They shipped the freaking dev build of Dead Island at launch, so that was unplayable for about a week until it was patched. New Vegas required the dx9.dll fix at launch to have decent FPS.

At least with Bethesda based games, the community can and does fix their broken hot messes.

Back on topic though, I really hope 38 Studios follows through with fixing the issues. I would love to support their independent venture and purchase through Steam.

 

[DevelopmentArrested]

Embargo up tomorrow right? What time again is IGN's review due?

 

[Khezu]

Embargo up tomorrow right? What time again is IGN's review due?

There going to stream the beginning of the game for two hours at like 12 in some time zone, then post the review.

Anyway I expect a high score from IGN and gametrailers, and around 8's from everywhere else, and a 6 from edge.

 

[Haunted]

Being fair they never stated it would fixed at launch, Joe has been taking feedback on the camera, but he also stated that it would not be fixed day 1.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost...&postcount=248

Oh, I never saw that post, just his progress report that he thinks the issues are fixed now (in the build he's working on).

It's not a game breaker for me in the first place, but it's good that it's actually going to be taken care of quickly. Hopefully.

 

[ced]

I don't know if it's been mentioned, but with all the camera bitching. The devs have mentioned on their forums they have added some more camera options. I just don't think they have mentioned if it's in the final GM code or coming later in a patch, or when that patch will be.

I agree though, the camera sucked in the demo.

Edit:

Right above my post, I'm an idiot.

 

[Rad-]

If the game is just a better Fable that will be enough for me to buy it.

Game looks to be much better RPG but I just wish it had the same amount of charm. That's Fable's best quality.

 

[Hawk269]

All I really want to know is how the PC version fare compared to console version. Is this a full fledged port or a scrappy one ? Did they take the time to create a real PC engine ? Was it the focused platform ?

PC version looks the best if you have a good rig. Outside of that, it pretty much is a port. Game has serious LOD/Pop-In of textures issues that have been confirmed by the dev. to be "it is what it is". So the short answer, no they did not create a real PC engine.

 

[sloppyjoe_gamer]

Picking this up and Jak and Daxter Collection next week. They both come out on the same day...can't wait!!!!!!

 

[spirity]

Game looks to be much better RPG but I just wish it had the same amount of charm. That's Fable's best quality.

The demo has hinted at Amalur sharing Fable's quirky humor. There are stones that you activate dotted about the world that impart a (voiced) story. One of them was about a chicken and it was very Fable-esque.

 

[eznark]

PC version looks the best if you have a good rig. Outside of that, it pretty much is a port. Game has serious LOD/Pop-In of textures issues that have been confirmed by the dev. to be "it is what it is". So the short answer, no they did not create a real PC engine.

Is that a real quote? Our textures suck but it is what it is?

 

[Sylonious]

That'd be a bit of a setback for 38 Studios if that happens, imo. 70-80 aren't necessarily bad scores, but they need to knock it out of the park with the reviews. It's a new IP, new company, looks a bit generic at surface glance, and the screenshots/trailers don't really do it justice. I think they need to hit the 90%+ in order to get the general audiences attention.

I can't say whether the game will deserve great scores or not, but I hope it does. I like the dev team and their philosophy, and I hope this pans out for their sake...especially since they have a lot of plans for the future. A bomb here could be pretty demoralizing for a new upstart studio.

I hate to admit it, but I might be part of the problem. I'm considering waiting for a price drop or until the first patch comes in if it turns out the bugs and camera issues from the demo persist. Oddly enough, Amazon isn't offering any of those preorder $10/20 bonuses like it does for a lot of other games. I'd probably have bought in at that promo. But seeing how it's pretty high on the preorder rankings already, I guess they don't really have to.

Exactly, Schilling is doing a media tour and buying a Super Bowl ad for the game.

They wanted to go straight from Kingdoms of Amalur into the MMO Corpernicus competing against SWTOR and Wow.

 

[Baconsammy]

Is that a real quote? Our textures suck but it is what it is?

AKA the Green Bay theory of defense.

 

[ReaperXL7]

Is that a real quote? Our textures suck but it is what it is?

not quite.

http://forums.reckoning.amalur.com/showthread.php?3511-LOD-distance-on-the-PC&p=60523#post60523

 

[chifanpoe]

There going to stream the beginning of the game for two hours at like 12 in some time zone, then post the review.

Anyway I expect a high score from IGN and gametrailers, and around 8's from everywhere else, and a 6 from edge.

For those of us who have already bought the game I know scores do not matter much. For those who are on the fence or only buy games based off of review scores I hope they get a few 9's from some major sites. I want this studio and team to survive and make more games.

 

[The_Darkest_Red]

not quite.

http://forums.reckoning.amalur.com/showthread.php?3511-LOD-distance-on-the-PC&p=60523#post60523

It's nice to see some frank honesty from developers once in awhile. It's a shame that this is an issue but I think this is a better way to handle it than ignoring the complaints or making up some crap about how it will be patched at a later date or something.

 

[Baconsammy]

For those of us who have already bought the game I know scores do not matter much. For those who are on the fence or only buy games based off of review scores I hope they get a few 9's from some major sites. I want this studio and team to survive and make more games.

Low 80s didn't hurt a little new IP called Borderlands.

 

[spirity]

For those of us who have already bought the game I know scores do not matter much. For those who are on the fence or only buy games based off of review scores I hope they get a few 9's from some major sites. I want this studio and team to survive and make more games.

Agreed. But I also want this game to do well because we (ok, -I-) desperately need more open world rpgs.

 

[AgentP]

They should have spent less time on good combat and story and more time on purdy graphics, repetitive quests and dragons.

 

[Baconsammy]

Agreed. But I also want this game to do well because we (ok, -I-) desperately need more open world rpgs.

After the huge success of Skyrim, I don't think you have much to worry about there.

 

[chifanpoe]

Low 80s didn't hurt a little new IP called Borderlands.

So true!

 

[Neuromancer]

If the game is just a better Fable that will be enough for me to buy it.

Yeah I think that's more or less what it will be, which is why I'm so pumped. I never quite got over how disappointing F3 was.

 

[Baconsammy]

So true!

Yeah, Borderlands was a straight-up word-of-mouth hit despite the whining of reviewers. Not saying KOA will be the same, but we just had a 70 page demo thread. I think it bodes well. If a low res texture on a tree scares some kids away, so be it. More for me!

 

[Sylonious]

I don't understand why the PSM3 review would say it was "upwards of 50 hours" when the devs said doing a speed run it would take you at least 200 hours to get through all the side quests alone.

Sounds like the PSM3 reviewer barely scratched the side quests.