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[Amir0x]

Ya no SB ads, though we would have loved one, or two

The LOD stuff, I am actively looking at it, and for it, and honestly it's not something that's affecting the game play for me.

Now understand that has NOTHING to do with how it's going to affect you, but I urge you guys on the fence to watch this event, before deciding go/no go.

I think many of the demo concerns will be answered, maybe for the better, maybe for worse, but I am ok with whatever your purchase decision is once you see gamers actually playing it.

Like every game I've ever played I have nit picks and concerns, and you can assume this is a biased comment or not given my position, but I've run into nothing that's encroaching on my enjoyment.

I'm on the XBox build right now btw.

Hardest thing for me to date has been something that's plagued me forever in MMO's. Incorporating 'new' abilities. I get so set on my style that I have issues incorporating my new skills like shadow bolt/daggers when the get introduced

Also, even though I KNEW it to be true, I am finding it pretty damn cool that as I grow in ability, my 'skill' as a player can help me get better, twisting combo's and skills together.

One more thing, save Reckoning mode It's clear to me now, EVEN ON NORMAL MODE, that Reckoning mode is exactly what it was intended to be, an ultra powerful way to overcome an otherwise unbeatable encounter.

What's cool to me is that it's made me, even when my Reckoning meter is full, try to save it and persevere through some tougher encounters, saving Reckoning mode for battles I know are incoming.

Oh and one more thing, there are some "Boss" fights, end of quest fights, that our designers got sneaky as hell on.

Had one last night where I was like, oh man, nice, I did it. Only to turn around 30 seconds later and realize THIS was the final encounter, which was damn cool.

Are there a lot of bosses in this game? I read that comment from some review that said there weren't enough boss encounters, which is kind of hard to figure considering how large the game is

Edit: Also thank you Reckoning developers for making sprint essentially infinite. So good in big world games. Never understood the point in limiting sprint since it doesn't impact the challenge of the gameplay, it just makes overworld traversal more tedious.

 

[gehrig38]

Think of it like this.

If you were IGN and were getting exclusive reviews, but you started handing out scores of 5, would you continue to be offered exclusive reviews? Or would publishers find a website that's more.. agreeable?

I can't really say if there's moneyhatting involved (and this applies to every title, not just Amalur). I do know however that there are benefits to providing good scores. The promise of a free lunch is enticing, works, and is used in all areas of business, including the game industry.

I get this, but you also have to remember a few things.
1) NO ONE can keep a secret anymore
2) There is MASSIVE turn over in this industry
3) ANY company ANYWHERE that ever thought of 'paying off' a reviewer would risk such a massive hit in credibility as to literally fail in epic fashion were they to do this.
4) Sites like IGN, GameInformer, I would argue 90% of their 'value' to you guys, whether you agree with their opinions or not, is their 'word'. Can you imagine the massive hit they would take if players KNEW they'd been paid off? Both sides would get crushed.
5) Now I am sure it's happened somewhere before, this is the USA for cripes sake, but I would also tell you we've handed our game to 14 or so live streamers to play, with NO input from us on ANYTHING they say, or do, for an 8 hour replay. Lord knows this could backfire in epic fashion if we didn't believe in this, as they could get to a point where they didn't like it, or the game froze or bugged out, which would be horrific for us.

We are the upper 1% here, we are active gamers who seek like minded hard core gamers to tell us about games. The majority of the rest of gamers DON'T do this, they DO rely on IGN, GameInformer, Gamespot and more, to help them make purchase decisions.

That's why, at the end of the day, it comes down to 2 things. Quality of the experience, and quality of the code.

To be honest if you read the IGN review, it sounded higher than a 9.0 to me, it did. But the best part of the ENTIRE review was them discussing the gameplay and the fact they had NOT ONE freeze, not one game breaking bug, that is awesome, that makes me happier than you can imagine.

 

[Spruchy]

Are there a lot of bosses in this game? I read that comment from some review that said there weren't enough boss encounters, which is kind of hard to figure considering how large the game is

Edit: Also thank you Reckoning developers for making sprint essentially infinite. So good in big world games. Never understood the point in limiting sprint since it doesn't impact the challenge of the gameplay, it just makes overworld traversal more tedious.

In 16 hours I think I've encountered 3 'proper' bosses with life bars and all that jazz.

 

[spirity]

I get this, but you also have to remember a few things.
1) NO ONE can keep a secret anymore
2) There is MASSIVE turn over in this industry
3) ANY company ANYWHERE that ever thought of 'paying off' a reviewer would risk such a massive hit in credibility as to literally fail in epic fashion were they to do this.
4) Sites like IGN, GameInformer, I would argue 90% of their 'value' to you guys, whether you agree with their opinions or not, is their 'word'. Can you imagine the massive hit they would take if players KNEW they'd been paid off? Both sides would get crushed.
5) Now I am sure it's happened somewhere before, this is the USA for cripes sake, but I would also tell you we've handed our game to 14 or so live streamers to play, with NO input from us on ANYTHING they say, or do, for an 8 hour replay. Lord knows this could backfire in epic fashion if we didn't believe in this, as they could get to a point where they didn't like it, or the game froze or bugged out, which would be horrific for us.

We are the upper 1% here, we are active gamers who seek like minded hard core gamers to tell us about games. The majority of the rest of gamers DON'T do this, they DO rely on IGN, GameInformer, Gamespot and more, to help them make purchase decisions.

That's why, at the end of the day, it comes down to 2 things. Quality of the experience, and quality of the code.

To be honest if you read the IGN review, it sounded higher than a 9.0 to me, it did. But the best part of the ENTIRE review was them discussing the gameplay and the fact they had NOT ONE freeze, not one game breaking bug, that is awesome, that makes me happier than you can imagine.

Fair do's. I was speaking more generally however. Some news came to me recently, nothing to do with you guys or EA, that was pretty shameful. No moneyhatting, but the intent of the Publisher was shamefully clear.

I think you've got a great game and that IGN score is going to do wonders not only for Reckoning, but your IP (I'd give Reckoning an 8 fwiw so I don't find a 9 score objectionable). I'm keen to see how Reckoning 2 will shape up, and I haven't even played the first.

 

[Amir0x]

In 16 hours I think I've encountered 3 'proper' bosses with life bars and all that jazz.

That's cool. As long as the boss encounters are memorable, you don't need one every hour or something. That averages to about one every 5 1/2 hours, which is a fairly good time over a 40 hour game. That means like maybe eight or nine bosses over the course of the full game, maybe a few more counting secret optional extra difficult bosses that I'm sure exist out there

 

[Sothpaw]

I would also tell you we've handed our game to 14 or so live streamers to play, with NO input from us on ANYTHING they say, or do, for an 8 hour replay..

Honestly, IGN has very little credibility here. The writing is poor at best and full of hyperbole. Giving your game to the streamers carries a lot more weight with me, because streaming is still somewhat like the wild west and you are really putting your game out there.

The demo sold me on the game anyway though; IGN could have given the game a 3 or a 10 and it would make no difference to me.

 

[WanderingWind]

Yeah, I always hate this point while waiting for an anticipated release. It seems that everybody is playing it right now but me. Heh.

 

[Baconsammy]

I get this, but you also have to remember a few things.

Responding to people claiming payoffs and moneyhats is just giving them the sad attention they crave so much. I dislike IGN very much, but I understand what their reach is, and I completely understand why a company would give them an exclusive review window. I hope doing so nets you many more sales. Best of luck to you and your team, and thanks for being an active participant in this forum and your own.

 

[Amir0x]

Penny Arcade isn't like a review outlet, but they gave the game pretty glowing impressions. I don't read them but I stumbled upon the write up when I was reading details on the Feb 7 stream-a-thon

 

[spirity]

Responding to people claiming payoffs and moneyhats is just giving them the sad attention they crave so much.

Are you talking about me? Curt responded to me, so it appears that you are?

 

[Baconsammy]

Are you talking about me? Curt responded to me, so it appears that you are?

No, I wasn't signaling anyone out. My point is that acknowledging anyone whining about payoffs is fruitless and a huge waste of time and effort.

 

[Aesthet1c]

Fair do's. I was speaking more generally however. Some news came to me recently, nothing to do with you guys or EA, that was pretty shameful. No moneyhatting, but the intent of the Publisher was shamefully clear.

I think you've got a great game and that IGN score is going to do wonders not only for Reckoning, but your IP (I'd give Reckoning an 8 fwiw so I don't find a 9 score objectionable). I'm keen to see how Reckoning 2 will shape up, and I haven't even played the first.

How can you disagree with IGN's score, or give it a score of your own if you haven't even played it?

 

[Wonder Cheese]

I think you've got a great game and that IGN score is going to do wonders not only for Reckoning, but your IP (I'd give Reckoning an 8 fwiw so I don't find a 9 score objectionable). I'm keen to see how Reckoning 2 will shape up, and I haven't even played the first.

Just trying to make sure I understand what I just read. Did you just say you'd give the game an 8, and in the next sentence confirm that you haven't played it?

 

[Artadius]

Hey guys, its ok. I'm already giving the new Hobbit movies perfect 10s. Trust me, I can tell from the trailer. I'm an expert at these sorts of things.

Also, Diablo 3 is a 10/10 from the beta content alone. I mean I'm just saving myself time later on by putting it out here now, you know, just because.

 

[Oblivionmancer]

How can you disagree with IGN's score, or give it a score of your own if you haven't even played it?

I'm glad someone said it.

 

[ironcreed]

How can you disagree with IGN's score, or give it a score of your own if you haven't even played it?

 

[spirity]

Just trying to make sure I understand what I just read. Did you just say you'd give the game an 8, and in the next sentence confirm that you haven't played it?

I should have said, that's only based on the demo and the streams I've been watching. Applying a score when you haven't even played the retail is jumping the gun a bit I know, but I've seen enough to know I'll enjoy it.

edit
wow, you guys are lining up to put the boot in. haha

 

[I'm an expert]

I should have said, that's only based on the demo and the streams I've been watching. Applying a score when you haven't even played the retail is jumping the gun a bit I know, but I've seen enough to know I'll enjoy it.

edit
wow, you guys are lining up to put the boot in. haha

It's stupid shit like that which invalidates review scores and their relevance in the first place. Not that I think you made that comment with that intention, but there are people out there already willing to believe a review score who haven't seen/played the game, it's not surprising that there are people out there who'd slap an arbitrary number on a game without even playing the damn thing. Right, with what you've seen and played it is about an 8 in regards to your taste. But that "score" is based on how much you think you'll enjoy it, not a score actually taking into consideration all the parts of the game and their execution.

Either way, review scores are dumb, IGN is dumb, but money is not dumb and if this game wants to make it, it should do whatever it has to. I NEVER buy games day one but I've considered it with this game because of all the communication and heart the people behind it seem to have. Unfortunately I live in Japan so it's not the easiest to get a hold of day one without paying stupid prices or waiting a few weeks so I'm not sure what to do. (I'm a PS3 user, not PC).

 

[spirity]

It's stupid shit like that which invalidates review scores and their relevance in the first place. Not that I think you made that comment with that intention, but there are people out there already willing to believe a review score who haven't seen/played the game, it's not surprising that there are people out there who'd slap an arbitrary number on a game without even playing the damn thing. Right, with what you've seen and played it is about an 8 in regards to your taste. But that "score" is based on how much you think you'll enjoy it, not a score actually taking into consideration all the parts of the game and their execution.

Either way, review scores are dumb, IGN is dumb, but money is not dumb and if this game wants to make it, it should do whatever it has to. I NEVER buy games day one but I've considered it with this game because of all the communication and heart the people behind it seem to have. Unfortunately I live in Japan so it's not the easiest to get a hold of day one without paying stupid prices or waiting a few weeks so I'm not sure what to do. (I'm a PS3 user, not PC).

Its down to the individual to make a choice based on their feelings. You take in the review score, you take in the actual review, you download the demo, you read other reviews. You listen to people on messageboards, you listen to your friends, you read gaming magazines. You can even watch live streams. You can gorge yourself on information if you need to, to help you make a choice right for you.

You can still end up with a game you hate, but you can really get a good feel for a game you haven't even played by researching it. Theres a shit ton of info available to everyone if they put a bit of time in. And while most people won't go to the trouble of scouring the internet for every tidbit on a game, I think they will apply a bit of common sense and not just go off the score of 1 website. They'll read the review, watch a trailer, maybe look at a Lets Play or some other youtube vid. One websites score won't be what sells a game, but it can be what creates interest in it.

 

[Kusagari]

I foresee every WRPG from here out getting criticized for lack of bosses since every dragon in Skyrim was a 'boss fight'.

 

[I'm an expert]

Its down to the individual to make a choice based on their feelings. You take in the review score, you take in the actual review, you download the demo, you read other reviews. You listen to people on messageboards, you listen to your friends, you read gaming magazines. You can even watch live streams. You can gorge yourself on information if you need to, to help you make a choice right for you.

You can still end up with a game you hate, but you can really get a good feel for a game you haven't even played by researching it. Theres a shit ton of info available to everyone if they put a bit of time in. And while most people won't go to the trouble of scouring the internet for every tidbit on a game, I think they will apply a bit of common sense and not just go off the score of 1 website. They'll read the review, watch a trailer, maybe look at a Lets Play or some other youtube vid. One websites score won't be what sells a game, but it can be what creates interest in it.

But we know (to a certain extent) that's not true. One website and one review score does sell games. There are people who rely on them. I can't offer anything but anecdotes, but I recommended a friend of mine who is a gamer but not that into the scene Dark Souls. He said he had never heard of it, I told him I'll send him some links (GB Quick Look for example). Before I could, he responded to me with "IGN gave it a good score, I'll check it out". I was like..oh..right..of course.. what else should I expect? There are people who decide what movie they watch based off how many stars Ebert gives it, probably don't even bother with the review.

I don't know anyone personally who reads forums, checks scores, talks with friends, reads magazines, watches livestreams, or whatever else before buying a game. I don't even do all that and I'm a fairly big gamer. Sometimes you buy a game because you just want to. Sometimes you know you'll have a friend to play it with. Sometimes it's jut the next big thing. And sometimes you hit up metacritic, find a 90+, and there ya go.

 

[Kevtones]

I might be insane, but I quite enjoyed Arcania: Gothic 4 because of how streamlined it was. There were a lot of flaws to be sure, but the game was satisfying for how quick it moved. I quite liked its more segmented world too.


Playing the demo of this reminded me of it a bit only subtracting flaws with considerable polish. Love how fast it plays. It feels like it was made by people that have the same complaints I do with many RPGs. Things like quick harvesting and infinite sprinting are SO preferred. Helps that the combat is absolutely rockin'


Also, I really don't like the WoW art-style but I love the look of Reckoning.


Pumped for Tuesday!

 

[DaBuddaDa]

For those curious, I've confirmed the review embargo lifts at midnight tonight technically. Last possible second. Oh well!

 

[Sylonious]

For those curious, I've confirmed the review embargo lifts at midnight tonight technically. Last possible second. Oh well!

Thanks, I was looking around wondering why there were no reviews. Somebody else said the embargo was for noon today, I should have known better.

 

[cpp_is_king]

First (literally)

Posted: Feb 7, 2012 | Views: 0

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-kingdoms-of/726580


8.2

 

[Baconsammy]

1up B+

G4 TV 2.5/5

Gamespot 7.5


Destructoid 80

 

[soultron]

Joystiq 5/5

Been reading lots of reviews. It's funny that some praise certain aspects that others penalize Amalur for. It's hard to get a good "read" on things. However, I really enjoyed the demo, so I'll definitely be picking this up in the next week or two.

 

[I'm an expert]

Watched the GB quick look a bit..it's..exactly what you'd think it'd be. While probably fun, I can't see a single thing that about it that stands out. Will wait on it a bit.

 

[ThaneKrios]

Eurogamer - 8/10

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning does all the boring, difficult parts of RPG game design very well, and marries them to exceptionally slick combat and a towering stack of stuff to do. This well-oiled machine keeps you motoring through all the sludgy fantasy cliché and through a sluggish first act. Then - just as the world opens out and the story picks up traction - that motor really starts to sing. That's when a solid, workmanlike game becomes one that's virtually impossible to put down.

It's an unglamorous kind of success story, admittedly. And perhaps it's worrying for 38 Studios that the bland fantasy world it's hanging its future on is the least enticing aspect of its debut game. But it's not all elbow grease - Kingdoms of Amalur adds a splash of colour and a lick of polish to the open-world RPG, and they couldn't be more welcome.

 

[ReaperXL7]

Gameinformer 8/10
The Guardian 5/5 stars
\Computer & videogames 7.8
ai.com A
Fronttowardgamer 8.5
Gamefront.com 85
Destructoid Video Review
Destructoid Written Review 8
Gamerant 4/5
GamesRadar 8/10
Wegotthiscovered.com 4/5
Incgamers.com 9/10
G4TV 2.5/5
Ripten 8.5
GamingNexus A
tesskyrim.com 88
OXM Italy 9
OXM USA 8
OXM UK 7
GamersHub 4.5/5
VGRevolution 9

 

[Lagspike_exe]

Why did G4 give such a low score?

 

[Klyka]

Why did G4 give such a low score?

Cause you click their site to find out.

 

[Naeblish]

Watched the GB quick look a bit..it's..exactly what you'd think it'd be. While probably fun, I can't see a single thing that about it that stands out. Will wait on it a bit.

I kinda prefer fun over "it standing out". What are you waiting for?

It seems most reviews score it between average to great, mostly because the world and quests are so generic, which judging from the demo is probably true. While i think that is fair, these kind of games are almost always gems for me, because even though it may be generic, or has an art style i don't care for, the gameplay is so incredibly fun.

 

[ReaperXL7]

Why did G4 give such a low score?

I have not read it, but according to a few people who i've read comments from it seems a strange situation. He seems to hold things against Reckoning, that he praised in Skyrim, and it's coming off as less then genuine. Like I said I have not been able to read it yet though. still compiling more reviews.

The "overall" opinion though seems to range from good to great, and it also seems to be leaning into a Darksiders/Borderlands situation. So as long as the word of mouth from players is positive, I think Reckoning should do fine.

 

[Kifimbo]

Sessler (G4 alo gave Fable II 5/5) gave Fable III 4/5 and Amalur in 10 times the game Fable II and Fable III are. Different opinions I guess.

 

[pitcairn55]

Cause you click their site to find out.

I bit. I clicked.

Structurally bloated… Painfully pedantic combat… Shocking lack of polish… Bioware, Bethesda and Lionhead do it better… Bland… Mired in design issues that make it feel 8 years out of date… Leaves the player trudging through formulaic settings… Etc and so forth.

I’ve only played the demo myself, but I’m finding it hard to recognise what I’ve been playing from that review.

One of the commenters reckons maybe Curt didn’t sign Adam’s jersey, and now he’s pissed…

 

[ReaperXL7]

I bit. I clicked.


I’ve only played the demo myself, but I’m finding it hard to recognise what I’ve been playing from that review.

One of the commenters reckons maybe Curt didn’t sign Adam’s jersey, and now he’s pissed…

Wait....Bethesda does polish better!? I think I just had a heart attack..

 

[Elginer]

You and me both! lionhead and bethesda have polish? Thats some insane bullshit talk there!

 

[Wind's Howling]

Wait....Bethesda does polish better!? I think I just had a heart attack..

3 months after the release date and Skyrim is still unplayable on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

They DEFINITELY do polish their games better........

..... wait for it......

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

 

[Gattsu25]

Yay! The button on my steam pre-order changed from Pre-Load to Play

Gonna play this game as soon as I get off from work. I loved the demo.

Wait....Bethesda does polish better!? I think I just had a heart attack..

And combat. And they do not have anything formulaic about their game design.

I like Skyrim but it's hard to reconcile that quote in regards to any Bethesda game and I *LOVE* Bethesda games. (All the same criticisms apply but I can't say anything positive about the later Fable games)

 

[Opus Angelorum]

I think G4 were sent the wrong game, the review is so off the mark.

 

[nonnocere]

As far as Sessler's review, he really liked the combat initially, it seems. Oh well, you always have to have someone ooutside tside the bell curve.

I still look forward to getting lost in this one and general GAF impressions.

 

[Naeblish]

I think G4 were sent the wrong game, the review is so off the mark.

You should read the Skyrim review after the KoA one, it's praised like it's the second coming. Don't get me wrong, i think Skyrim is an awesome game, but Sessler is very clearly biased towards popularity.

 

[RevolverFox44]

I bit. I clicked.

I’ve only played the demo myself, but I’m finding it hard to recognise what I’ve been playing from that review.

One of the commenters reckons maybe Curt didn’t sign Adam’s jersey, and now he’s pissed…

Same thing I was thinking, nearly all of his criticisms are either the exact same things I feel about Skyrim/Dragon Age/Mass Effect/Two Worlds or are things I consider positives (Like resembling a game from 2004 and the way the world is structured). This is also the the guy who wrote "combat in Skyrim is as diverse and satisfying as all its other aspects ... a very diverse and deeply satisfying affair ... The animations portray power" LOL

 

[doubleplusgood]

Having only played the demo I am a bit supprised by the scores, I was expecting somewhat lower scores.

As for Sessler's review - The comment on Bethesda having more polish in their games seems a bit off. However he did touch on a few things I could agree on (soley based on the demo, mind you), namely the weak dialogues and the wonky camera.

Not going to buy this anytime soon, but once it goes on sales I might pick this up.

 

[ElyrionX]

I haven't been this excited for a game in a long time and my retail copy is installing as I type this. However, you guys need to simmer down. Everyone has an opinion and without getting into the issue of paid reviews and such, it's always better to respect someone else's opinion (and score) and learn to see things from a different perspective.

 

[ReaperXL7]

I haven't been this excited for a game in a long time and my retail copy is installing as I type this. However, you guys need to simmer down. Everyone has an opinion and without getting into the issue of paid reviews and such, it's always better to respect someone else's opinion (and score) and learn to see things from a different perspective.

I'm fine with different opinions, I knew awhile ago that Reckoning would not be for everyones taste, no game is. However, in the case of G4's review it easily comes off as....I'm not even sure the word to use. He marks of points for bugs, which is fine, but when he then states that Bethesda somehow does a better job polishing anything his opinion goes from being an "opinion" to being a lie. It's been months that Skyrim has been on store shelves, and the PS3 version still does not work and yet the game was given a perfect score. I smell bullshit.

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

Regular gamers will find it more appealing than reviewers IMO. It is built from the ground up to be as mass market as possible for an Action-RPG.

 

[DaBuddaDa]

Regular gamers will find it more appealing than reviewers IMO. It is built from the ground up to be as mass market as possible for an Action-RPG.

Absolutely agree, and there isn't a doubt in my mind that Amalur wouldn't be criticized for its side quests or genre conventions nearly as harsh if it came out before Skyrim and SWTOR instead of directly after. I'm sure a lot of these reviewers are quite burned out from the WRPG grind.

 

[Macstorm]

My take on it over at RPGamer.

And I'll gladly answer questions about my thoughts on it here.