Not much was done to Kingdoms of Amalur with the Re-Reckoning because not much was needed, this game is perfect. This RPG was a gem and massively underrated, which made the re-reckoning remaster a big deal giving this incredible journey a much-needed second lease on life. While the remaster isn’t the most dramatic makeover, far from it, it was absolutely perfect for those looking to dive right in.
Kingdoms of Amalur first made its debut back in 2012 and while hailed for its dynamic characters and amazing combat, it didn’t seem to get the spotlight that many felt it deserved. It was one of my favorite RPGs from the last 10 years, so going in with more modernized graphics was a treat beyond comparison.
Not only did the graphics get a slight overhaul, nothing to make it unrecognizable, but the combat was made to be much more smooth as well. The characters were boosted, the sounds were amplified, and the adventure was just as addictive as I remembered it being 8 years ago.
2018-2020 has been a period rife with remakes and remasters, giving old favorites another chance in the spotlight. While some of those have been dramatic re-imaginings as seen with the Final Fantasy VII Remake, the Kingdoms of Amalur take tweaked what was already incredibly profound. Small changes to the look and feel made this feel like a new experience both for newcomers and veterans of the franchise.
One thing that made this tale so incredible is that it was written by Forgotten Realms author R.A Salvatore, which means that players can expect an intricate narrative filled with glory, adventure, and memorable characters.
Spawn’s Todd McFarlane was also attached to this behind the unique art style and together, they crafted an unforgettable experience that deserves to be played.
In Kingdoms of Amalur, players can create their own character that was brought back from death as they craft their own destiny through the power of choice, and through the brutality of battle. The story prompts players to become the hero by rescuing a world that has been ravaged by war in the ever-growing pursuit for immortality.
With 100s of hours of gameplay filled with fantastical locations to explore with hundreds of characters to meet, the journey of Amalur is tailored to what the player is looking for while surviving a world filled with magic and conquest.
Another aspect that I’m excited for people to experience, especially for those that missed out on this title at release, is the combat. The remaster improved the fluidity of the combat, which is incredible when looking at how hailed it was back in 2012.
Players can customize their battle style by choosing their class and tailoring specific skills. Kingdoms of Amalur has a very dynamic and immersive fighting style and is responsive in a way that makes every fight immensely satisfying.
My personal favorite is choosing a magic-focused style and then peppering in melee. Alternating between the two styles with two weapon sets is a feature that is widely loved by many and for great reason. Each fight can be approached differently, making combat progressive in a way that never feels dull or like a chore.
Players will have the option to choose from millions of skill combinations when looking at all of the abilities offered, weapon types, armors, and skills in-game. This level of customization means that Amalur is a game for every type of gamer: for those that love a good challenge and for those that are simply wanting to immerse in a new story.
The Destinies feature in Amalur is also something that always struck out to me as unique and, honestly, enjoyable. Players can progress with Destinies, a feature that acts as cards in-game, allowing for players to tailor their particular build or mix and match between several options.
While I personally loved going the Seer magic route, there is no stopping players from switching up their ‘deck’ thanks to the Fateweavers seen in-game. Experiment, master, and switch it up when it comes to each build, which at times can effectively make Re-Reckoning feel like an entirely different game.
From the lighting changes to the minor changes seen in fluidity and overall graphics, the Kingdoms of Amalur Re-Reckoning isn’t a massive overhaul because it really doesn’t need to be. All this remaster did was perfect something that was already phenomenal.
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If you enjoyed the launch of Amalur, the remaster will be an additional treat and motivation to dive in for a new playthrough. If you’re new to this game, please don’t sleep on Re-Reckoning. This RPG is gorgeous, it’s revolutionary, and it’s a tale that will stick with you long after the end credits roll.
