Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
A resurrected hero fights fate in the Faelands of Amalur.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is an action role-playing game that came out in 2012. Big Huge Games developed it, while 38 Studios and Electronic Arts handled publishing for Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The player controls the Fateless One, a resurrected character who has broken free from the fate that was supposed to doom everyone in Amalur. The game was meant to serve as an introduction to the Amalur setting, which was originally created for the canceled MMORPG Project Copernicus.
Production started in 2009, built on a reworked prototype that existed before 38 Studios bought Big Huge Games. The game was developed as a standalone project, though it was intended to lead into the larger MMO. Notable contributors included artist Todd McFarlane, designer Ken Rolston, and composer Grant Kirkhope. Critics praised the combat and graphics but criticized the story and a lack of depth or originality. Sales were higher than expected for a new intellectual property and helped Electronic Arts' profits, but the game underperformed for 38 Studios and Big Huge Games. Two DLC expansions were released, but a planned sequel was canceled when 38 Studios shut down.
A remastered version called Re-Reckoning came out in 2020 for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. A Nintendo Switch port and a third expansion, Fatesworn, followed in 2021. Kaiko developed the remaster and expansion, and THQ Nordic published them after acquiring the Amalur intellectual property. Re-Reckoning adjusted gameplay balance and included all previous DLC content. It received mixed reviews due to technical issues, which were later patched, and because mechanics that felt innovative at launch had aged.
In gameplay, players explore the Faelands as the Fateless One, customizing gender, appearance, and race from four options: the human Almain and Varani, and the Alfar Ljosalfar and Dokkalfar. Each race gives different attribute boosts, and further passive bonuses come from choosing a patron deity. Movement is limited to walking or running through open areas and dungeons, with contextual jumps to lower spots and the ability to swim. Quests include main story missions, faction storylines, non-repeatable side quests, and repeatable tasks, all given by NPCs across five regions. Experience points from quests, discoveries, and activities raise the character's level and stats.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
- Developer
- Big Huge Games
- Publisher
- 38 Studios · Electronic Arts
- Producer
- Sean Bean
- Director
- Mark Nelson
- Designer
- Ian Frazier · Ken Rolston
- Programmer
- Bryant Freitag
- Composer
- Grant Kirkhope · Mark Cromer
- Artist
- Tim Coman · Todd McFarlane
- Writer
- Erik J. Caponi · Andrew Auseon · Tom Murphy
- Released
- NA · February 7, 2012 · AU · February 9, 2012 · EU · February 10, 2012
- Genre
- Action role-playing
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Production of Reckoning began in 2009 based on the Amalur setting created by 38 Studios founder Curt Schilling and writer R. A. Salvatore for their in-development MMORPG Project Copernicus. Using a reworked game prototype created prior to 38 Studios acquiring Big Huge Games, Reckoning was intended to introduce the Amalur universe prior to Project Copernicus, but was otherwise developed as a standalone project. Several notable figures contributed to the game's design including artist Todd McFarlane, designer Ken Rolston, and composer Grant Kirkhope.
The game is set within the world of Amalur, with events taking place across the Faelands, a land separated into two distinct territories by a great river. All things in the Faelands follow a destined path dictated by the Fate Weave, which can be read by gifted individuals dubbed Fateweavers. The current age is referred to as the 'Age of Arcana', a time when unknown magic is beginning to manifest. Native to the Faelands are the immortal Fae of the Summer and Winter Courts, respectively representing new life and decay. Recent arrivals include mortal races such as humans, the Ljosalfar and Dokkalfar tribes of the Alfar, and gnomes. By the game's opening, the mortal races and Summer Fae are threatened by the Tuatha Deohn, a hostile faction of the Winter Fae worshipping the god Tirnoch who are destined to wipe out all life in the Faelands.
The main protagonist is the Fateless One, a dead person brought back by the Well of Souls—a gnome-made device intended to revive the dead—and consequently severed from the Fate Weave and suffering from amnesia. The plot follows the Fateless One's journey to change Amalur's destined destruction, aided by allies including the gnome Fomorous Hughes, the Fateweaver Agarth, the Dokkalfar assassin Alyn Shir, and the Ljosalfar general Tilera ap Gwydion.
Reader's Guide
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was praised by critics for its combat design and graphics, but the story and lack of gameplay depth or original features saw criticism. While selling above expectations for a new intellectual property and contributing to Electronic Arts' fiscal profits, it commercially underperformed for 38 Studios and Big Huge Games. Two downloadable content expansions were released, but a planned sequel was canceled with the closure of 38 Studios. A remastered version subtitled Re-Reckoning was released in 2020 for Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with a Nintendo Switch port and a third expansion Fatesworn released in 2021. The remaster and expansion were developed by Kaiko and published by THQ Nordic, which had acquired the Amalur intellectual property. Re-Reckoning featured adjustments to the gameplay balance and incorporated all previous DLC features. The release saw mixed reviews due to technical issues which were addressed in patches, and the ageing of mechanics considered innovative at release. The game's legacy includes its role as a showcase for the Amalur setting and its influence on later action RPGs, though its commercial struggles and the collapse of 38 Studios curtailed further development.
Did You Know?
- The game was developed using a reworked prototype created before 38 Studios acquired Big Huge Games.
- A remastered version, Re-Reckoning, was released in 2020 with a third expansion Fatesworn in 2021.
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