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Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
Item: Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2020

GenresFantasy, Adventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, RPG, Fighting, Single Player

AvailableSep 8, 2020

PlatformPC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

DeveloperKaiko

Overview

The hit RPG returns! From the minds of the bestselling author R.A. Salvatore, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion lead designer Ken Rolston, comes Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning. Remastered with stunning visuals and refined gameplay Re-Reckoning delivers intense, customizable RPG combat inside a sprawling game world.

Elsewhere

7.3

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

48%

Mixed (50-79)

48%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning are quite varied. Some critics, such as Comicbook.com and God is a Geek, praise the story for its fascinating and top-notch writing, showcasing the skills of renowned fantasy author R.A. Salvatore. They find the story gripping, with a deep lore and an epic narrative. Additionally, GameStar and GamingTrend appreciate the involvement of R.A. Salvatore in the creation of the story, further emphasizing its quality and reputation. However, there are critics who express more negative opinions about the story. Critics like Pocket Tactics and Cubed3 find the story uninspired and lacking in excitement. They criticize the execution of the premise, direction, world-building, and quality of writing. Noisy Pixel also finds the story unimpressive and has difficulty feeling interested in it due to its presentation. Furthermore, IGN mentions that while the game has a detailed mythos and history, the exposition-heavy storytelling can become overwhelming and repetitive. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed opinion. While some critics appreciate the story's depth, lore, and involvement of R.A. Salvatore, others find it lacking in excitement, execution, and quality of writing. The positive aspects of the story include its fascinating and top-notch writing, as well as its exploration of high-level concepts like fate, destiny, and free will. On the other hand, the negative aspects include uninspired storytelling, repetitive structure, and uninteresting side quests. It is important to note that opinions on the story's quality are subjective, with some critics finding it enjoyable and others finding it lacking.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics are divided on the story of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning. Some praise its gripping narrative and deep lore by renowned author R.A. Salvatore, while others criticize its uninspired execution and repetitive storytelling. Overall, opinions vary on the quality of writing and storytelling, with positives like top-notch writing and exploration of high-level concepts, but negatives such as uninspired storytelling and repetitive structure.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

63%

Mixed (50-79)

38%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning are generally positive. The combat system is a standout feature, praised for its fluid animations, satisfying combos, and the ability to switch between different weapons on the fly. Critics such as Attack of the Fanboy, Comicbook.com, and Push Square highlight the enjoyable and versatile combat, with opportunities to play as different character archetypes and mix and match skills. The combat is described as fast-paced, engaging, and reminiscent of hack 'n' slash games like God of War. The customization options, including skill trees and class types, are also appreciated by critics like Hardcore Gamer and Starbit. The gameplay offers a sense of scale and variety, with diverse weapons, magic attacks, and the ability to manipulate fate and change destinies, as mentioned by Game Rant and Gamers' Temple. However, there are some criticisms regarding the gameplay of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning. CGMagazine and IGN mention that the combat system may be too easy and lacks challenge, with IGN noting that it feels simplistic compared to more modern games. Technical issues such as framerate drops and disrupted timing hinder the combat experience, as pointed out by Comicbook.com. NintendoWorldReport finds the absence of a targeting system baffling, and Noisy Pixel describes the combat as clunky and lacking smoothness. Some critics, like Worth Playing and Screen Rant, mention that while the combat is enjoyable, it doesn't stand out compared to other action-RPGs on the market and lacks anything truly special. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is enjoyable and offers a satisfying combat experience. The fluid and versatile combat system, along with the customization options and character progression, are praised by multiple critics. The ability to switch between different weapons and playstyles, as well as the dynamic nature of the combat, adds depth and variety to the gameplay. However, there are some concerns about the lack of challenge, technical issues, and the combat not standing out compared to other games in the genre. Despite these criticisms, the gameplay of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is generally regarded as a positive aspect of the game, providing players with fun and engaging combat mechanics and a diverse range of playstyle options.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics generally praise Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning for its fluid and dynamic combat system, versatile customization, and diverse playstyle options. However, some critics note issues like lack of challenge, technical glitches, and combat not standing out compared to other games in the genre. Overall, the game offers an enjoyable and satisfying gameplay experience with room for improvement.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

13%

Mixed (50-79)

74%

Negative (0-49)

13%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning are varied. Some critics, such as CGMagazine and Gamers' Temple, praise the game's visuals, highlighting the sharpness of the HD upgrade, vibrant and scenic environments, imaginative art style, and refined camera and combat mechanics. These positive aspects contribute to enhancing the overall visual experience of the game. Additionally, critics like Shindig and Starbit appreciate the cartoonish art style, noting that it has aged well and looks clean and crisp in the remastered version. However, there are several critics who express negative opinions about the game's graphics. Attack of the Fanboy, Comicbook.com, Game Rant, Worth Playing, and Screen Rant all mention that the game still retains its dated visuals, with fuzzy textures, frozen cutscenes, issues with character and enemy appearances, and blocky and inscrutable faces. They also criticize the lack of noticeable improvements and the outdated menu system and UI. Noisy Pixel and Pocket Tactics further add that the graphical fidelity is jarring, with blocky models and environments, and that the visuals feel generic and corridor-like in certain maps. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that while Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning has some positive visual aspects, such as improved textures, refined art style, and vibrant environments, it still falls short in terms of significant upgrades and modernization. Critics like TheSixthAxis, Cubed3, and GamingTrend mention that the game still looks like an eight-year-old game and lacks noticeable improvements. Additionally, the criticisms regarding dated visuals, technical limitations, and lack of visual polish are echoed by several critics, including COGconnected, Game Rant, PlayStation LifeStyle, and Switch Player. Despite the mixed opinions, it is clear that the remastered version of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning does not fully meet the expectations of the critics in terms of visual enhancements and modernization.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics have mixed opinions on Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning's graphics. Some praise the HD upgrade, vibrant environments, and refined mechanics, while others criticize dated visuals, fuzzy textures, and lack of noticeable improvements. Overall, the game falls short of expectations for significant upgrades and modernization, leaving many critics unimpressed with its visual presentation.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

29%

Mixed (50-79)

71%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning are varied. Starting with the positives, COGconnected praises the voice acting in the game, describing it as great. Destructoid specifically highlights composer Grant Kirkhope, praising his score for the game. Xbox Achievements also commends Kirkhope's score, describing it as excellent. GameStar goes even further, stating that the soundtrack is highly regarded and masterfully performed. These positive opinions indicate that the music and sound design in Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning have received significant praise from multiple critics. However, there are also negative opinions regarding the Sound Design and Music of the game. Push Square mentions that the voice acting is often dodgy, but acknowledges a certain charm in the overall sound design. Xbox Achievements criticizes the voice acting for having difficult accents and being subpar. Xbox Tavern describes the music as capably made but slightly repetitive. NintendoWorldReport points out that the sound quality is highly compressed, which affects the enjoyment of Grant Kirkhope's excellent score when playing on a TV with decent speakers. These negative opinions highlight areas of improvement for the Sound Design and Music of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While there is praise for the music and sound design, with critics like COGconnected, Destructoid, Xbox Achievements, and GameStar commending various aspects of it, there are also criticisms. The dodgy voice acting and difficult accents mentioned by Push Square and Xbox Achievements are areas that need improvement. Additionally, the repetitive nature of the music, as mentioned by Xbox Tavern, and the highly compressed sound quality noted by NintendoWorldReport are also aspects that detract from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, it is evident that the music and sound design of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning have received positive recognition from several critics, indicating that there are certainly enjoyable elements to be found in the game's audio design.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics have mixed opinions on Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning's sound design and music. While praised for excellent voice acting and Grant Kirkhope's score, there are criticisms of dodgy voice acting, difficult accents, repetitive music, and compressed sound quality. Overall, there are enjoyable elements in the game's audio design, but areas for improvement are highlighted.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

38%

Mixed (50-79)

63%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning are varied. Attack of the Fanboy and COGconnected both praise the voice acting, describing it as excellent and great, respectively. This indicates that there are positive aspects to the voice acting in the game. Xbox Tavern also joins in the praise, describing it as top-notch. These positive opinions suggest that there are instances of high-quality voice acting that enhance the overall experience of the game. Additionally, MondoXbox mentions the inclusion of Italian text localization while retaining the original English voice acting, which could be seen as a positive aspect for players who prefer the original voice performances. However, there are also negative opinions regarding the voice acting in Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning. IGN notes that while the inclusion of fully-voiced NPCs throughout the world is appreciated, some characters sound repetitive. This suggests that there may be a lack of variety or depth in the voice performances, which could potentially detract from the immersion and overall enjoyment of the game. Push Square goes further, describing the voice acting as often dodgy, indicating that there may be instances of subpar or inconsistent performances that could be distracting or off-putting for players. Xbox Achievements also criticizes the voice acting, specifically mentioning difficult accents, which suggests that certain performances may not be executed convincingly or authentically. Taking into account the opinions of the critics, the overall consensus regarding the voice acting in Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is mixed. While there are positive opinions from Attack of the Fanboy, COGconnected, and Xbox Tavern, praising the voice acting as excellent, great, and top-notch respectively, there are also negative opinions from IGN, Push Square, and Xbox Achievements, highlighting issues such as repetitiveness, dodgy performances, and difficult accents. The mention by Noisy Pixel of the voice acting quality being humorously done further adds to the mixed reception. Ultimately, it appears that the quality of the voice acting in Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is subjective and may vary depending on individual preferences and tolerance for certain performance flaws.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics have mixed opinions on the voice acting in Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning. Some praise it as excellent and top-notch, while others criticize it for being repetitive, dodgy, and featuring difficult accents. The overall consensus is varied, with positive and negative feedback highlighting the subjective nature of the voice performances in the game.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

22%

Mixed (50-79)

57%

Negative (0-49)

22%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance on the PS4, there are mixed opinions among the critics. Some reviewers, like Gamers' Temple and Game Rant, highlight improvements in frame rate and stability, with the game running at a solid 60 FPS on PS4 Pro. However, other critics, such as Comicbook.com and PlayStation LifeStyle, mention various technical issues. These include frame rate drops, pop-in for objects and textures, extensive load times, and game-breaking bugs. The occasional crashes and camera issues experienced by Hardcore Gamer and TheSixthAxis further contribute to the negative feedback. Overall, the sentiment towards the technical performance on the PS4 is leaning towards the negative side, with several critics pointing out significant issues. On the Xbox One, the technical performance of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning receives criticism from multiple reviewers. Xbox Achievements mentions frame-rate problems and slow loading times on modern hardware. Xbox Tavern goes even further, criticizing the game for numerous crashes and technical issues, suggesting poor optimization. MondoXbox, on the other hand, acknowledges improvements in visual aspects and slight gameplay corrections, but does not provide details on any technical issues. The overall sentiment for the Xbox One version of the game leans towards the negative side, with critics expressing disappointment with the technical performance. For the Nintendo Switch, the opinions on the technical performance of the game are relatively positive. God is a Geek, NintendoWorldReport, Noisy Pixel, Pocket Tactics, Shindig, Starbit, and Vooks mention various aspects of the game running well on the Nintendo Switch. While there are occasional frame rate drops, long loading times, and performance issues mentioned by some critics, the overall sentiment for the Nintendo Switch version is more positive compared to the PS4 and Xbox One versions. The remastering of the game on the Switch brings tweaks that improve performance, as noted by Shindig. In summary, the overall consensus among the critics regarding the technical performance of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is mixed. While there are positive aspects mentioned for each gaming platform, such as improved frame rates and stability on the PS4 and Nintendo Switch, the negative feedback outweighs the positive. Issues like frame rate drops, technical bugs, crashes, and slow loading times are frequently mentioned, particularly for the PS4 and Xbox One versions. The game's technical performance on the Nintendo Switch is generally seen as more favorable, with some occasional performance issues but still providing a satisfactory experience.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics have mixed opinions on the technical performance of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning. PS4 Pro shows improvements with solid 60 FPS, but PS4 and Xbox One versions face frame rate drops, bugs, crashes, and long load times. Nintendo Switch version receives more positive feedback despite occasional issues. Overall, technical performance disappoints on PS4 and Xbox One, while Switch offers a more satisfactory experience.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

48%

Mixed (50-79)

48%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the videogame reviewers regarding the Replay Value of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning are generally positive. CGMagazine, Gamers' Temple, Hardcore Gamer, PlayStation LifeStyle, Push Square, MondoXbox, God is a Geek, Pocket Tactics, Shindig, Starbit, Cubed3, GameGrin, GameStar, and GamingTrend all highlight the game's abundance of content and activities, including quests, customizable features, and expansion packs. They mention the ability to experiment with different character builds, classes, and weapons, as well as the option to re-spec, which adds replay value. The game's massive runtime, ranging from 20 hours for the main quest line to over 150 hours for completionist playthroughs, is also praised by several critics. However, there are a few negative aspects mentioned by some critics. Destructoid simply states that the game is easier to replay without providing further details. Worth Playing mentions that while the game offers replay value for fans of the original who want to play it on a more modern platform, it is not meaningfully different from the original release. Xbox Achievements criticizes the game for lacking originality, and Screen Rant suggests that the game's content and features are not rare in 2021, making it feel more standard in that regard. Vooks and Cubed3 mention that while the game offers a lot of content, it is repetitive and lacks good character interactions. Additionally, Vooks and Starbit highlight that there are better fantasy games available at a similar price range or on other platforms. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning has good replay value due to its extensive content, customization options, and the ability to experiment with different playstyles. The game's vast amount of quests, activities, and expansion packs provide players with plenty of opportunities to explore and engage with the game world. The option to re-spec and the variety of character builds and weapons further enhance the replayability. However, some critics point out that the game may lack originality and feels repetitive, and there are other fantasy games available that offer a more complete and up-to-date experience. Nevertheless, the majority of critics recommend the game, especially for those who missed out on it in the previous generation or for fans of the original looking to experience it on a more modern platform.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning for its rich content, customizable features, and extensive replay value. The game offers a variety of quests, character builds, and activities, with the option to re-spec adding to its allure. While some critics note its lack of originality and repetitive nature, most recommend it for fans of the original or those seeking a modern fantasy gaming experience.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

35%

Mixed (50-79)

63%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple videogame reviewers regarding the Overall Verdict of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning, it is evident that there is a mix of positive and negative sentiments. Several critics praise the game for its engaging combat system and vast open-world fantasy realm. CGMagazine describes it as a fun game with a lot of content to keep players busy, while Gamers' Temple states that the combat has been refined to its full glory. Additionally, PlayStation LifeStyle highlights the fluid combat, gripping story, and detailed lore as enjoyable aspects of the game. On the other hand, some critics express disappointment with the remastering efforts and technical issues. Attack of the Fanboy states that the remaster is disappointing and squanders the potential to improve on the original game's issues. IGN also mentions that the game feels outdated and mundane compared to its current competition. Furthermore, Worth Playing criticizes the lack of noticeable improvements and describes it as more of a port than a remaster. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a positive view of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning. The game is praised for its enjoyable combat, engaging world, and solid RPG experience. Critics like COGconnected and Game Rant recommend the game to RPG lovers, while Starbit describes it as a successful remaster with exciting combat and a dense story. However, there are also critics who highlight the game's dated elements and technical issues, suggesting that it may not appeal to everyone. It is worth noting that while there are criticisms and concerns raised by some reviewers, the overall sentiment towards Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is generally positive. The game is recognized for its strengths in combat, content, and world-building, which make it an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre. However, it is important to consider the criticisms regarding technical issues and the lack of significant improvements in the remastering process. Ultimately, individual preferences and tolerance for dated elements may influence one's overall enjoyment of the game.

TL;DR

Reviewers are divided on Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning. While some praise its engaging combat and vast world, others criticize its lack of improvements and technical issues. Overall, the game is recommended for RPG fans, but be wary of its dated elements and technical flaws.

MONSTER

Reviews

164 reviews found

God is a Geek

Nintendo Switch

Mar 15, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The reviewer highly recommends Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning on any platform, including the Nintendo Switch.

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MMORPG.com

PlayStation 4

Sep 8, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review states that the game accomplishes everything a remaster should accomplish and recommends stepping back into Amalur.

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The Games Machine

Sep 7, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The reviewer seems to have a positive opinion of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning, but no specific overall verdict is provided.

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Destructoid

PlayStation 4

Sep 12, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game is praised as one of the reviewer's favorite RPGs in recent memory and is considered a win. The review ends with a score of 8.0/10.

CGMagazine

PlayStation 4

Sep 7, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is a fun game with a vast open-world fantasy realm, engaging combat, and a lot of content to keep players busy. It may not be very challenging, but it offers a straightforward and enjoyable experience.

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GameStar

Sep 7, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game is described as a criminally underrated classic with great combat and content.

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Starbit

Nintendo Switch

Apr 25, 2021

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is a successful remaster that offers an exciting combat system, a dense story, and a vast amount of content to explore. While it may have some outdated elements and occasional performance issues, it is still a worthwhile RPG experience.

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COGconnected

PlayStation 4

Sep 14, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is every RPG lovers dream and if you don’t mind its somewhat dated appearance, this classic absolutely deserves your undivided attention.

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Gamers' Temple

PlayStation 4

Sep 8, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is a revitalization of a game that remains vivid, addictive, and comfortably familiar. The combat is the main draw and has been refined to its full glory. It may not have the immersive touch of other RPGs, but it is still worth experiencing.

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MondoXbox

Xbox One

Sep 27, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review overall praises the remaster for its improvements in visuals and gameplay, while acknowledging that some limitations from the original game are still present.

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