Since my official review is still a while away, I thought I’d share some of what
the internet is saying.  Here is how some of my favorite websites are rating Kingdoms of Amalur on Xbox 360.

*Click on the website name to see the full review*

Website: IGN

Breakdown:  “Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning isn’t the perfect game. Its random technical hiccups and inconsistent art style certainly holds it back from even higher levels of greatness. But no matter what you’re looking for, whether it be amazing gameplay, immersive storytelling or perhaps a riveting new world to explore as you fully customize and re-customize your character at will, Reckoning has it all. And after I jump back into my own game to clean up all of the optional stuff I didn’t do, I sense I’ll want even more. And yes, so will you.”

Score:  9.0

Website: GameSpot

Breakdown:  “How much you love Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning depends on what you look for in a role-playing game. Let’s say you long for a pervasive sense of time and place, for a great story featuring memorable characters, or for varied quests given weight by superb context. If that’s you, then Kingdoms of Amalur will disappoint. Then again, you might want wonderful battles against cool creatures, terrific looting and leveling, and lots of ways to customize your skills and equipment. If so, then this is the world you should inhabit. The context is hardly inspired, but you’ll be having so much fun that you may not care.”

Score:  7.5

Website:  RPGFan

Breakdown:  “This is a game designed by lovers of RPGs, for lovers of RPGs. It sidesteps much of the typical issues and tedium found in the different subgenres of the role-playing game in elegant ways, offers brutal and inventive combat, a huge world full of lore and characters to steep yourself in, sky-high production values, and hours upon hours of content. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was clearly a labor of love from creative people with the ways and means to bring their ideas to fruition, and it shows.”

Score: 9.0

Website:  1Up

Breakdown:  “Reckoning stands as a triumph; it’s a first-time RPG from a studio known for RTS games, and a new property from a new company. It’s a bold and audacious game that impresses me enough to wonder what its follow-up will be like. And, to circle back, it reminds me of the first time I heard The College Dropout: I can trace its roots and identify what he’s sampling from, but overall, it’s a damn good first effort.”

Score: B+

Website: G4TV

Breakdown: “Reckoning is built on a great concept that highlights the dynamic nature of game narratives, but unfortunately, it is a victim of its own ambition and fails to capitalize on many of its own big ideas.”

Score: 2.5/5

Website: Joystiq

Breakdown: “Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning presents a world that is immaculately crafted and beautiful, yet still simple and accessible. Every corner reveals a person in need, a treasure to collect, a secret to uncover, a battle to wage. I don’t know how much more time I’ll spend in Amalur (dozens of hours? hundreds?), but I plan on savoring every minute.”

Score: 5stars

That’s it.  As you can see, it’s getting mixed reviews, but in my opinnion I think on average it’s positive.  I know so far I’d give a hefty recommend to anyone who likes RPG’s like Fable, Elder Scrolls, or even some of the “Hack-and-slash” games out there.

Once I get further into the game and have spent some time getting to know the world, I’ll have my own review both here and on the podcast.