Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning to get remaster in August

This action RPG for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 was developed by Big Huge Games and 38 Studios, who also published the game with Electronic Arts. Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning came out in 2012 and was the only game released by 38 Studios before they filed for bankruptcy.

THQ Nordic then acquired the Kingdoms of Amalur IP from 38 Studios in September 2018. THQ Nordic later stated that while it was interested in the possibility of sequels in the franchise, it would first need the approval of EA before making a remaster of the original title, it seems now that the publisher has managed to receive that approval.

The remaster

The announcement came as a listing on the Microsoft store that confirmed the release will take place on 11 August this year. The product description reads “From the minds of the bestselling author RA 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, customisable RPG combat inside a sprawling game world”, and apparently all the DLCs will also be included in the package.

The remaster will be handled by Kaiko, who has previously remastered the renowned Darksiders as well as Legend of Kay: Anniversary edition.

The original game was set in the Faelands, one of the Kingdoms of Amalur and home to the immortal Fae of the summer and winter courts, and features five distinct regions, four playable races, and three class trees with 22 abilities per tree. The four playable races are the Almain (Civilized Humans), the Dokkalfar (Dark Elves), the Ljosalfar (Light Elves), and the Varani (Nomadic Humans).

Players start off as “fateless” but as they progress, they get to choose a class among the three classes available in the game namely: Might, Finesse, and Sorcery, which correspond to the Fighter, Rogue, and Mage classes respectively.

As players fight and gain experience, they will unlock additional levels.

Combat is based on the timing of the button presses, similar to action role playing games, with occasional quick time event cutscenes.

The combat includes a “fate” system which allows players to accumulate “fate points” and ultimately enter “Reckoning Mode”, a slow-motion mode that will allow the player to quickly dispatch enemies.

In this game your armour and weapons can be bought from shops, looted from fallen enemies or found among hidden treasures you happen to come across whilst exploring. Better and more rare ones are awarded as part of quests, although the best weapons and armour will only be available if you craft them yourself.

The game wasn’t a major success back in 2012 but hopefully this remaster will bring out all the best aspects of this game and a whole lot more.

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