Get the original version and don't bother with this. From the plethora of new bugs, new features that are more annoying than an improvement (visual fx) , less responsive controls and graphical fidelity that is in no way representative of the resources they consume, there is nothing here that's worthy of being labeled an improvement. Install the original version, download ReShade, apply some sharpening, AA, Ambient Occlusion and adjust the contrast a bit and you've got a superior version to Re-Reckoning already.

Kingdoms of Amalur was the second game I actually couldn't take my eyes off of: after you stumble out of a corpse incineration room into the outdoors, it was GORGEOUS! Gameplay is awesome, similar to Devil May Cry "lite", crafting, open world, basically almost everything one could ask for. HOWEVER: KoA committed two cardinal sins, which Re-Reckoning HAS NOT ADDRESSED OR FIXED. First, KoA had an extremely annoying "feature" that locks enemy levels to your level when you enter the area, up to a maximum. The first game region you are in is the most beautiful, and you gradually end up in a barren wasteland that is crap to look at. However, I was level 50 and the early region maxs out at level 8, so I was one-hit-killing everything: then I started the DLC after finishing the main game and everything was pretty much dead by looking at it too hard. From the start! BORING! The Borderlands series and other games don't do this *for a very good reason*: replayability! And yes you are screwed: item drops are tied to the level of the enemy, not your level. There is no reason to revisit early areas ever. The game just shoves you through the most artistic places and right back out again, no time to enjoy the world itself. This poor choice is compounded by the fact that one of the most requested features in KoA was a New Game+ mode. Still not in Re-Reckoning, because nobody cares that the original was a half-finished game. I am sick of people making games demand more expensive computer hardware AND NOT FIX THE ORIGINAL ISSUES! Who the heck cares about a repainted car if the interior and engine are trash? Oh, and still waiting on the new DLC they promised when Re-Reckoning was released... In summation: the game is awesome, yet not one but TWO game development teams made/left boneheaded choices in that ruin the game's replayability. "But I want to feel like I'm becoming powerful", you say? Well, you'll regret their attempted implementation in this game.

Others have compared this to Skyrim, but the creative director on this game was also the creative director on Oblivion. I'm one of the few ES fans who prefers Oblivion to Skyrim, I think, so I'm very happy with the world and the music. As others have said, the missions resemble an MMO, and yes, this game was slightly scaled back from one in development. But I'm still enjoying doing the missions myself and find the travel between them almost relaxing. The tone is very light even though there are some vague Demon's Souls comparisons. Only insofar as you're in knight's armor and entering battles with giant creatures roaming around that can one or two-hit you if you let them so there is lot's of rolling and dodging. I find the combat very satisfying. The RPG mechanics are also pleasingly straight forward. Like, it just works with no bells and whistles. Everything like selling junk and crafting is as simple as it needs to be which I enjoy but others may want more depth. I don't need Fallen Earth levels of crafting items so I'm good. This game is underrated in my opinion. I took a chance on it as an Oblivion fan and I was pleasantly surprised. I haven't had any bugs, which is a statment not a brag or anything. I'm just enjoying a smooth experience so far that way. 1440p 60fps with everything turned up, obviously, As an older gamer, I don't mind that its simply a polish job of an older game I missed. Maybe someday they'll do a sequel in another engine.

I played the original several years ago but ended quitting because of EA's atrocious origin software. The only issue I have encountered thus far is, occasionally, upon exiting the game, the screen goes blank and my desktop doesn't load back up. This is easily remedied by opening the task manager and ending the Kingdoms of Amalur process. I have done a side by side comparison of this version and the old version and there is a huge, in some cases a significant, improvement in graphical fidelity. I'm not sure why some people are claiming otherwise. The game runs smooth as silk on my rig, constant 60 fps with no hiccups (I have v-sync enabled). I have had no issues with the audio. I haven't encountered any bugs as of yet (other than the log out one). The story is well written, the side quests are fun and interesting, the itemization is decent and the types of gear is varied. The combat is fast and fluid. You have a lot of flexibility when it comes to customizing your playstyle. You can mix and match abilities from might, finesse and sorcery to make some truly awesome combinations and unleashing reckoning mode during combat makes your character feel like a true badass. The crafting system is interesting and involves forging weapons and armor, alchemy and sagecraft (creating gems which can be socketed into your gear to impart added abilities like extra poison damage on attack or increased fire resistance). The leveling process is a little on the slower side but for me it's perfect. I hate playing games where you level to max in a matter of hours. The locales in game are varied and the lore behind them is interesting. The history of the world is thought out and well written. From some of the other reviews it sounds like people had unrealistic expectations for what this product was and ended up getting disappointed. For anyone who is a true lover of RPG's you would be doing yourself a disservice by not trying this game, truly one of the best single play RPG's in my opinion.