Launch Station: Kingdoms of Amular: Reckoning

In a genre dominated by the Elder Scrolls, it is hard for a developer to crack into fantasy RPG space.  With an all-star ensemble, EA Games is looking to tackle another gaming juggernaut with the release of 38 Studios and Big Huge Games' Kingdoms of Amular: Reckoning.  In this day and age, publishers seem to be more accustom to trust a big franchise than a new IP, but EA has backed 38 Studios and Big Huge Games with a lot of money to make Reckoning worthy of taking on juggernaut known as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

With Ken Rolston, lead designer on Elder Scrolls III and IV, as executive designer, acclaimed fantasy writer R.A. Salvatore working on creating the world and lore of Amular, Todd McFarlane, acclaimed comic book artist, working on the art and former Rare composer Grant Kirkhope composing the soundtrack, Kingdoms of Amular: Reckoning has a lot of excellent talent behind it.  The world of Amular revolves around pre-determined destinies known as fates.  From the day a person is born to the day they die, they are on a pre-determined path that cannot be changed.  When you start the game, you are tasked with creating your character.  Once you finish that task, you thrown right into the story.  Just resurrected by the Well of Souls, you are released from your pre-determined destiny due to the fact you have already died.  As no longer are bond by the chains of fate, you are given the chance to create your own destiny.  This clean slate plays right into the gameplay as you can customize your character, weapons and class any which way you want.  The combat is very customizable as well.  You can choose from many different play styles from picking off enemies one-by-one through stealth to charging head-first in with sword and shield. Reckoning's real-time combat system allows players fluidly chain together sword slashes with shots from a bow to firing off different spells and abilities.  After defeating numerous enemies, you will fill your Reckoning meter, which allows you to deal out huge amounts of damage to your foes including some spectacular finishing moves.  38 Studios and Big Huge Games looks to marry the brutal combat of God of War and the fantastical world of Elder Scrolls with Kingdoms of Amular.

For those looking for either another fantasy world to dive into after Skyrim or just a fresh new IP, should give Kingdoms of Amular: Reckoning a look.  Personally I think Kingdoms of Amular: Reckoning will be more of a cult hit in the gaming community.  The third-person action has impressed me as it allows me to get immersed in the game more than the first-person view of The Elder Scrolls series.  Keep your eyes on Reckoning, you just might be surprised in how good it turns out to be.