The next big action RPG.

Finished Skyrim and looking for another action RPG to delve into?  Have we got a game for you!  Set for release next week (February 7th in North America and February 10th in Europe), Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning has some big name people behind it – executive designer Ken Rolston (lead designer of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion), executive art director Todd McFarlane (creator of Spawn comics), and writer R.A. Salvatore (well known fantasy writer and New York Times bestselling author).  Check out the trailer at this link. Kingdoms of Amalur is a first step for its developers at 38 Studios, as it is the first game to be released by the company.  (38 Studios was founded in 2006 by MLB pitcher Curt Schilling and named for his jersey number.)  38 Studios has big plans for Reckoning. The developers plan to turn the Amalur universe into a MMO after the game’s release.  The official website for Reckoning has a wealth of information about the major components of the game – races, cultures, factions, important characters, combat, abilities, destinies, etc.  No wonder they want to turn Amalur into a MMO…plenty of elements to build upon.Amalur will have 5 regions and 4 races – Almain (noble humans), Ljosalfar (light elves), Dokkalfar (dark elves), and Varani (nomadic humans).  Each of the 3 class trees have 22 abilities, and the trees are Might (corresponding with the fighter class), Finesse (rogue), and Sorcery (mage), though it is possible to develop a hybrid class such as champion (Sorcery/Might).  At any point throughout the game, you can change your class by visiting Fateweavers in the towns.  Skill points allow you to improve lockpicking, persuasion, blacksmithing, etc.  This article claims it is the fighting that sets Reckoning apart from other popular RPG’s, since “with the right sequence of button presses between the primary and secondary weapons, players can juggle foes, launch them in the air, stun them […] with different classes and powers, the possibilities are endless.”If you happen to be out on the East Coast next week, you can have the opportunity to meet legendary R.A. Salvatore himself!  Salvatore and Curt Schilling will make an appearance at the GameStop in Stallbrook Marketplace in Bellingham, Massachusetts Monday night at 11:30pm.  Designer Ken Rolston will be at the GameStop on York Road in Cockeysville, Maryland, and art director Todd McFarlane will be at the GameStop at Tempe Marketplace in Tempe, Arizona.