Forgotten Gem.

UPDATE: September 2020:

Re-Reckoning has been released. If you own the original game: don't buy Re-Reckoning.
First of all: Steam should have give this game for free to all original owners.
Second: Changers are too minor to pay for this re-release (even at the discount they give you for owning the original game).
But hey: this is just my personal opinion.

For a change, I will start my review with the verdict:
Great game, a must buy for ANY RPG-Lover!

Don’t compare this game with Skyrim or Diablo 3 – that would do this game great injustice.

If you look for an RPG with great atmosphere, graphics, audio and hours and hours (and I mean hundreds of hours!!!) of gameplay, look no further!

…And this is why…in my opinion:

I will try and break down this review in a few categories:

Options:
Only basic options are available, such as a few sound settings, resolution and few gameplay options…that is about it….not to fancy or complicated. For some players it may be too few options, but I found it a relief that with few tweaks this game can be set to my personal liking.

This game was clearly built for a gameconsole (hence the limited settings-options) and to be played with a controller (x-box or similar). It doesn’t play well with keyboard and mouse. With a controller all controls are at your fingertips, whilst with using a keyboard you have to look for the controls. Making use of a controller gives the player an easy and intuitive gameplay.

Character customization:
Not to many features are available, but just enough to make your own character. Different hairstyles, tattoos and jewellery (like earrings) are provided.
You can build your character from scratch or use a template/prefix.
With the limited options available, this will only cost you a few minutes.

Of course you can also choose gender and race. I only played as a human so I will not review any races. Check the internet for that.

Graphics/World:
What immediately catches the eyes, are the vivid colours used in this game.
Also the lighting is superb! Neon-like plants etc. light up the landscape.
The style used is somewhat cartoonish: lean and slick textures with not to many details.
All graphics are in perfect balance.
Combine that with a HUGE map and you already have a unique universe to make your own.

This game runs very smoothly on maxed out settings on my i5 with 8gb ram and Nvidia 710m laptop.

Gameplay:
As said before: a controller is a MUST HAVE. The game plays smoothly and relaxed.
The map is huge!
Sadly there are no mounts (like horses etc.) in this game, so walking is your only option, besides teleporting to locations you have already visited.
One more minor issue: you cannot jump. When standing on a cliff or river/lake-side you can only jump down from certain points. Climbing up can only be done by following a predetermined route (like a slope or stairs).
Items are hidden everywhere, so exploring every inch of the map is worth it….Hint: boost your “Detect hidden objects” – skill from the start….soon you will be drowning in items, which you can sell for better ones or breakdown into parts and make your own unique items (level your “blacksmith” –skill to get better parts etc.) which you can enchant with magical powers and even give a name….
I called my sword “Burning Love” …..:)

Loading happens frequently but takes a very short time. It was not hindering me at all.

Multiplayer is not available.

Skills/Levelling:

What unique is in this game: you can combine any skill with another, without messing up your character. For example: you can build a Warrior Mage (mage with sword-skills etc.) or a combined ranged- and close combat fighter in one mean fighting machine. The choice is yours!

When levelling you can choose your skill and/or ability you wish to level/develop. I personally don’t like the big warhammers and VERY BIG blades, so I choose the great sword and shield path….but you can always choose other paths in the skill tree.

When, for some reason, you are not happy the way your character developed, you can visit a “Fate Weaver” and COMPLETELY rebuild your character to your liking for a small fee (money is not really a problem in this game). This is quite a more than fantastic feature!

Quests:
I have the complete edition (so with all 2 dlc packs):
Hundreds of (side) quests are available. Some short and easy, some long and more challenging.
They are varied enough to make you pursue them. Also the rewards and items are worth it….only downside: A LOT OF WALKING….and A LOT OF ITEMS….but that comes in handy for selling or crafting your own items.

Hint: Complete armorsets of the same type provide bonuses.

At its release this game was overshadowed by the launch of Skyrim and shortly after that, Diablo 3.
But it does not deserve to go unnoticed! It is a game that deserves a big hand of applause and lots of participating gamers.