Without meaning to sound too much like a backseat games publisher, I think someone should've told EA that releasing a traditional high fantasy RPG just three months after the launch of the most popular RPG game of all time was a terrible idea. Kingdoms of Amalur was a wonderful game that was regrettably overshadowed by Skyrim, even though it managed to best it in some areas. From the mind of revered fantasy author R.A. Salvatore, Amalur offers a rich, open world that beckons you to explore it, and rewards your curiosity with colourful characters and engaging side-quests around every corner. Where Amalur really puts Skyrim to shame is in the combat, which is thoughtful, cinematic, and fast-paced. The game puts few restrictions on how you develop your character, so if you fantasised about being a mage wielding a massive warhammer, or a warrior specialising in knives, then you're free to go for it. Amalur's world also doesn't feel like a cut-paste job of the same old terrain through 80% of the map. Its scenery is eclectic and vibrant, making it a world that's a joy to just hang around in. If you want a change from dark-fantasy landscapes of The Witcher 3 or Dragon Age: Inquisition, then escape to the fairytale realm of Amalur instead.