10 Severely Underrated RPGs You Need To Check Out

by Robert Zak

1. Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning

kingdoms of amalur reckoning
38 Studios

The story surrounding Kingdoms of Amalur is one of the big video game tragedies of recent years. Amalur was designed to be a big new RPG franchise for EA, but sales didn't match the astronomic requirements for it to break even. That, combined with a messy legal tussle between developer 38 Studios and the Rhode Island governor meant that studio went broke soon after the game's release.

Written by legendary fantasy author R.A. Salvatore (who wrote 10,000 years worth of lore into the game), Amalur takes players to the Faelands - a rich, fairytale-like world filled with eclectic environments and brilliantly-written characters. It's a welcome contrast to the grittier, darker RPGs that are so en vogue today, and features a satisfying combat system that's easy to learn and hone to your play style.

Of course, Amalur delivers on all the RPG tropes you'd expect, and outdoes many more prestigious games when it comes to engaging characters and a story you actually care for. But what makes it unique is that it works equally well as an action game as an RPG, without diluting any elements of either genre.

Whether you want to keep chit-chat short and focus on honing your combat skills, or if you want to learn about the world and listen to the stories of every character you meet, Amalur will cater to your needs. With EA still holding onto the IP, there's hope yet that we may return to this lovingly crafted world that's just begging to be explored further.

Contributor
Contributor

Gamer, Researcher of strange things. I'm a writer-editor hybrid whose writings on video games, technology and movies can be found across the internet. I've even ventured into the realm of current affairs on occasion but, unable to face reality, have retreated into expatiating on things on screens instead.