It’s kind of funny how, years ago, the troubled 38 Studios shut down after releasing Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, and how we never thought we’d see it again. That said, not only did THQ Nordic give the original game a proper re-release with the oddly named Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning (what’s a re-reckoning, anyway?), but it also decided to release some downloadable content to extend the adventure – Fatesworn.
A lot of fans of the original game have waited to see this story continue, as well as one other aspect – an increase in level up to 50. This means being able to extend the strength of your character a bit and absorb some cool combat for a few extra hours. But is the DLC enough to make the game worth a revisit?
Revisiting the Re-Reckoning
The DLC takes place at the conclusion of Re-Reckoning after you’ve managed to shop Gadflow from unleashing his plans within Mithros. But now a new threat has emerged in the form of a group known as the Preordained, who will stop at nothing to clear the path for a man they call Telogrus, who considers himself the God of Chaos. They’re out to destroy the cherished Tapestry of Fate, and it’s up to you to deliver a reckoning (er, a re-reckoning, I suppose?) to stop them.
There is a slight catch when it comes to Fatesworn. You can’t jump into what it has to offer until you complete the main game. That may bum some of you out, but the reason for this is a continuation of the story. THQ Nordic did a great job keeping the proper tone in place for Re-Reckoning, and it shows with some of the events. Some of the fetch quests can be a little tiresome, but the adventure as a whole is still as hearty as ever. Not to mention that the God of Chaos poses a very interesting challenge.
A Story To Tell
Along with the main story, which goes for around 6 to 8 hours or so, there are also side quests to help your character level up. They do add to the backstory, even if some of the objectives remain about the same. That’s expected though, as you can only ask so much from a well-armed badass.
Where the DLC really earns its keep is with its level cap. Now that it’s up to 50, you can toughen up your character with better shielding, as well as self-destructing little things that can really put the hurt on your enemy. You can also variate combat techniques with your character, a nice touch that helps mix things up with your fighting. That’s good because the God of Chaos is unleashing all sorts of rifts filled with monsters and nasties. (This does mean, eventually, you’ll need to get chaos weapons, so keep an eye out for those.)
Not a Huge Remaster, But It Doesn’t Need To Be
While some may expect Fatesworn to bump up the world of Re-Reckoning with a new threat, it doesn’t entirely go that way. It still looks the same as the main game, though some of the monster designs are imaginative. On top of that, the weapons still look cool as heck; and the animations are still sharp. It’s as if the tone of the DLC fits the game, which we’re perfectly fine with.
The music doesn’t change much within the game, but the voice acting is still top-notch. Some of the actors from the original game return to their roles without missing a beat. What’s more, the God of Chaos sounds like just as much of a handful as he is. The monsters are great too.
Not a Game Changer, But Fatesworn Is Worth Checking Out
For those that have waited for an eternity for DLC to drop for Kingdoms of Amalur, here it is. While things can get a little difficult as you level up, Fatesworn delivers the goods. The new combat techniques are excellent, and there’s a lot to do with this add-on. Not to mention that it feels great bumping up from level 40 to 50.
Granted, the cost could’ve been a little cheaper ($20?). Overall, though, it’s worth investing in if you even give a slight iota about Kingdoms. Let’s be honest, too – it’s not every day you get DLC for a game a decade after its release, right?
VIBE Rating: 7.5/10
