Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon – Everything You Need to Know

It appears we’re entering an age where games resembling ancient scrolls are becoming commonplace. Earlier in the year, Obsidian’s Avowed temporarily quenched the thirst for those craving something akin to The Elder Scrolls, though it left others unsatisfied. Now, this open-world first-person RPG, often referred to as a love letter to its genre, is gearing up for its official 1.0 release and has received high praise from those who played the early access and demo. The developers behind Tainted Grail, appropriately named Questline, are a team of just over 50 individuals – quite an achievement given the game’s grand scale and polish. With the full release of the game fast approaching, here are some essential points to consider before you buy and dive into this new open-world RPG experience.

First-Person Open World RPG Like Elder Scrolls

Titled “Tainted Grail,” this game offers a gritty, dark fantasy interpretation of the timeless King Arthur tale. The term “dark fantasy” here refers to a style as hard-hitting as heavy metal music. You’ll find all the elements you’d expect in such a game – from an expansive open-world setting to a progression system where use begets growth. As for the influence of “TES” (The Elder Scrolls) on this game, consider the horse armor DLC as a witty nod rather than an attempt to squeeze extra cash out of players, luckily.

Early Access

For quite some time now, starting from March 30th, 2023, this game has been in an early development phase. During this period, it’s been enriched with numerous substantial updates, thanks to player input. The latest 0.9 update, set to be the last before its official launch, has expanded the prologue and Act 1 considerably.

Early Access and Demo Don’t Transfer To Full Release

Keep in mind that if you’re currently playing the early access version, your saved games might be deleted when the full 1.0 release arrives, as stated in the Steam description. However, the good news is that there are numerous options for playing the game, ensuring that each experience remains fresh and distinct.

Three Act Structure With an Epilogue

In essence, Tainted Grail consists of four main sections – three acts and an epilogue – offering approximately 50 to 70 hours of gameplay. Unlike the expansive world of Skyrim, Tainted Grail doesn’t reach the same scale, but its numerous dungeons and quests should more than suffice for fans seeking a dark fantasy fix that echoes the feel of the Elder Scrolls.

Three Large Zones To Explore

the Southern Misty Horns, the Sunlit Sunken Village of Cuanacht, and the Frozen Peaks of Forlorn Swords. Each area possesses a distinct atmosphere and aesthetic. Contrary to expectations, these areas are not expansive on a triple-A scale; you can travel from one corner of the map to another in just five minutes or so. Despite its modest size, “Tainted Grail” compensates by offering a high level of density. Every nook is filled with dungeons and engaging activities.

Immersive Sim Activities

Should you find yourself weary of raiding over 75 dungeons and slaying skeletons, the game Tainted Grail offers numerous additional activities to support your journey. One standout feature is the fishing minigame, an aspect that has been noticeably absent in Bethesda games. Additionally, you’ll find elements like mixing ingredients for potions and traditional crafting such as blacksmithing and mining. Moreover, there are houses you can buy and manage, farming opportunities, and even a farming aspect to explore.

Branching Main Storyline With ‘Hundreds’ of Endings

In the complete 1.0 version of the game, it was noted that an epilogue has been included. This epilogue represents one possible outcome of the branching storyline in Tainted Grail, given that it’s heavily influenced by your choices. Additionally, there are supposedly numerous endings, but it remains to be discovered whether most of these are minor variations or substantial changes to the existing narrative.

Hundreds of Side Quests and NPCs

In contrast to operating as a small, budget-constrained studio, Questline has impressively incorporated more than 200 side missions in Tainted Grail. Unlike traditional guild questlines, these missions are evenly distributed across the game world without being sectioned off. Additionally, over 250 characters populate the game, each with a voice-acted presence throughout the game.

Combat

In the game titled “Tainted Grail“, you’ll engage in intense first-person melee and magical battles, as anticipated. This game offers an intriguing mechanic where you can wield weapons or mystical objects called “soul cubes” in both hands, enabling dual wielding as a strategic option. Moreover, you can assign your magical spells to either hand or both, depending on your preference. The full release boasts over 400 unique weapons and 55 spells, ensuring a diverse and extensive gameplay experience. The magic system in this game is noteworthy within its genre. It includes the conventional destruction magic with fireballs and icicle projections, but also introduces spells that summon wolf packs or floating daggers. There’s even a spell that transforms enemies into cheese, emphasizing the distinct nature of your combat possibilities.

Build Variety

With the ability to wield two weapons simultaneously, you can easily blend various playstyles. For instance, as a berserker, you could dual-wield longswords, or if you prefer a more versatile approach, you might opt for being a battle mage, holding a spell in one hand and a mace in the other. You also have access to two quick slots for your consumable items and three weapon loadouts that allow you to modify your gameplay experience on the fly.

Soul Cubes and Throwables

In addition to casting spells, you can also wield special items known as Soul Cubes in one of your hands, which allow you to unleash a diverse array of abilities. These abilities can include summoning allies or boosting your character’s stats. Objects that can be thrown are ideal for managing large groups of enemies. Think of them like molotov cocktails. Some of these throwable items have an area-of-effect (AOE) that gradually weakens or damages enemies’ armor and weapons over time. Others cause enemies to become aggressive towards each other. The Soul Cubes and throwable objects offer the strategic variety in combat that games like Tainted Grail have been missing compared to traditional Elder Scrolls titles.

Stats and Skills

Absolutely, in this game, the tried-and-true leveling system using scrolls is present and accounted for. Fortunately, not everything adjusts to your skill level; instead, specific enemies and areas are scaled. The fundamental attributes in Tainted Grail include Strength, Dexterity, Practicality, Perception, Endurance, and Spirtuality. Accomplishing tasks linked to one of these attributes earns you points to invest in the skill branches for each attribute. Many skills provide the usual bonuses and multipliers, but some also introduce new gameplay mechanics. If you’re like me and love hoarding, you’ll likely prioritize skills that increase your carrying limit first.

Nighttime Adds a Survival Aspect

During the hours of darkness, an intriguing shift occurs. The ‘Wyrdnes’, a powerful force of primordial chaos, presents a more challenging adversary than typical daylight foes. Prepare for a survival-focused adventure with distinct loot and exclusive quests only accessible during nighttime, reminiscent of the challenging nighttime gameplay found in Dragon’s Dogma 2.

Third-Person Perspective Added on Full Release

Absolutely, you’re correct. During its early stages, the game could only be played from a first-person viewpoint. As for the third-person perspective, we’ll have to judge whether it looks smooth or choppy when the game officially launches. However, the ability to switch between the two perspectives is a welcome feature regardless.

How Long To Beat?

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon isn’t a game to speed through; instead, it’s an extensive voyage that requires time, perseverance, and an appreciation for dark fantasy. With an estimated playtime ranging from 50 to 70 hours, it’s evident the creators are providing more than just a straightforward storyline. This is a realm meant to be delved into gradually, as you confront the game’s challenges and depth while being rewarded for those who choose to immerse themselves, not only in combat and mechanics, but also in the somber ambiance that permeates its environment.

2025-05-16 17:12