Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon Review — Forever King

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Regrettably, I’m swamped with completing other tasks, as what I truly yearn for at the moment is immersing myself in Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is an open-world role-playing game that strongly resembles the classic Elder Scrolls series. This game offers a fresh take on Arthurian mythology and refines old-school mechanics, making me believe that some systems I thought were obsolete could regain their luster. Although there are aspects about this game I’m not entirely fond of, especially concerning combat, these issues never hindered my overall enjoyment. The game beautifully recaptures a sense of magic and adventure that I haven’t experienced in ages, making it an outstanding addition to the RPG genre and potentially my choice for Game of the Year.

In essence, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon delves into tales from Arthurian mythology where characters find themselves in a distant realm following their homeland’s devastation by a lethal plague. Years have passed since their conquest, but the plague resurfaces, and mysterious powers strive to revive King Arthur from his tomb, while others seek to annihilate his soul forever. At the same time, a menacing power called Wyrdness envelops the land. The game leaves it to you to pick which side of the conflict over Arthur’s spirit you will join in the battlefield.

Although I’m typically not drawn to fantasy stories that heavily borrow ideas and figures from actual myths and legends, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon skillfully constructs a distinct world using Arthurian mythology as its base. It offers an entirely new experience unlike anything I’ve ever encountered in storybooks, yet it successfully incorporates familiar characters and locales that piqued my interest whenever they appeared. Upon discovering Excalibur embedded in the stone, I felt an immediate surge of excitement and promptly attempted to remove it myself, only to meet my demise numerous times during the endeavor.

The tale of Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon offers an appealing blend of darkness and intrigue, featuring characters that straddle moral boundaries rather than strictly black or white. It steers clear of overwhelming despair associated with grimdark narratives, instead offering a vivid portrayal of a world marked by complex political backgrounds and ominous magic. As you progress through the game’s multiple storylines, you must choose your allegiance, navigating various branches in the quests.

One aspect I wasn’t fond of, though, is that occasionally the game gives the impression of offering choices when there really aren’t any. It’s not like Fallout: New Vegas, where your decisions can significantly change the entire game, but more akin to Skyrim, where certain choices have impact while others seem significant but are just cosmetic variations masking NPC dialogue that ultimately depends on skill check percentages.

In terms of comparison, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon strongly reflects the iconic role-playing series by Bethesda, particularly Skyrim. It mirrors the gameplay, mechanics, and overall structure, offering a unique perspective on established systems with occasional improvements. This similarity is evident in various aspects such as level design, quest system, and gameplay flow; however, it’s most striking in the combat system.

What struck me was discovering that the developers successfully breathed new life into Skyrim’s seemingly outdated combat system, which I’ve often criticized as dull. They achieved this by making subtle adjustments. It isn’t merely about introducing a flawless parry feature, enhancing blocking and attacking, or adding a dedicated dodge button. Instead, it’s the way each weapon, spell, and item interacts distinctively with the game that makes combat in Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon feel both familiar and refreshingly different. Coupled with its compelling narrative, intriguing character designs, attractive gear, and top-notch dialogue, this RPG rapidly turned me into a devoted fan.

From my perspective, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon clearly outshines Oblivion Remastered, making it a game that long-time Bethesda enthusiasts shouldn’t overlook.

In simpler terms, I wasn’t overly pleased with some decisions the game made. For instance, using stamina for attacks is reasonable, but frequently, my low stamina bar left me struggling against large groups of enemies. Additionally, it felt odd that early-game gear was locked behind requirements like strength and endurance that were difficult to meet at the beginning of the game. I prefer to use new equipment right away instead of waiting until later levels.

The Fall of Avalon. Although some issues were present, they didn’t significantly detract from the overall experience. This game has rekindled a feeling of adventure and exploration in an RPG that I haven’t experienced for quite some time. I wholeheartedly endorse this game, particularly if you’re a fan of Bethesda games and found Oblivion Remastered not as captivating as the hype suggested.

The Final Word

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon offers an immersive, captivating role-playing game experience with a compelling storyline, a fresh perspective on traditional mechanics, and a unique blend of mythical and original elements. If you’re a fan of Bethesda classics who found Oblivion Remastered underwhelming, this game is definitely worth checking out.

Try Hard Guides was provided a Steam code for this PC review of Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon. Find more detailed looks at popular and upcoming titles on our Game Reviews page! Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is available on Steam, GoG, Xbox, and PlayStation.

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2025-05-28 15:07