Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and Shank 2 are second to none

There are some big names credited on this game. Author R. A. Salvatore came up with the world and its mythology, Ken Rolston (The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion) designed the game, and Image Comics founder and artist Todd McFarlane oversaw character creation and animation. And each of them have contributed to what is a solid fantasy role-playing game.

Salvatore came up with an interesting concept: you play as a regenerated human or elf who, unlike the others in Reckoning, has no fate. You set that destiny as you play. This works beautifully with Rolston’s character progression system, in which you can change your character’s class throughout the game. The skill progression is similarly well thought out.

It’s impossible to consider Reckoning without invoking The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The games are just too similar. The truth is they both have strengths where the other game shows flaws. The combat here is actually more satisfying. Taken on its own merits, Kingdoms of Amalur is impressive. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to choose between the two.

Shank 2
(Electronic Arts; PS3, Windows, Xbox 360; rated mature)

The world hasn’t been too kind to Shank, and he’s being unkind right back to it. Good thing there are thugs aplenty in his world; those fellas take a real beating here. The developers at Vancouver’s Klei Entertainment, who brought the roguish Shank to life, ratcheted up the experience in this sequel. In the 2-D brawling game, combat is even more visceral, the controls more responsive, and, while the art is similar, the El Mariachi–style environments have a darker tone to them. Shank can now roll to avoid attacks and can counter enemies, which turns the tables in a hurry. The co-op campaign mode from the first game has been replaced with a survival mode, where you can engage a friend in facing down waves of those bad guys. Shank 2 doesn’t take itself quite so seriously, either, which makes this as funny as it is vicious.