Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is an interesting game that follows some tried and tested concepts. It is an Elder Scrolls like game, which becomes evident the moment one starts playing it. It is an ambitious game from a small studio, so it’s not a game made on a big scale. Even though it manages to leave a mark, one should come to it while keeping their expectation in check.
It rides on the nostalgia that players have come to love over the years. So, if you want an Oblivion, Skyrim, or Bethesda-type experience, then this will feel right at home. Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon put a unique spin on ideas that we have come to love over the years in both setting and overall feel.
It is a flawed game and has generic graphics that don’t stand out. Combat is not that great aside from certain uses of powers. That’s not even the game’s focus; it’s about seeing more and exploring more. It is a game from an indie developer, so do keep that in mind while approaching it. All this makes you wonder, is Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon worth it? Let’s find out.
The Background (Spoiler Free)
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is being developed by Questline and published by Awaken Realms. The studio has only done a small number of games. One of the games that they have done is a deck builder that acts as a prequel to this game. Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is the biggest game that they have done. It has stealth, magic, melee, archery, character development, and all the RPG stuff that you would expect from such a game.
It is based on the Arthurian legend with a unique spin thrown on top of that. That unique spin gives it a depressing vibe. King Arthur is a godly king who founded Avalon. Now that he is gone, things are falling apart. The ideas like Tainted Grail and the fall of Avalon are followed decently. The idea of a fallen kingdom is rightfully discussed.
There are different factions, cults, and diseases ravaging, and there is a strange fog that reminds me of a certain game. In the first dungeon, King Arthur’s soul gets revived, and your character forges a bond with him. You then bring him along on the adventure as you explore more of the land, and maybe even bring him back.
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon starts with you creating a character, and the character customization is not that extensive. You also pick traits along with creating characters. Upon taking control of the character, the dungeon you start in might not look good, but once the game opens up, it starts to become better. Once you get to the freedom, like going to the first town or talking to the NCP, that is when the game is at its best.
The Grim Nature
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon starts slow, but once you get going, there is a lot to do. Exploration and interacting with the environment are a key part of it. It won’t take long for you to go out on quests, talking to different NPCs, stealing stuff, completing dungeons, and all the things that you would do in a normal Bethesda RPG.
A show of bleakness encompasses the overall feel of the game. The environment is more depressing compared to traditional open-world RPGs. It is gothic with some touches from games like Bloodborne.
The game is rough graphically, but its art direction, like environment, characters, and different creatures, combine to present a unique experience. It’s grim, depressing, and everything has a smell of death to it. It reminds me of Scorn, though it is not as weird. Such a tone does not work against it but rather works in its favor, making it stand out from the rest.
Gameplay
Your objectives are not that clear, and it’s up to you how you want to approach the world. You have the option to set a campfire anywhere you want, which can be used to rest and level up. At the same time, you have to keep an eye on the mysterious fog that creates more dangers in Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon.
The world is brutal, and at the beginning, it can be frustrating since enemies can throw you around like dirt. You might step into a bandit game and get absolutely destroyed. However, once you make progress, it can become better.
Combat
Combat is the game’s weakest aspect. It is pretty bare bones with light attacks, heavy attacks, blocking, and dodging. The range bow and close-up melee weapons feel soft. Hit detection and hit box are not exactly on the spot. It is all about swigging and dying, then repeating. It is clunky and does not feel that great. Stealth and finishers felt rough and poorly implemented. Magic has been done better compared to the rest of the combat.
Even though Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is designed to be a first-person game, there is still a third-person option. You can play in third person if you choose so, but it’s not furnished. When accessing the third-person, the game will even give you a warning about it.
The more you do something, the better you become at the skill related to it, and it levels up. Pacing of the game is great, and it feels like you are progressing while playing it. The constant leveling up of skill feels like it helps with the overall progress. Leveling up will get you points that can be spent on attributes like dexterity, stealth, endurance, perception, and stuff like that.
Along with it, you also get points that can be used in the skill tree. There is a large amount of skill tree stuff in the game. It’s pretty impressive and can be called one of the game’s strongest points. Speech ability is missing, but some of your skills and attributes do help you in dialogue.
General Stuff
Voice acting can be a bit off, but it’s not bad and gets the job done. Side quests are also not that bad, even if some of them are pretty straightforward. The setting and writing make the side quests worthwhile. It is good to get such stuff from a relatively unknown studio.
NPCs will go about their days, and there is an option to steal if you choose to, but you can end up in jail. It’s just the RPG stuff that you would expect from an RPG. The Map is full of stuff that you can engage in. There is also environmental storytelling.
The atmosphere is good whether it’s moments like getting transported to an ethereal realm, or you are out in the world. Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is a different take on the fantasy that can catch you off guard.
Verdict (Is Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon Worth It?)
Even though the game has an interesting art style, it is still an old-school game. Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon not only looks old but also feels old. It might be a good one for some players, and for others who play big AAA flashy games, it’s not going to work. It is a good throwback, especially if graphics don’t hold as much importance. One thing is certain, it is not a game for everyone. For players who are into RPG stuff, this could feel right at home.
The first dungeon, where the game starts, makes it clear why people like it, because it is that simple. If you were looking for a Bethesda-style RPG, then this is exactly what that is. The star of the show here is the Arthurian legend on which the game is based.
The presentation, writing, music choices, and art style make it quite good. If you are into older-feeling games, then there is stuff to like here. Even if it has flaws, I would like to see how the developers take it from here. If you are into old-school RPGs, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is tailored for you.
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