I said I wouldn’t play anything until I beat Oblivion: Remastered, but this Elder Scrolls-inspired AA RPG with stellar Steam reviews is mighty tempting: “Skyrim in a world that looks like Elden Ring, without the Souls-like difficulty”

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Over the last few weeks, I’ve had the good fortune to dive into Oblivion: Remastered, having skipped the original game. My introduction to the series was with Skyrim, one of my top picks among RPGs, and now I find myself playing a re-polished version of what is often hailed as the best game in the series for the first time.

I’m enjoying Oblivion: Remastered so much that I swore to myself I wouldn’t touch any other game until I completed it. However, it appears that I can’t keep my word.

I must admit that I’ve only experienced the demo of Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon so far, but it has an irresistible pull that makes me yearn to delve deeper. This fresh semi-open world RPG from Questline is marketed as a heartfelt tribute to first-person RPGs, and the impact of Elder Scrolls is palpable from the get-go, as you are challenged with breaking free from a grim, medieval prison. The user interface, character animations, lockpicking mechanics, and combat rhythm all seem reminiscent of the Elder Scrolls series from around that time.

In contrast to the Arthurian legends, the realm of Avalon presents a unique and distinct twist, as Tainted Grail seems to lean towards a darker, gothic, and oddly humorous atmosphere. For instance, the Steam description invites you to assume the role of “a mad alchemist-berserker who battles foes to their death,” and the world experiences something called “the Wyrdness” (pronounced like weirdness), which increases survival difficulties during the latter part of its day/night cycle.

In summary, it appears that this game promises an enjoyable experience based on Steam reviews. While many reviewers draw comparisons to Elder Scrolls and Skyrim, they also highlight the game’s immersive world and the satisfying aspects of exploring it extensively.

This one’s all I needed to read to give it a go:

This game triggers an old, familiar feeling reminiscent of The Elder Scrolls series, where I keep asking myself “What’s beyond this horizon?”… Seven hours later, I find myself still asking, “What’s over there?” Each question seems to unearth more mysteries as I wonder if there’s something hidden behind, beneath, within, or atop various locations. The answer is always affirmative, and the discovery is consistently thrilling.

A user who noticed similarities between FromSoftware’s creations finds Tainted Grail captivatingly reminiscent: “It’s as if Skyrim took place in a realm akin to Elden Ring, yet without the soul-like challenge. In essence, that description encapsulates it perfectly.

In another review, it was noted that the game’s lore seemed exceptionally well-crafted. This particular reviewer expressed that they were immediately drawn into the game’s world, so much so that they chose to read every book and note they discovered – an activity they typically avoid.

Discovering new things is thrilling and fulfilling. It’s been ages since a game has captivated me so much that I find myself pondering on it even when I’m not actively playing. I eagerly anticipate returning to it, and finding moments to step away from it is challenging because once I start playing, I can hardly pull myself away.

In my earlier conversation, I mentioned that Tainted Grail might seem somewhat nonsensical. This review is quite an adventure, but it’s crucial to read it because it emphasizes this very point. Let me rephrase it for you: “I undertook a mission, encountered a person in a dungeon, an ancient chef provided me with a recipe to create fish-based cheese. I went and got the fish, prepared the cheese, and my prize? A SPELL TO TRANSFORM PEOPLE INTO CHEESE.

Currently, approximately 89 out of every 100 recent Steam reviews for Tainted Grail are favorable, and I couldn’t locate any negative feedback that wasn’t tied to performance issues. Essentially, Oblivion: Remastered, it seems you may need to share my television screen with another extensive RPG (around 50-60 hours) for a while, if you aren’t minding the competition.

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2025-05-29 00:40