Today marks an important day in the lives of 38 Studios and Big Huge Games with the release of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. We've had the chance to play Reckoning for the past several days and have a comprehensive preview for you. Read on and then let us know what you think!

We’ve had the pleasant fortune of playing 38Studios’ first release, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning over the past few days. Comparisons to Skyrim and the Elder Scrolls will abound, given that Ken Rolston (of TES fame) is heading the design team. But one area where Reckoning immediately exceeds Skyrim (in my eyes) is in its combat, which has more in common with Fable or God of War than anything else. While I’ve not had enough time to truly review it just yet (that’ll be next week), I thought we could at least give you some of our first impressions after several hours in R.A. Salvatore’s new world… in short? It’s absolutely stunning, riveting, and most of all: fun. This is a world we can all get lost in, and one I don’t want to leave for some time. But let’s get into the details, the ups and downs and what works and what doesn’t so far.

Read more of Bill Murphy's Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning First Impressions Preview.