An ambitious 'Scrolls-like' RPG that shines with deep character building and impactful choices, but is ultimately tarnished by late-game bugs, poor boss design, and performance issues. A flawed gem with incredible potential.
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon presents a dark fantasy RPG experience heavily inspired by Arthurian legend and landmark titles like The Elder Scrolls. The game takes place in the troubled land of Avalon long after the passing of King Arthur, a world now rife with political strife, a deadly plague, and a monstrous mist. Developed by a small studio, Quest Line, it successfully emulates the grand scale and player agency of its inspirations, offering a world where exploration is paramount.
The game's greatest strengths lie in its deep character progression and compelling loot systems. These elements work in tandem to make exploration exceptionally rewarding, as every dungeon and distant landmark promises unique gear that can redefine a character's build. Player choice carries significant weight, with decisions leading to meaningful and often unexpected consequences that shape the world and its inhabitants. The narrative cleverly twists familiar myths, forcing players into moral dilemmas and challenging their preconceptions of the legendary tales.
While the first-person combat is a visceral and responsive improvement over games from a studio like Bethesda, it falters in the later stages. The system shines in duels against humanoid foes but becomes frustrating during poorly designed boss encounters and fights with non-humanoid creatures. This decline is indicative of the game's core issue: its ambition sometimes exceeds its execution. The early parts of the game are polished and enchanting, but the latter half suffers from a noticeable increase in bugs, performance problems, and a general lack of refinement, revealing the seams of its development.
