One of the most promising open-world RPGs in years is releasing next week on Xbox and PC

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After a long wait spanning over two years, it’s now official: Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon will be available to play starting May 23, 2025!

Incorporating the Arthurian mythos, your character is initially introduced as a captive, approximately six centuries following the establishment of Avalon by King Arthur. Subsequently, you embark on your journey to shape the world around you.

This game is a first-person, open-world role-playing title that bears some similarities to Skyrim. Some players have nicknamed it “indie-Skyrim.” One YouTube reviewer even stated, “Skyrim paved the way for Tainted Grail to excel,” which is quite a compliment.

Emerging from this early phase, the game’s development has taken a shape reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate 3 under Larian Studios. At present, only the prologue and opening act are accessible. Upon its full release, you will gain access to the second and third acts, as well as an epilogue that mirrors your in-game decisions.

Before delving deeply into my thoughts on why I find this game extraordinary, feel free to explore it yourself by downloading a demo on Steam! In this demo, players can experience the initial hours or so of gameplay and gauge whether Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon suits your preferences.

What makes Tainted Grail the most promising open-world RPG in years?

To start off, it’s important to acknowledge the tremendous success of the anticipated sequel to Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. This game is yet another exceptional first-person experience, offering countless hours of immersive content and opportunities for players to delve into repeatedly.

For enthusiasts of Skyrim who are eagerly awaiting Kingdom Come, there’s one key element that seems to be absent: the magic aspect. However, Tainted Grail delivers on this front, emulating the beloved Bethesda style that both developers and fans adore. In this game, spells can be equipped similar to weapons, allowing players to wield them in various ways such as dual-wielding or carrying a weapon in one hand while having a spell ready in the other.

Though Tainted Grail may not boast the same level of shine as many AAA titles today, it offers an old-school open-world RPG experience that’s been scarcely seen in recent years. What sets it apart is the sheer variety of paths open to the player, which is nothing short of remarkable.

In the initial section, which is included in the demonstration, there are spots that you might accidentally overlook or choose to ignore entirely. You’ll encounter one such area where a pickaxe is embedded in a wall. Once you retrieve it, you’ll discover that it allows you to clear a path through rocks and enter a corridor teeming with enemies.

Beyond that, Tainted Grail carries a very somber tone. It brings back an ancient foe known as the Wyrdness, along with a lethal disease that King Arthur once vanquished. Sadly, the old king is no more, replaced by lethal Red Priests and monsters intent on eliminating you and your world.

The battles are merciless and rigorous, pushing players to their limits with over 55 spells and a whopping 400 weapons available for selection. Indeed, that’s 400 different weapons!

In addition to an estimated main quest spanning between 60-70 hours, over a hundred side quests await players in Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon. If you’re on the hunt for your next immersive RPG experience, this game is worth considering! At the very least, give the demo available on Steam a try.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon launches on May 25, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5.

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2025-05-20 14:39