If you’re a fan of dark fantasy RPGs and love open-world games like The Elder Scrolls, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon might just be your next hidden gem. Developed by indie studio Questline, this ambitious double-A game brings the grim world of Arthurian legend to life in a new and captivating way. Though not without its flaws, it offers a rewarding and immersive experience that’s well worth your time—especially if you’re craving a story-rich RPG with strong exploration and choice-driven gameplay.
A Grim Arthurian Setting with a Fresh Take on Classic Tropes
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is set in a dark and twisted version of the King Arthur mythos. You begin the game as a nameless prisoner—an opening that clearly pays homage to The Elder Scrolls. Soon, you discover that you carry a fragment of King Arthur’s soul and must recover the rest across the cursed land of Avalon. Along the way, you’ll meet characters like Merlin, knights, and townsfolk—all voiced with care and written with surprising depth.
This isn’t your traditional Camelot tale. The world is dangerous, mysterious, and filled with a creeping supernatural threat called “the Weird,” which brings eerie creatures and fog during special “Weird Nights.” This setting adds a unique flair that separates it from other medieval fantasy RPGs.
Strong Narrative and Memorable Characters
What stands out most in The Fall of Avalon is its storytelling. Dialogue is well-written, and characters feel genuinely alive, despite some stiff animations. Talking directly with King Arthur—whose soul is trapped within you—adds a creative twist to the chosen-one narrative. From powerful wizards to everyday shopkeepers, the characters are compelling and full of personality.
The branching story paths allow your choices to shape the outcome, offering multiple endings and giving you a reason to return for future playthroughs. Key decisions—like choosing whether or not to carry out an assassination—have lasting consequences, making your journey feel personal and impactful.
Familiar Yet Flexible RPG Gameplay
In terms of gameplay, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon offers a satisfying blend of exploration, combat, and character progression. It’s clearly inspired by Oblivion, with stat-based leveling and skill growth tied to how you play—whether you’re wielding swords, casting spells, or sneaking through enemy camps.
The world is filled with side quests, dungeons, and hidden secrets. Combat, while occasionally clunky, offers a solid variety of weapons, magical abilities, and enemy types. The game’s economy and encumbrance systems are forgiving, allowing you to spend more time exploring and less time managing inventory.
One standout feature is the pacing. With a main story that runs about 25 hours, the game feels tighter and more focused than many sprawling RPGs. You’re encouraged to explore at your own pace, level up, and return to the main story when you’re ready—making for a flexible and enjoyable experience.
Technical Issues Hold It Back (For Now)
Unfortunately, The Fall of Avalon is plagued by a range of technical issues—especially on PS5. Some bugs are minor, like missing dialogue lines or floating NPCs. Others are more serious, including a save file corruption bug that forced a restart halfway through the game. While a day-one patch addresses some of these problems, it’s disappointing that such issues remain after a long early access period.
Final Verdict: A Promising Start for Tainted Grail in Gaming
Despite its technical shortcomings, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is a bold and promising entry into the RPG genre. It captures much of what makes The Elder Scrolls great while delivering its own unique flavor through a dark fantasy lens. With engaging storytelling, meaningful choices, and a haunting world to explore, it’s a must-play for fans of immersive, choice-driven RPGs.
Whether you’re a veteran of Western RPGs or just looking for something different in a fantasy setting, this Tainted Grail game deserves your attention. It’s not perfect—but it’s a compelling glimpse at what the future of the franchise could become.
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