PixlBit

 It has the combat of something like DMC, that is quite combo based. It also has a monster climbing mechanic like in Shadow of the Colossus. However, the first few hours of the game are a bit meh, it is quite difficult, and there isn't a fast travelling system. I loved it, but if you had trouble getting into Oblivion and KoA I'd give this a miss. The combat is better than those two games, and that could be enough to drive you on, but I don't know...

Thanks,Blake. Yeah, I do love good combat but then again Amalur had good combat too and I ended up putting it down. I don't mind a lack of quick travel but the slow start might be a tough hurdle for me to get beyond.

It's not so much that it's slow, it's just a bit confusing. There's more variety in this than KoA

That's good. KOA is a decent game but it did get repetitive & the "lore" behind its' world wasn't interesting at all. (Despite being written by RA Salvatore) I also couldn't get over the basic look of the fey. lol.

Oh, in this it's a merging of traditional fantasy tropes, greek mythology, and some japanese mythology as well. The lore is kind of cool.

Yeah, DD does seem to have better lore from what I've seen in my research. I don't understand how someone can live after having their friggin heart removed though. lol.

There is an awful lot of walking. A lot of inventory management as well, from what I remember. But I'm a compulsive organizer, so I was a bit obsessed with item crafting in menu. It's more of an action RPG, and actually felt a lot like God of War combat.

I like God-Of-War styled combat and KOA had that in spades. However, I still kind of got bored with it. I will say I like the graphical style more in DD. Reminds me of Dungeons & Dragons which is a big plus!

A lot of times when you have to leave the capital and search for your next quest, you go through a day night cycle, and if you go out at night, you're basically blind except for the light of your lantern. Being ambushed in pitch black night and spamming action buttons gives it a feel of survival horror, like you have to survive the trip to the next area. I remember feeling like, this place wants to kill me, it's not safe. Please let me make it. Please let me make it. 

I like the night cycles. Anything with a hint of survival horror is up my alley.

You know what I think?  I think you should read my blog. :)

Check yer blog me harty,arr!

DDDA has a lot going for it its a 3rd person rpg compared to Oblivions 1st person the game like asrealasitgets said had alot of walking and you will have to grind alit cause like Dark Souls this is a world with creatures that can end your game in one blow, but with that said i think you would love it, it has some of the most spectacular boss battles i ever played and the games over a 120 hours long but a damn great game and one of my favorites.

Yeah, I'm seriously considering it! At 29.99 it's a steal! It's either this or Tombraider, Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor's edge, or Ken's rage 2.

I don't mind DD: DA being difficult so long as it's fair.

Its fair no cheap shots you just have to be careful its easy to wonder somewhere you shouldn't have lol us old guys love to wonder so needless to say i died alot being curious lol!! But out if the games you named the biggest bargain and repeatability would be DDDA hands down :D

I do walk off the beaten path a lot. It's true. I'm not the smartest adventurer.

It's like an open world DMC. Not as over the top or Stylish, but more so than anything else out there.  I'd also describe it as a Level 5 action-rpg done right, but with less narrative drive.  Wouldn't compare it to KoA, which was like a watered down Divinity 2 crossed with Fable. DD has a very Japanese feel to it, despite the stock DnD visuals and bestiary.   Personally I think it's the third or fourth best ARPG that has come out in a while, sharing company with Dark Souls,Fallout New Vegas, and Divinity 2.

I admit, it's a risk for me but I think I'm going to go for it,Chris. It's a shame the story behind everything isn't a bit more "meaty", but if the combat and exploration are top notch I'm good. I also like the overall look of DD more than KOA. (I  read there are romance options so that's a small merit too.)

It's DMC: The RPG. I really like its combat. Wish it had a little more narrative punch, but the gameplay blows almost any other action RPG out of the water except *maybe* Demon's Souls, and that's what counts in a game like this.

Amongst the combat,exploration, and scarier night cycle I'm pretty much sold. I'll probably be ordering a copy Monday and see how I like it, Andrew. I admit I'm taking a risk (Normally I prefer games with better characterization and better narrative) but DD has so many intriguing ideas I have to at least give it a chance!

I'm a big fan of Dragon's Dogma myself, so I'd recommend that you give it a try.  It can be a little difficult at first, but it gets pretty awesome once you get the hang of the world and the rules.  Also Dark Arisen is an expanded version of the game that adds an extra (and harder) area, plus some tweeks and improvments.  At $30 that's a lot of bang for your buck.

P.S.  It does have a fast travel system, but it's hard to use right away because it's expensive.  The Dark Arisen version of the game makes it cheaper then the original, but 200 K is still pretty steep..... 

Thanks,Ceva! Yeah, I read somewhere the travelling crystals/stones were way too expensive. Oh well. I've played many enjoyable rpgs but not many perfect ones. Even the nostalgic rpgs of my youth had flaws.

I expect to get my butt kicked quite a few times the first 10-15 hours playing on account Divinity II DragonKnight saga was like that too. (Depending on where I got lost. lol.)

I would love to help you with the Ben, but unfortunately I haven't played it so I can't offer any worthy perspectives...

If you're not sure though, Dark Souls is running for $20 now!
*Insert evil laugh, lol*

Too late,Chris. Already ordered Dragon's Dogma. Geh, wish I would have seen that price for Dark Souls.

No worries man! It's been $20 for a while now so I'm sure that when and if you decide on it, it'll still be $20 or possibly even less!

Can't say myself. Never bothered with the first one upon hearing of the on disc DLC that capcom was trying again. Let us know how it goes (unless you have in a blog i've yet to read.)

Yup, already have another blog in DD: DA ,mate! Feel free to drop in anytime!