Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon -- Full play walkthrough - Stream 1

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Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon, developed by Awaken Realms, is an open-world, story-driven RPG that reimagines Arthurian legend in a dark, atmospheric setting. Released in early access in 2023 and reaching its 1.0 version in 2025, the game blends the sprawling exploration of The Elder Scrolls, the gritty realism of Gothic, and the narrative depth of The Witcher.
The story of Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is a masterclass in dark fantasy storytelling, reimagining the Arthurian mythos in a world where Avalon is a decaying, cursed land. You play as a customizable protagonist—a nobody thrust into a realm of fallen heroes, corrupted knights, and eldritch horrors. The narrative begins with a personal, grounded quest but quickly spirals into a complex web of moral dilemmas, ancient prophecies, and existential threats. Unlike many RPGs, the story doesn’t spoon-feed you; it’s layered with cryptic lore, environmental storytelling, and nuanced NPC interactions that reward curiosity.
Every quest, from main storylines to side missions, feels meticulously crafted. For example, a seemingly simple task to help a village might unravel into a tale of betrayal, sacrifice, or supernatural dread. NPCs are memorable, with distinct personalities and motives—think of characters like those in The Witcher 3, where even minor figures have depth. The writing is mature, tackling themes of despair, redemption, and the cost of power, often leaving you questioning your choices. The game’s lore, inspired by its board game predecessor, is dense yet accessible, with codex entries and dialogue revealing a world shaped by the Wyrd, a mysterious force that adds a Lovecraftian edge to the Arthurian framework.
Gameplay and Mechanics (3.7/5)
Tainted Grail offers a robust RPG experience with mechanics that will feel familiar to fans of Skyrim or Kingdom Come: Deliverance, yet it carves its own niche with unique systems. Let’s break it down:
Combat: The combat system is a blend of first-person (and now third-person in 1.0) melee, archery, and magic. Melee feels weighty, with a stamina-based system that rewards timing and positioning. Dodging, blocking, and striking have a visceral heft, reminiscent of Dark Souls lite, where enemies hit hard, and mistakes are punishing. Magic, tied to the Wyrd, adds flair with elemental spells and summons, though it’s less refined than melee. Archery, however, feels underdeveloped, with clunky aiming reported by some players. The gear system—featuring customizable weapons and armor—can be a double-edged sword. While it allows for build diversity, some reviews highlight balance issues: you might find overpowered gear early, trivializing encounters, or struggle with underpowered equipment in tougher areas. Patches have improved balance, but it’s not seamless.
Exploration and Open World: The open world is a standout, encouraging exploration with hidden secrets, dynamic events, and branching paths. You can climb cliffs, swim through murky waters, or sneak into enemy camps, evoking Elder Scrolls freedom. The Menhir system, a teleportation mechanic tied to ancient stones, adds a strategic layer to navigation, as you must activate them to fast-travel. However, some players find the lack of a clear map or compass disorienting, though this aligns with the game’s hardcore, immersive ethos.
RPG Systems: Character progression is deep, with skill trees allowing specialization in combat, stealth, or Wyrd-based abilities. Crafting is intricate, letting you forge weapons, brew potions, or enchant gear, but it requires resource gathering that some find grindy. Quests offer multiple solutions—diplomacy, stealth, or violence—catering to different playstyles. However, the dialogue system, while robust, lacks the polish of AAA titles like Mass Effect, with occasional clunky responses.
Issues: Bugs are the biggest drawback. Players have reported corrupted saves, quest triggers failing, or NPCs behaving erratically (e.g., getting stuck in geometry). While the 1.0 release fixed many issues, some persist, particularly in complex questlines. Combat balance and control responsiveness also need refinement, as inputs can feel sluggish, especially on controllers.
Overall, the gameplay is engaging and ambitious but held back by technical and balance issues. It’s a love letter to classic RPGs, but it requires patience for its rougher edges.
World Design and Atmosphere (4.5/5)
Avalon is a character in itself—a bleak, beautiful world of misty forests, ruined castles, and cursed bogs. The level design strikes a balance between open-world freedom and handcrafted detail, with every location feeling purposeful. Abandoned villages tell stories of plague, while ancient Menhirs hum with eerie energy. Dynamic weather, like sudden storms or creeping fog, enhances immersion, and the day-night cycle affects NPC behavior and enemy spawns.