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Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon Review – Is It Good on PS5?

Oliver Henry Bennett Murray • 2026-05-13 • Reviewed by Maya Thompson

Few board-game-to-video-game adaptations capture the same atmosphere twice, but Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon tries exactly that. Launched on February 18, 2025, the open-world RPG has earned a Very Positive rating on Steam from more than 4,500 reviews (Steam), and this article examines its PS5 performance, playtime value, and mixed critical reception.

Metacritic score (PC): 71 ·
Metacritic score (PS5): 70 ·
Steam rating: Very Positive (82% of 4,500+ reviews) ·
Approximate playtime: 40–60 hours ·
Release date: February 18, 2025 ·
Developer: Questline

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Release date: February 18, 2025 (Steam)
  • Available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S (Before You Buy)
  • Metacritic PC: 71; PS5: 70 (Metacritic)
  • Steam rating: Very Positive (82%) (SteamDB)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact total sales numbers (not publicly disclosed)
  • Long‑term player retention beyond launch month
  • Details of 2026 DLC content
  • Possibility of native PS5 Pro enhancements
3Timeline signal
  • Early Access began 2021 (RPG Site)
  • Full 1.0 release: February 18, 2025 (Steam News)
  • Post‑launch patches in 2025 (Steam)
  • DLC planned for 2026 (Steam News)
4What’s next
  • 2026 DLC release (content details TBA)
  • Continued patch support (likely)
  • Potential PS5 Pro optimization
  • Unclear if PS4/Xbox One versions will follow

Ten key specs, one pattern: Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon offers a generous single‑player experience at a mid‑price point, but its technical polish varies across platforms.

Specification Value
Developer Questline (Chalgyr’s Game Reviews)
Publisher Awaken Realms
Release date February 18, 2025
Platforms PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre Open‑world action RPG
Metacritic (PC) 71 (Metacritic)
Steam rating Very Positive (82%)
Playtime (main story) ~40 hours
Playtime (completionist) ~60+ hours (RPG Site)
Early Access duration 2021 – February 18, 2025 (RPG Site)
DLC planned 2026 (content TBA)

The implication: the game delivers substantial content for its price, but the slightly below‑average Metacritic scores suggest not every player will enjoy the whole journey equally.

Is Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon any good?

Critical reception and Metacritic scores

Reviewers have generally landed around the 7/10 mark. On PC the Metacritic aggregate is 71 based on 18 critic reviews (Metacritic), while the PS5 version sits at 70. Specialist site Chalgyr’s Game Reviews gave the PS5 version 8.75 out of 10, calling it “a dense, atmospheric RPG that rewards patience” (Chalgyr’s Game Reviews). RPG Site praised the narrative depth and world design, noting the game offers “50+ hours of content” (RPG Site).

Steam community feedback

The player community is more enthusiastic. On Steam, the rating sits at Very Positive with 82% positive reviews from more than 4,500 reviews (Steam). Players often highlight the unique Arthurian setting (an eternal autumn) and morally branching story as standout features. The most common criticism targets repetitive combat and occasional technical glitches. One Reddit user in r/ShouldIbuythisgame rated it 8/10 and said it “has more soul and personality than Skyrim” (Reddit player discussion).

The trade-off

For every player who loves the deep exploration and narrative, there is another frustrated by uneven combat polish. The Steam score suggests the former group is larger, but the Metacritic gap shows critics are less forgiving of technical rough edges.

The implication: the Steam community sees past technical flaws, while critics remain more cautious.

Is Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon on PS5 or other consoles?

Current console availability

The game launched simultaneously on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on February 18, 2025 (Before You Buy). There are no versions for PS4 or Xbox One, and no announcement of such ports.

Confirmed future console releases

None beyond current platforms. Awaken Realms has not indicated any plans for a Nintendo Switch version or next‑gen upgrades beyond what’s already shipping.

PS5 performance and worth it analysis

The PS5 version targets 60 fps with occasional frame drops during busy scenes. The game uses the DualSense haptic feedback lightly. Barreldrill described it as “an ever‑improving RPG” whose “console debut feels stable enough for a day‑one purchase” (Barreldrill specialist gaming site).

Why this matters

Console‑only players finally get a full open‑world RPG in the Arthurian dark‑fantasy niche — a genre typically dominated by PC‑first titles. The trade‑off is a lack of modding and slightly lower graphical fidelity compared to a high‑end PC.

Why this matters: Console players get a unique genre entry, but it lacks PC modding and high-end visuals.

How many hours of gameplay does Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon have?

Main story playtime

The critical path through the main quest takes approximately 40 hours, according to RPG Site’s review (RPG Site).

Completionist playtime

Players who explore every side quest, optional dungeon, and region can expect 60+ hours. The game world is large with many hidden areas.

Factors affecting playtime

  • Difficulty of main bosses (can add extra hours if you die repeatedly)
  • Reading lore and dialogue (extensive codex entries)
  • Exploration of non‑essential islands

The pattern: Tainted Grail offers roughly the same playtime as Skyrim or The Witcher 3, making it a strong value proposition for RPG fans who prioritise content density over graphical polish.

Was Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon a success?

Sales and player count

SteamDB data shows a concurrent player peak of 12,000+ on launch weekend. Industry estimates place sales at 100,000+ units in the first month (SteamDB). Precise revenue figures are not public.

Post‑launch support and updates

Questline has released multiple patches since the 1.0 launch, fixing stability issues and adding quality‑of‑life features (Steam changelogs). The developer has a track record of supporting its Early Access games long after release.

How it hit its Steam 1.0 release

The game spent over two years in Early Access (2021–2025), building a dedicated community and iterating based on feedback (RPG Site). This long testing period helped smooth out many core systems before the full launch.

The catch

Early Access players effectively funded the game’s development. The 1.0 release rewarded their patience, but it also means the game’s “success” is partly a fulfillment of pre‑orders and a loyal core — not necessarily broad market breakout.

The catch: success is partly a fulfillment of Early Access loyalty, not a broad breakout.

Is Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon worth it on PS5 now?

Pros and cons of PS5 version

Upsides

  • Stable 60 fps with only occasional drops
  • All PC‑version updates included at launch
  • Atmospheric world that makes full use of PS5 SSD
  • Generous 40–60 hours of content

Downsides

  • No ray tracing support confirmed
  • Occasional minor frame‐rate dips in crowded areas
  • Cannot be played with keyboard+mouse on console
  • No mod support (available on PC)

Price and value comparison with PC version

The PS5 version costs $49.99, the same as on Steam. For that, you get the entire game plus all post‑launch patches up to today. PC players can get slightly better visuals and mod support, but the console version is a solid alternative for those without a gaming computer.

Future updates and DLC outlook

DLC is confirmed for 2026 with the working title “Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon – 2026 DLC” (Steam news). Details are sparse, but content will likely include a new region and story expansion. Existing owners should get the DLC at a discount or free, judging by Awaken Realms’ past behaviour.

Timeline: From board game to RPG

  • – Early Access launch on Steam (RPG Site)
  • – Multiple updates, community feedback cycles
  • – Full 1.0 release on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S (Steam store page)
  • – Several stability and performance patches (Steam News)
  • – DLC expansion

What we know and what we don’t

Confirmed facts

  • Release date: February 18, 2025
  • Available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
  • Metacritic PC: 71, PS5: 70 (Metacritic)
  • Steam rating: Very Positive (82%) (SteamDB)
  • Playtime: 40–60 hours
  • Based on the board game Tainted Grail (The Jimquisition)

What’s unclear

  • Exact total sales numbers
  • Long‑term player retention beyond launch month
  • Details of 2026 DLC content
  • Possibility of native PS5 Pro enhancements

What players are saying

“It’s an 8 out of 10 for me. Better than Skyrim in soul and personality — the world feels alive, and the choices actually matter.”

— Reddit user, r/ShouldIbuythisgame (Reddit player discussion)

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is an ever‑improving RPG that carves a unique space with its dark Arthurian mythos. Console players finally have a reason to pay attention.”

— Barreldrill review (Barreldrill specialist gaming site)

The upshot

Both voices agree the game’s atmosphere and narrative are its strongest cards. The disconnect lies in technical polish: core fans see past the rough edges; casual players may be more sensitive to them.

For anyone who loves sprawling RPGs with a distinctive setting, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon delivers exactly that — a 40‑hour world of moral choices and Arthurian mystery. The Steam community has already validated the core experience with a Very Positive rating. The PS5 version, while not free of technical hiccups, matches the PC experience and will gain value once the 2026 DLC drops. For console‑first players in the US and Europe, the $49.99 price point is fair: buy it if atmosphere and story matter more than pixel‑perfect combat; hold off if seamless technical performance is your non‑negotiable.

Additional sources

youtube.com

Frequently asked questions

What is the story of Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon?

You awaken in a cell held by the Red Priests, a fanatical order that uses torture to cure the Red Death. King Arthur’s soul is bound to your character, and your goal is to gather the missing pieces of his soul and complete his resurrection (RPGamer gaming review).

Does the game have multiplayer or co‑op?

No. It is a strictly single‑player first‑person RPG with no multiplayer or co‑operative modes.

Is the game difficult or casual‑friendly?

It leans toward moderate difficulty. Combat requires attention to enemy patterns and stamina management, but the open world allows you to level up before tough fights.

What are the system requirements for PC?

Minimum: Intel Core i5‑6600K, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GTX 960. Recommended: Intel Core i7‑8700K, 16GB RAM, NVIDIA RTX 2060 (Steam).

Are there difficulty settings or accessibility options?

Yes, multiple difficulty levels are available from the start, and the game includes subtitles, aim assist, and adjust‑able controller sensitivity.

Can I play Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon on Steam Deck?

Yes. It is listed as Playable on Steam Deck, with some tweaks needed for optimal performance (Steam Deck compatibility).

Does the game support ray tracing on PS5?

No ray tracing has been confirmed for the PS5 version as of the latest patch.

How often does the developer release updates?

Questline has issued roughly four patches in the first three months after the 1.0 launch, focusing on stability and performance improvements.



Oliver Henry Bennett Murray

About the author

Oliver Henry Bennett Murray

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.