I can only agree with most of the previous speakers: This is the best RPG ever. Of course, you could argue, whether the skills are too superficial, but that's a matter of taste. A clear advantage of the Gothic series is that: + Your own character and all NPCs have dialogues. + The Gothic world is in 3rd person perspective. + The areas, especially in Gothic 2 are huge. + Combat action is influenced actively, by dodging etc. (no click-and-fight) + Very varied areas (forest, city ...) The graphics are very good for an RPG of these dimensions and the areas are clear, huge and impressive. Of course, a role play can not compare with graphics smashers such as Far Cry or Unreal Tournament 2003/04. Of course, such a huge game world also has a few quirks that do not disappear even by a high-end computer: - Cliping error (you can run through some objects). - Due to the spatial depth, high hardware requirements. - There is only one character (Story for technical reasons with Gothic 1, but I really like). That's all what I noticed. What I mean by "bad for newcomers": Basically Gothic is beginner-friendly and you can usually sometimes allow a maldistribution of Skills. NORMALLY. One can in good conscience as a beginner start with Gothic 2, but in no case with Night of the Raven. DNdR fully integrates in Gothic 2, it is not a separate start 2 versions possible and at DNdR the difficulty is much higher. My Recommendation: Only Gothic 1, playing for the story. (Power almost as much fun as Gothic 2) Then Gothic 2 play. And when you get used to the style of Gothic: Night of the Raven. Although you feel when you play without DNdR missing something in the Gothic 2 world, but you should really practice only because at DNdR you can not afford a misstep in the Skills. Example: I was just on two-hand combat and strength concentrated and would have me to level up even more in the end. So when DNdR is already more concentrated play required. All in all, a very good assortment in the add-on to the FOR NOW should not aware if one is beginner. For people who can not do anything with RPGs or are not sure (how it was with me): Role playing is in my view a great improvement of Adventures (Zelda, etc.) and not so linear. It has a very long game and there are no levels, as usual in shooters. Seamless story, and scenes from start to finish. It is integrated, the game world and can hit different "career paths": magician, mercenary, etc. From the escaped convict who has nothing to great warriors. Once RPG, RPG ever. In this sense, thanks for reading!
