Like many others here, I've also always the urge Risen 2 with (of course) Risen 1 and the Gothic games to compare.
At first I was afraid that that Gothic 3 repeated disaster. Firstly, because I had already read in advance that the world does not consist of the area, but of several smaller. But I was taught.
At the very beginning was not really the feeling that the other PB games emerged, but thought better of it after a few hours, and at once brought me the game a lot more fun than before.
The pirate setting is admittedly no longer truly innovative, but it was a nice change to the fantasy, and I must say that it was very well done, and a good mood mediated.
With a slightly lower resolution, the game played very smoothly even on my laptop, and was able to graphically the game is still very convincing. And I must honestly say that I've never seen in a game such a beautiful sunset.
The game runs mostly as usual into the typical Gothic and Risen scheme. The dialogues are pretty rough and made me grin often to.
Well like I have the treasure hunts and references to "Legendary Items" the one, if you have brought them into his possession, is a permanent bonus to attributes or abilities.
The skill system is different than previous games.
While you collect as usual XP (fame in this case) by killing enemies, do Quest and eg also treasure hunts and finding the above items.
But once you have enough fame, you do not get an automatic level up, more life and 10 learning points that you then spend kanns with a teacher for attributes or talents. You can then choose directly in your inventory, which want to increase the 5 attributes (blades, firearms, hardness, Voodoo and cunning) you. Then you can, using gold from trainers learn the associated skills. Be the choice of whether you're going on an appoint for attribute quickly, and as the ultimate melee want, or rather a jack is completely up to you in all lanes.
Only the system has the drawback (at least for me) that I never had gold in his pocket, otherwise I liked this change but not bad, although I would still prefer the old system probably slightly.
The story was fine, nothing earth-shattering but not trashy. A few small surprises I had, another was somewhat predictable. More I can not say without spoilers.
Furthermore, I have remained almost completely spared from bugs and other faulty scripts.
But hey ... So far it all sounds quite positive now ... So why only 3 stars?
Many have mentioned it ... I'll do it again. The combat system. Bah. Quite a poor testimony in my opinion. It's just a Rumgeklicke without rhyme or reason. Even on the hardest difficulty. If you are still a member of the crew here have then that helps you, you can even do the heaviest beasts without any problems at a lower equipment- and experience. This is largely due to the more or less bad AI Oh dear ... They could really its predecessor model to keep from Risen 1 loyalty, even if it was not perfect either. But in all honesty, that it will hail such complaints on this issue, the developers in advance must have been clear. Quite thick minus point
I would have liked more Aussderdem reunion with old friends. Only two characters from Risen 1 were in Risen 2, one almost the entire game is useless, and the other is barely recognizable (and externally of the personality), but good, there are indeed a few years between the events of Risen 1 and 2. One or two times, Mendoza's death was mentioned, and without spoilers, I think, another person from Risen 1 will play an important role in the Third part of the series, but this was somehow mentioned only in a subordinate clause. That's it. For me perönlich very disappointing.
Then this is the matter of the guild system, that there is not in Risen 2. What is the most important point for me, why did I Risen 1 and the first Gothic Games played so often. There are, quite early in the game a point where you have to decide whether to accept the help of natives or the Inquisition, what a, depending on the choice of either allowing the learning of voodoo magic or the handling of firearms. A little later, but you can also learn the words of the party for which you have not chosen.
A small drawback for me as a big fan. But I could putting up fast ... It is, after all, a stand-alone game, and not everyone has played Gothic or Risen 1.
As I said, I have from time to time made during the game thinking about how my review should look like. No kidding ... about 10 minutes before I started writing here, I wanted to give the game a score between. 4 and 5 So why now only 3? I was the end just surprised. After the last fight I thought just yet, "Wait ... That was surely not now ... it's just Chapter 1" ... but unfortunately it was already.
It took less than 25 hours. I do not know whether that's kind of the trend at the moment, but I miss the times when I was far more than 50 hours in a RPG. Of course it is my own opinion, but that is far too little. I play really not fast ... I am firmly convinced that I took my time ... I even almost all the side quests as well, brought up on two legendary all items in my possession (the other 2 are still at dealers ) and am happy times just wandered aimlessly only.
This is the biggest drawback with decency. And where we are already at the end are the degrees. The story I was really happy and I see now even apples with pears giant GM. Although I have not played Mass Effect 3, but only heard of the end ... but honestly ... more disappointing than that of Risen 2 it can not be.
Conclusion, or TL: DR version
Despite major criticisms actually a solid game, though not worthy successor ... If it's still a few euros cheaper, then you have your money is not wasted. Maybe the AI is also still time patched, which would change the battle system fundamentally and would put the game in a new light.
