I started Gothic today for the first time. I don't need to be sold on the series as I played and completed Gothic 2 back in the day (and Risen), but I never got around to the original until now. I find the controls quite fine actually, despite being told for years I would hate them. Holding Mouse1 and pushing 'w' to do shit is weird, but whatever.
My biggest issue right now is that it seems like... how do I put this... the same fucking game as Gothic 2 and Risen. Does it differentiate itself more? I am only at the Old Camp so obviously I have barely begun, but I just want to make sure the story, setting and such have enough of their own personality that I shouldn't just be replaying Gothic 2 instead. 'Cause a big part of me is thinking it would more awesome to just replay Gothic 2.