Belboz
Literate
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2021
- Messages
- 18
A warning, to the reader, the naysayer, the skeptic... THIS IS WAR!
Just kidding. And with that said... I don't claim that Risen 2 is better than Gothic (1 or 2 is the same) or that the best installment of the series, but I really love this game.
In an RPG world full of drama, in which you are the overly serious Geralt of Rivia – implied in an overly serious political struggle or in an epic search for a sassy 'princess'; in which you are the Shepard of the Galaxy or the mighty Dovahkiin, it is pretty refreshing to be an almost 'normal' guy, with an eyepatch, with an obnoxious fiancee and an “epic mission” which is NEVER taken too seriously.
I love to hate Patty, because she is the 'romantic' interest which never falls in love with the protagonist (and she also mocks you, the scoundrel!), and so it is an immense satisfaction to make her toil in the kitchen in Puerto Sacarico, provided you have enough oratory skill... because dialogue skills matters in Risen 2.
I love some of the companion: the confused Bones, the tribal girl, and the vulgar Jaffar. I especially love his cursing, the nose scrubbing and his “stupid” Auri Culci quest, a meta joke to all the “epic” missions in most RPGs.
Graphic wise, Risen 2 is still amazing today (just forget the faces). It has a beautiful day-night cicle, with thunderous stormy effect and beautiful waves crashing on the beach. Every TINY island is full of nook and crannies and it is a joy to explore. A truly “hand-crafted” experience in stark contrast with a scenario full of open world, “rich” of copy-pasted locations (yes, Skyrim, I'm talkin about your Dewmer's ruins). The OST is wonderful. Sadly, Kai Rosenkranz is not on board this time, but every piece of music is a treat to listen and it is immensely atmosferic.
In terms of gameplay, Risen 2 offers more than any contemporary RPGs. We have two distinct way to roleplay our experience: we can be a 'mindless' rifleman or a Voodoo expert, in which case we can resolve the main mission in most cerebral ways (se Sebastiano's main quest in Puerto Isabella). I also love the way in which we can customize our avatar: it may not seems much, but if compared to the +5% increments granted by almost every skills in Wild Hunt, it is immensely pleasurable to send out our monkey to distract some guards, or to plunder some otherwise inaccessible loot. I never take pickpocket in any RPGs, but the rewards in Risen 2 are well worth the GLORY investment.
I love the cursing, the pirate vibe...I also love the main antagonist and the fact that the NPCs refer to her as a bitch. Not to mention, that the final boss battle is one if not the most satisfying Piranha Bytes has ever made.
And, of course, I love Steelbeard. He is a bit cartoonish, but he oath moment is highly reminescent of the oath of fire in the first Gothic, and a pleasure to behold. Steelbeard is also a buffoon, but he goes off with a bang, reclaiming his dignity.
Risen 2 has also no (insert a random curse of your choice) random loot: every chest is worth opening because it can contain useful crafting material (never too abundant) or a part of a mighty sword. The combat system is not particularly evolved, but mastering parry and riposte can give a bit of welcome strategy, if melee is you primary choice, and the voodoo charms work like... charm! Ahem! Pistols and muskets are also fine, and perfectly viable.
So, in conclusion, it is no Gothic or Risen (the first, obviously), but Risen 2 is a fun solid game, underrated and unfairly slandered.
Just kidding. And with that said... I don't claim that Risen 2 is better than Gothic (1 or 2 is the same) or that the best installment of the series, but I really love this game.
In an RPG world full of drama, in which you are the overly serious Geralt of Rivia – implied in an overly serious political struggle or in an epic search for a sassy 'princess'; in which you are the Shepard of the Galaxy or the mighty Dovahkiin, it is pretty refreshing to be an almost 'normal' guy, with an eyepatch, with an obnoxious fiancee and an “epic mission” which is NEVER taken too seriously.
I love to hate Patty, because she is the 'romantic' interest which never falls in love with the protagonist (and she also mocks you, the scoundrel!), and so it is an immense satisfaction to make her toil in the kitchen in Puerto Sacarico, provided you have enough oratory skill... because dialogue skills matters in Risen 2.
I love some of the companion: the confused Bones, the tribal girl, and the vulgar Jaffar. I especially love his cursing, the nose scrubbing and his “stupid” Auri Culci quest, a meta joke to all the “epic” missions in most RPGs.
Graphic wise, Risen 2 is still amazing today (just forget the faces). It has a beautiful day-night cicle, with thunderous stormy effect and beautiful waves crashing on the beach. Every TINY island is full of nook and crannies and it is a joy to explore. A truly “hand-crafted” experience in stark contrast with a scenario full of open world, “rich” of copy-pasted locations (yes, Skyrim, I'm talkin about your Dewmer's ruins). The OST is wonderful. Sadly, Kai Rosenkranz is not on board this time, but every piece of music is a treat to listen and it is immensely atmosferic.
In terms of gameplay, Risen 2 offers more than any contemporary RPGs. We have two distinct way to roleplay our experience: we can be a 'mindless' rifleman or a Voodoo expert, in which case we can resolve the main mission in most cerebral ways (se Sebastiano's main quest in Puerto Isabella). I also love the way in which we can customize our avatar: it may not seems much, but if compared to the +5% increments granted by almost every skills in Wild Hunt, it is immensely pleasurable to send out our monkey to distract some guards, or to plunder some otherwise inaccessible loot. I never take pickpocket in any RPGs, but the rewards in Risen 2 are well worth the GLORY investment.
I love the cursing, the pirate vibe...I also love the main antagonist and the fact that the NPCs refer to her as a bitch. Not to mention, that the final boss battle is one if not the most satisfying Piranha Bytes has ever made.
And, of course, I love Steelbeard. He is a bit cartoonish, but he oath moment is highly reminescent of the oath of fire in the first Gothic, and a pleasure to behold. Steelbeard is also a buffoon, but he goes off with a bang, reclaiming his dignity.
Risen 2 has also no (insert a random curse of your choice) random loot: every chest is worth opening because it can contain useful crafting material (never too abundant) or a part of a mighty sword. The combat system is not particularly evolved, but mastering parry and riposte can give a bit of welcome strategy, if melee is you primary choice, and the voodoo charms work like... charm! Ahem! Pistols and muskets are also fine, and perfectly viable.
So, in conclusion, it is no Gothic or Risen (the first, obviously), but Risen 2 is a fun solid game, underrated and unfairly slandered.