But how does this compare to Risen 3 and Arcania 4: Gothic 9?
So far I rate it 6+ Ri2ens out of 10 Arcanias.
No, it's much worse. At least in 2W2 all the empty space was populated by rhinoes. Here's it's just empty.
Do you think it is even possible for them to fix it with patches?
I doubt it. They could fix the b0rked sounds and some performance issues, maybe even the clunky combat, but so far what just bothers me the most about this game is how ridonk empty it is, and there's no way in hell they can "fix" that with patches.
Just check this shit out:
This is the island of Bridgetown. Only the part uncovered from the fog of war is accessible, all the rest is blocked off by an invisible wall saying 'you can't go any further'.
Still, there is an area in the lower left corner that is outside the city proper and looks like it could have something. Nope.
There is some sort of garrison or whatever right next to it. Nothing there.
To the north is a big building that looks funky. Forget it.
In the east is a shady alley that looks like some sort of illegal fighting place. Guess again.
South-east there's a marketplace on a pier. There's only 1 dude selling trash there.
As for the entire town itself, the moment you land there are very conveniently placed blips on your map that show you with just how many people you can interact. The grand total of that was 5 - an English governor that gives you a quest, a dude that blackmails one of your crewmen and gives you a quest, a dude that owes you money which you can kill or let go, your bro Morgan Freeman who just walks around, and a guy who wants to sell a ship.
Two more blips show merchants that sell trash.
Two more blips show main-quest related buildings that you can enter (a brothel and a shop).
There is NOTHING ELSE that you can interact with in this town. No one to talk to, no house to enter, nothing. Have fun.