[DTKT]

What a bummer.

I expected a refined version of Risen. Taking out exploration is pretty bad on it's own. :|

[Derrick01]

read IGN review to see that you are being wrong in this case.

Perhaps in this one case but usually they're all awful with these games, not just IGN in particular. I don't bother looking at them just to be safe.

[Jac_Solar]

Their enviroment designs are leagues ahead of anything else in gaming, nobody else comes close. The forests, in particular, are superb.

That's why I wanted this game to be open world/large cohesive land mass. Their worlds are totally unlike any other in the business, and they offer a unique gaming experience with an unparalleled level of immersion. Quests and exploration feel more like a proper adventure.

What little I did play of the beta version was pretty good though; the enviroments aren't as open as their previous games, or atleast how I remember them. Artificial-ish borders like impassable bushes, mountains and such were all over the first island, with corridors/smaller paths leading to new locations, but there were also some 'secret' or hard to find locations/dungeons behind bushes and such. Like a slightly less open ended Dark Souls; The artificial borders that most likely won't let you pass -- unlike Dark Souls, which let you go wherever you wanted pretty much.

There were also some slightly large areas, field-sized, which did look quite awesome. But I think they said that the game would open up as you played.

[Moonstone]

What a bummer. I expected a refined version of Risen. Taking out exploration is pretty bad on it's own. :|

It's not taken out, it just got reduced.

Another review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMEVvAaEj3I

[Stormwatch]

Does anyone know when we can start downloading the game on Steam?

[subversus]

It's not taken out, it just got reduced. Another review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMEVvAaEj3I

looks nice. Will buy when I finish part 1.

[Alextended]

Some of that footage makes it look quite promising. I think they've advanced enough in graphics and such though, more than you'd expect from such studios at least, they better focus on the content and gameplay for the next one. I want Gothic II-2.

[xir]

streaming the first hour right now if any one is curious http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mis...urone-risen-2/

[Labadal]

Gamebanshee has a review up.

http://gamebanshee.com/news/107842-g...rs-review.html

[Clydefrog]

If I get the same level of enjoyment I did with Risen 1, then I will be happy. I'm not expecting Gothic II-2 :(

[R dott B]

Preordered this just because I'm a pirate nut.

[TucoBenedictoPacifico]

Gamebanshee has a review up. http://gamebanshee.com/news/107842-g...rs-review.html

Brother None, best RPG reviewer around as usual.

[Zefah]

Gamebanshee has a review up. http://gamebanshee.com/news/107842-g...rs-review.html

Troubling stuff about performance in there. I got Arkham City when it came out and it ran like complete shit in DirectX 11 mode. If Risen 2 runs worse than that as the review indicates (although it didn't say what settings he was running Arkham City in), then I'm trouble.

The first Risen ran really well for me, too.

[Stallion Free]

In general, while each island is fairly small, they take at least a few hours to explore, and have the usual hallmarks of Piranha Bytes' games. There's ledges to climb to find small troves of gold and booze, treasure maps to follow to dig up pirate booty, and enemies wandering around to fight. Some maps are pretty dense (like Maracai Bay), some are a little emptier in treasure to uncover and enemies to fight, but overall, the draw of exploration is as effective as it is in this studio's previous titles. In rewards, the game offers not just gold and booty, but interesting legendary items that give permanent boosts, as well as parts of high-level weapons you can forge.

Ok this is pretty much all I needed to read. I am completely in love with the scale and density of Risen 1's map and this sounds like it will hit the spot as well.

[samus4ever]

Preordered this just because I'm a pirate nut.

I got it preordered too for the same reason. I might cancel my console version since they delayed it and pick up the PC one this week.

[Lafiel]

Gamebanshee has a review up. http://gamebanshee.com/news/107842-g...rs-review.html

Review definitely makes it sound like the game is worth playing in any case, but it's troubling that it wasn't to Risen 1 what Gothic 2 was to Gothic 1. Oh well, will probably pick it up during a steam sale in any case.

[-SD-]

Low/Medium/High graphics comparison.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBFMt72WZoE

[cleveridea]

Hmm disappointed that firearms >>>>>>>>>>> swords against monsters

Can I be effective with firearms while maximizing melee combat skills (sounds more varied and interesting) or do I really need to specialize in just one?

[-SD-]

Encyclopaedia Gnomenica

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8WHGpx4eTk

Graphics look pretty nice, actually. Epic pop-up, though.

[Alextended]

I really hate obvious pop in. I hate it in Crysis, I hate it in The Witcher 2, I hate it everywhere.

I'd rather be able to remove chunks of detail geometry altogether instead of have them show up/convert 5 feet ahead.

I don't care to make pretty screenshots, devs, I care for the game to look consistent and solid as I play.

Like the way that comparison video starts with a flickering palmtree. Who thought visuals that result in such glitches are good?

That doesn't mean I'll not get the game over that or anything, it has to be a mediocre/bad game first, but come on...

[vaelic]

6.5. what a shame. think ill pass

[Alextended]

More reviews, quoting from RPGWatch.com

AtomicGamer complains that Piranha Bytes needs to make their games more accessible (which our readers may take as a positive comment) on the way to a score of 7/10:

Mash Those Buttons finds the game "inconsistent", though again our readers may enjoy some of the oversights. Score: 3.2/5:

[Tex117]

I have no problem with this coming out in July for consoles. A little polishy will probably do the game some good.

More importantly, decent game releases are hard to come by in the dead of summer...Thus, I will go into this with the same expectation as Two Worlds 2...Just kinda go along for the ride...oh, and wait for the bargin bin price.

[TucoBenedictoPacifico]

Thus, I will go into this with the same expectation as Two Worlds 2...Just kinda go along for the ride...oh, and wait for the bargin bin price.

Nah, Risen 2 is actually quite good despise its flaws.
Two Worlds 2 is pretty much a Bethesda game with lower budget.

Hmm disappointed that firearms >>>>>>>>>>> swords against monsters Can I be effective with firearms while maximizing melee combat skills (sounds more varied and interesting) or do I really need to specialize in just one?

You don't choose between firearms or swords, they are actually complementary.
Pistols are used *while* using swords as some sort of "smart bomb" with high cooldown and muskets... muskets are at the same time a melee and a ranged weapon.

[WorstUsernameEver]

Troubling stuff about performance in there. I got Arkham City when it came out and it ran like complete shit in DirectX 11 mode. If Risen 2 runs worse than that as the review indicates (although it didn't say what settings he was running Arkham City in), then I'm trouble. The first Risen ran really well for me, too.

DX9 medium settings for AC, lowest of the low for Risen 2. Straight from the horse's mouth. Hope it helps!

[Zefah]

DX9 medium settings for AC, lowest of the low for Risen 2. Straight from the horse's mouth. Hope it helps!

Phew... I'm less worried now. Arkham City ran fine for me when I tried it in DX9 at launch. It was DX11 that was the problem. I heard that patched it though... I should probably go back to that game someday. The DX11 performance just really soured the whole thing for me.

[Reuenthal]

you can't join factions, damn that is disappointing. Risen was one of my favorite RPG and Risen 2 was the game I was most expecting this year, I will still get it but if it is not fucking amazing as I expected it to be, I would be somewhat disappointed.

So how good is this in comparison to the first Risen?

[Alextended]

You don't choose between firearms or swords, they are actually complementary. Pistols are used *while* using swords as some sort of "smart bomb" with high cooldown and muskets... muskets are at the same time a melee and a ranged weapon.

Yeah, that's the vibe I got, kind of being a jack of all trades character, with a bit of wiggling room on what to primarily focus on, rather than specialising too much completely blocking other paths. It's kind of disappointing as far as variety in repeated plays goes but not necessarily too bad. Witcher 2 doesn't exactly let you be a full mage or full ranged based character either, you just do it all, but still get to specialise in some ways. I hope I'll like this game but I really hope they go big for the next one. Gothic II-2 plz.

[Man From Atlantis]

Risen 2 Performance Review - PCGH.de

[Alextended]

It's neat how these charts never have lower end CPUs, like I'll have the latest 4+ GHz monster but only a crappy GPU to go with it.

Anyway, if it's not very CPU dependant I may play it ok, I have a GTX285, but won't be running it at that high res or maxed + AA.

[Stallion Free]

It's neat how these charts never have lower end CPUs, like I'll have the latest 4+ GHz monster but only a crappy GPU to go with it.

Well videocard swapping takes considerably less effort than processor swapping.

460 performance doesn't look like it's improved much from the beta :(

[Joe Molotov]

Looks like I'll be getting around 40fps.

[Spectacular Dr Dawg]

Strange that they didn't test the GTX 580. How does it compare to the 7870?

[Clydefrog]

must.preload.ASAP

[Labadal]

How are Green Man Gaming with sending out codes? Can I expect to get it tomorrow?

[subversus]

*hugs 7950*

I'm gonna play it unpatched and enjoy plethora of bugs. I like my RPGs raw!

[Lucky Forward]

I just preordered this from Steam, and I thought I would be able to preload or install it knowing that it wouldn't get "unlocked" until Friday. Instead the Install button was grayed out after I paid for it, and the game shows up in my Steam library but I can't do anything with it.

Do I have to wait for Friday to do the actual download?

[Spectacular Dr Dawg]

I just preordered this from Steam, and I thought I would be able to preload or install it knowing that it wouldn't get "unlocked" until Friday. Instead the Install button was grayed out after I paid for it, and the game shows up in my Steam library but I can't do anything with it. Do I have to wait for Friday to do the actual download?

Few games have pre-loads, unfortunately.

[Lucky Forward]

Few games have pre-loads, unfortunately.

Oh...somehow I'd gotten the idea it was a common thing. Thanks, I'll be patient.

[Pyrrhus]

So just out of curiosity, how much heavier is this than Risen 1? And do we know anything about the DRM used?

[TucoBenedictoPacifico]

So just out of curiosity, how much heavier is this than Risen 1? And do we know anything about the DRM used?

not sure about the first question, and the DRM is just Steamworks this time. No ugly TAGES.

[pilonv1]

Guessing around 30fps for my 5850 then.

[Pyrrhus]

the DRM is just Steamworks this time. No ugly TAGES.

Music to my ears.

[Stallion Free]

not sure about the first question, and the DRM is just Steamworks this time. No ugly TAGES.

Tages is gone from the original too thank goodness. It made me so much happier.

[DMPrince]

i still will get this game. reviews be damned.

[Bog]

Where does a game this ugly get off running so poorly (according to that posted chart). I still want it in a weird way, though. $39 on GMG, btw.

[Stallion Free]

Where does a game this ugly get off running so poorly (according to that posted chart). I still want it in a weird way, though. $39 on GMG, btw.

This looks ugly? Ok.

[CecilRousso]

I look for one thing in reviews about RPG´s, how they describe choices and consequences. Sadly, this game looks seems very bad in that aspect, so I feel no urge whatsoever to buy this game now. Lack of consequences is the biggest immersion killer of them all for me.

[TucoBenedictoPacifico]

I look for one thing in reviews about RPG´s, how they describe choices and consequences. Sadly, this game looks seems very bad in that aspect

Actually, no. If you played a previous Risen or Gothic before you should know what to expect: lots of quests where you have to pick sides and you have plenty of ways to resolve the same problem.
If anything, Piranha Bytes' NPC interaction is above the average, not below.

[subversus]

Actually, no. If you played a previous Risen or Gothic before you should know what to expect: lots of quests where you have to pick sides and you have plenty of ways to resolve the same problem. If anything, Piranha Bytes' NPC interaction is above the average, not below.

but is it the case in this game?