Risen 2: Dark Waters / Review

Risen 2: Dark Waters / Review

In recent months, a western RPG genre is going through a very prosperous period, during which on store shelves have followed heavyweights the likes of Kingdom of Amalur Skyrim, Mass Effect 3 and The Witcher 2. Within this large group of headlines, also wants back into the game development team Piranha Bytes Teutonic with Risen 2: Dark Waters, the second installment of the series, unanimously considered the spiritual successor of the unforgettable saga Gothic.

After the ups and downs seen in the first chapter, Risen 2 starts from the port city of Caldera, which has allocated the last stronghold of the Inquisition, whose members also include the nameless hero who, because of unfortunate events with Titans and monstrosity attached, is trying to forget everything affossandosi alcohol. Adding to the picture of interpreters, there are other old favorites such as Patty, the daughter of the pirate Silver Beard.

To once again put into question humanity is Mara, a Lord of the Titans who has control of the oceans and is preventing the survivors to land on a new land safer. Almost immediately, however, one discovers that there is a magical artifact that could destroy the Titans, why bring the protagonist to leave in search of this mysterious weapon. The plot is devoid of pompous movie in computer graphics and any other type of contamination film, but the pirate-themed background blends perfectly with the world of Risen 2: Dark Waters and delegates wisely throughout his narrative dialogues and the contents scattered the world of gaming, like a real old school RPGs should do.

The structure of Risen 2 is similar to that of its predecessor, namely that of an old-fashioned role-playing game that offers an almost total freedom of movement within its vast world, forcing you to travel the length and breadth of all the locations to bring completed, the long main campaign and all the other numerous side activities. Unlike the first chapter, which started in a free manner and then went on channeling the path of the player, Risen 2: Dark Waters begins in a linear fashion but then gives the player the most complete arbitrariness.

The interesting fact is that at this stage relieves the player will be a real pirate captain, complete with a ship and crew ready to follow him from exploring the island and another. Obviously, Piranha did not intend to develop the interpersonal sphere in a way BioWare et Simila, but simply make it more realistic and live the adventure game due to the presence of other characters, among other things with a well defined characterization. During his adventure, the player will often have to decide where to stay, but without ever having to join a faction, as they did in the other titles but Piranha Bytes. The only way forward will be one of the pirate. Which, actually, it's not really a bad thing.

The structure of character growth is divided into three subparts strongly linked to one another, attributes, talents and abilities. Attributes are increased through the glory points, accumulating with killings and missions, and the development of which increases reflecting the values ​​of talents, representing the effectiveness of swords, firearms, stealth and physical endurance . The ability to finally have all those skills as a new attack moves, crafting or stealth and burglary that can be learned only by paying the teachers who meet in the places visited.

The setting motivated pirate has resulted in the elimination of magic in the traditional sense of the term, however, replaced by more consistent voodoo art, or "black magic", with which you can create dolls to curse enemies and magical scepters various types. A fundamental role is played also dall'armamentario that, as in any good RPG that respects, contributes significantly to strengthening the ability of the alter ego.

Remain regarding weapons, as regards the combat system, although they have added new set of moves and attack patterns that make the fights much more diverse, the underlying woodiness and the camera often unrelated to the lock-on is still a problem serious for a title that makes this a component of its key elements. Even on a technical level Risen 2 is certainly not a cutting-edge product, indeed, in many situations a certain aftertaste anachronistic. However, sgraffignando profusely from the literature on the world of pirates and buccaneers, Piranha Bytes has managed to orchestrate a truly remarkable artistic direction and charming.

Very well soundtracks and environmental sampling, as it turned a mediocre level in English dubbing. Another drawback is represented by artificial intelligence of enemies and friends, who often react slowly or too artificial stimuli to the player. Despite all the limitations described above, Risen 2: Dark Waters is the perfect role play for anyone who loves the genre in its most classical and minimalist. In addition, the pirate novel environment is an added value not irrelevant and that makes the product attractive for lovers of hooks and hidden treasures.

Risen 2: Dark Waters Special Edition Xbox 360
Risen 2: Dark Waters Special Edition PLAYSTATION 3
Risen 2 : Dark Waters [Download for Windows Vista / 7 / XP]