Recent reviews by Brodwyn

It's like Gothic but it's totally not I swear. There just happen to be a world in the almost exact state as at the end of the Gothic games, but that's okay, it's just a coincidence. Anyways, the game itself is fairly good, the combat is a bit fiddly at times, especially when the game decides to 'queue' my actions, so I'll be drinking a potion and after drinking it the roll I wanted to do mid-drink finally comes through. At the end of the day it doesn't really make the game unplayable by any means, just takes time to get used to.

Graphics are beautiful considering how old the game is and the world is nice and alive. The story is, perhaps predictable, but still enjoyable.

Gameplay wise the combat is quite fun at times. The ability to hit multiple enemies with one swing can lead to some satisfying multi-kills and the magic seems quite fun. You can even aim with your ranged weapons and magic, a step-up from what it was in the Gothic games, hurrah.

Either way, I would recommend this, though you might have to edit the .ini file a little to make the sensitivity better, but really that's an expected side of an older game.

TL;DR: A believable world, lots to explore and a decent combat system, creating a good game.

If you liked Gothic 1, you'll like this one too. Gothic 2 is basically just Gothic 1 extended. You pick up where you left off, though you've conveniently forgotten most things so you'll need to level up and skill up again.

This one is basically the same game, with some changes and improvements, vastly improved graphics and textures - the world and forests for example look less like a bunch of trees over a plot of grass and more like an actual forest with pretty flowers, bushes and what not.

Combat in the game is basically the same as Gothic 1, however I found it a little more forgiving - especially parrying could be used to good effect and not just stunlocking enemies like in 1. Magic also is great fun once you get past the first hurdles of actually getting magic, though even then you'll rely on your sword - as you will for most of the game anyway, so that's hardly an issue.

To cut things short, it's pretty much a Gothic 1+, pretty much the same game, just way more things to do and experience, with some nice twists along the way to keep you on your toes, no matter which way you choose to go.

A true gem of a game, Gothic 1 manages what many games fail to capture - an engaging, living world with integrity. Did an NPC tell you not to run off into the dark forest because you'll be mauled by a beast, but you did it anyway because hey, you're the hero, right? Yeah there's a Shadowbeast to maul you to death. Oh and he'll keep mauling you to death for most of the game. Only in the latter part will you be strong enough to fight it.

There's no low tier draugr to fight in a dungeon, instead there are skeletons. The skeletons, contrary to Skyrims draugr for example, don't become 'overlord deathlord master of death and destruction draugr' instead they stay as skeletons. However, you might find yourself in a cave you are unprepared for, and suddenly there's a skeleton mage summoning a horde to rush you down. Or maybe there's a troll, or an elite orc fighter, who knows really.

Overall graphics are obviously dated, being a 20 year old game by now, but if you can look past that and just embrace it, Gothic will be a good experience.

Voice acting overall is a bit ... janky at times, at least in the english version, however in my humble opinion that leads to more funny moments than anything negative, for example a guy in one of the first settlements you enter complaining that you are walking through his house with a strange american accent. It's really just funny more than anything else.

As for the story, it's there. The story overall makes sense and is okay. It's nothing mind bending or world-view altering, but it's there and it's alright. If you're looking for deep philosophical debate, the most you'll have to think of is which camps ideals you can most align with - the 'this is fine' old camp, the 'let's blow the barrier holding us here open and leave' new camp or - my personal favourite - the weed smoking, religious fanatic-filled swamp camp. The choice is up to you, each path leading to some differences, namely what kind of armour you'll wear for a good 70% of the game.

TL:DR; It's a great piece of old school german roleplaying gaming with expected strange things that for me at least were easy to overlook.

Welcome to Estalia, gentlemen. I will not lie, the chances of your survival are small - some may even turn against your friends as living corpses... But you have my word that I will use my arcane gifts to ensure your bodies are given unto Morr's garden. This is the greatest reward, more than even gold, for the fate of your soul is an eternal concern! Now, come. Follow me, strike down the Undead that rise against us, allow me to find this eldritch amulet. I ask not for my own selfish studies, but for the good of the Empire!



So in short: Yeah dude.

At 2980 hours you can probably imagine that I like this game. That's because I do. It's an oldie but goldie. Great fun 12/10 especially with modding, which, just as an aside, is incredibly easy. You just yeet a mod into the module folder and launch the module in the launcher. Wham, bam, it's almost harvesting season.

If you're wondering why this review is different from before, it's because the last review was trash, so I changed it. Okay bye now