Risen PC Demo Released

I've downloaded the demo twice, and on both occasions, when installing it, I encounter an error. It is really frustrating me.

So, I guess I'm almost a Piranha Bytes fanboy, though I missed most of the first entry in the series (played it once or twice, but never through). Loved G2 and spend lots and lots and lots of time with it and its addon; I guess I played it through 3-4 times, always different in terms of character development and gameplay. G3 was bad: barely running on my hardware back then, occasionally crashing, but I liked the faction thing and finished the storyline, but then I got the hell outta there.

First of all, glad the guys put out the demo to try out some hardware issues I was expecting (I'm on an early 2009 macbook pro now, which already makes me worry about playability). But so far, it runs decent (1440x900, medium-high) - will try some more exhaustive settings once I get back to my 24" screen.
Gameplay is just like Gothic 2, so I'm having a blast. Yes, graphics are not too great: plants look *very* ugly in the distance, animations are far from perfect, and magazines have reported that there's not a lot of variety in character models. But I guess it'll be big on the exploration part, which is just my style. If you don't like wandering around a beautifully handcrafted world full of dungeons and forests and swamps, well... better try something else.

combat is frustrating if you're used to diablo one button mashing. you have to make use of timing your parries and figuring out their attacks, then going in after their 'turn', swipe a few times, parry a few, repeat.

game's running great on my middle aged system (C2D/E8500/4GB/XP/2x4850's/1920x1200) with everything cranked.

I like the world, but the damn combat is frustrating. Sad because I liked everything else about it.

So did anyone else notice that the menu theme song sounds like some crappy off-shoot of the Fallout 3 main theme? How embarassing music guy.

FYI, first time around it crashed when I installed to something other than default path. Tried again using the default directory and it worked.

After playing the demo I've come to the conclusion that the animations are bland, the combat in this game is unsatisfying and somewhat gimped and the monsters are pretty unimpressive just like the character models are. The environments are ok thus far, nothing spectacular however I have a hard time coming to try and buy this game for anything more than $39.99. I will most definitely wait till the prices lowers. This game is about average at best of an experience based on the demo. Plays very similar to Gothic 3.

guys rpg's are rare as it is, and all you guys can do is complain about shitty animations? Give me a break.

A demo before release!

Carve that in stone.

Seems like a good game. I enjoyed the demo. Got the game preordered on Steam.

Very interested in hearing peoples thoughts about this. Stuck on a laptop for a few days so can't try it myself.

No FSAA and no Vysnc in game, nor can they be forced on Nvidia hardware. Can't re-bind the alt key to anything. Minor gripes, but might be worth mentioning for some. Personally, I can't play a game that lacks vsync though; the tearing just bugs the shit out of me.

The opening area was running smooth though at 60+fps. Q6600, GTX 280, 8gb ddr21066, vista x64.

Well if anyone cares I bout the game and will put up tommorow or the next day a full detailed review.

Maybe a full game review can calm down some of you negative folks, purhapse some of you are all just spoiled with too many games...

We shall see the verdict in the next day after I have had a go with it, as well I will review the Sacred 2 Expansion Ice & Blood UK version.

While I am at it this weekend might review Sigma 2 against the 360 version too.

Out

Simple RPG on rails. Almost like an old adventure game. I liked it anyway.

The TLDR on this game is that if you like Gothic, you'll like this. But it doesn't change much from Gothic 3...it's still chock full of shitty animation, bland dialogue, ugly monster and character design, and mediocre combat mechanics. If you don't like Gothic, you still won't like this.

Looks nice, plays nice. Only the animations are pretty bad for my taste. I'll give it another try tomorrow.

Did you even play this demo yet? Just curious?

Doesn't really look all that amazing.

Worth the download?

Awesome!

I'm probably the only person who keeps thinking of the unfinished Doom 2 total conversion "Twice Risen" every time I see the headline.