Gothic

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1243 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,077 out of 1243
  2. Mixed: 86 out of 1243
  3. Negative: 80 out of 1243
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  1. OneVoice
    Nov 22, 2011
    10
    How the hell does this game have such a low score. I'm a big fan of open-world RPG games, and this game is the definition of what I find good in a game. Admittedly, it does take an hour or two before you really sink into the world and the story, but once you reach that point, and you've gotten used to the combat system, the game doesn't let you go. The world is one of the mostHow the hell does this game have such a low score. I'm a big fan of open-world RPG games, and this game is the definition of what I find good in a game. Admittedly, it does take an hour or two before you really sink into the world and the story, but once you reach that point, and you've gotten used to the combat system, the game doesn't let you go. The world is one of the most well-designed worlds from almost any game I've ever played. Play it!… Expand
  2. Alex2011
    Dec 28, 2011
    10
    Strange thing is: This game had a user rating of about 8.8- 9.2 some months ago! If you look at the reviews you will notice that written reviews are almost all very positive.
    But there seem to be many people who dislike the game but didnt't tell us why.
    And believe me: these negative ratings were not there half a year ago. My personal conclusion is: THE RATING IS MANIPULATED by haters/    Strange thing is: This game had a user rating of about 8.8- 9.2 some months ago! If you look at the reviews you will notice that written reviews are almost all very positive.
    But there seem to be many people who dislike the game but didnt't tell us why.
    And believe me: these negative ratings were not there half a year ago. My personal conclusion is: THE RATING IS MANIPULATED by haters/ other developers etc...

    This makes me sad because Gothic and Gothic II are masterpieces of game experience and one of my favourite games of all time!    … Expand
  3. buff740
    Nov 24, 2015
    10
    Just awesome game.Beautiful world, great story,soundtrack and characters.Spent a lot of hours at this game.One of the best RPGs i have ever played!Dunno how can it have so many negative reviews.
  4. HarkerLP
    Apr 23, 2014
    10
    It is the best RPG I ever played. Everyone should visit the brilliant world of Gothic. Good old ruhrpottquality (the game was delevoped in Bochum, Germany).
  5. MAJkLSON
    Apr 9, 2015
    9
    One of the best RPG experiences you can have. Nice European style of game with open world. Controls are little bit hard to learn and the game-play itself is also little bit hard, but once you break through these obstacles, you will be rewarded!
  6. Grdnfreeman
    Jul 2, 2020
    8
    2001 yılına göre şaheser bir RPG oyunu. İlk başlarda çok zorlansanız da, dark souls misali güçlendikçe oyuna zevk gelmeye başlıyor ve bağımlısı oluyorsunuz. Normalde 9 dan aşağı puan almayacak oyundur. Ancak oyun eski diye bugları yok sayamayacağım malesef. Oynarken sık sık buglarla karşılıyorsunuz. Bu da oynarken deli edebiliyor. O yüzden 9 değil de, 8 veriyorum sırf yapıldığı yıla2001 yılına göre şaheser bir RPG oyunu. İlk başlarda çok zorlansanız da, dark souls misali güçlendikçe oyuna zevk gelmeye başlıyor ve bağımlısı oluyorsunuz. Normalde 9 dan aşağı puan almayacak oyundur. Ancak oyun eski diye bugları yok sayamayacağım malesef. Oynarken sık sık buglarla karşılıyorsunuz. Bu da oynarken deli edebiliyor. O yüzden 9 değil de, 8 veriyorum sırf yapıldığı yıla saygımdan.
    RPG seviyorsanız kesinlikle kaçırmayın. Oyundaki buglar oyunumun içine edecek cinsten ciddi buglar değildi ama oyunumu çok baltaladılar.    … Expand
  7. Trazerge
    Oct 26, 2017
    10
    Non fatevi ingannare dal poco tempo di gioco, ho finito questo capolavoro all'epoca e in versione originale.
    Cosa dire del primo capitolo di Gothic? E' una vera perla.
    Nonostante i bug, i difetti grafici e le traduzioni spesso scadenti resta uno dei giochi di ruolo più vivi e affascinanti della storia. Una trama meravigliosa si unisce a un mondo di gioco vivo e dinamico che reagisce in    Non fatevi ingannare dal poco tempo di gioco, ho finito questo capolavoro all'epoca e in versione originale.
    Cosa dire del primo capitolo di Gothic? E' una vera perla.
    Nonostante i bug, i difetti grafici e le traduzioni spesso scadenti resta uno dei giochi di ruolo più vivi e affascinanti della storia. Una trama meravigliosa si unisce a un mondo di gioco vivo e dinamico che reagisce in conseguenza al nostro approccio e alle nostre azioni.
    Un gioco che andrebbe restaurato.    … Expand
  8. Kot_Matroskin
    Jun 8, 2018
    10
    the best RPG 2001-2004 (in my opinion), you can pereprohodit 100 times, quests, characters, magic, weapons all done qualitatively.
  9. Sharpen
    Jul 31, 2018
    10
    This game might be hard for a lot of people nowadays as it is unforgiving and doesn't lead you by hand. The controls are weird, but after you get used to them they are okay. The best thing is that a lot of quests can be done in many different ways.
  10. Gelaos
    Sep 19, 2018
    8
    Oh, the game of my childhood. So many good memories... Joining my first camp, killing my first orc, giving water to peasants, smoking my first weed... OK, enough with the sentimentality.

    I never had any problem with the controls, it just came naturally to me. Catching story with some great twists, great atmosphere, challenging combat, memorable characters, tough enemies, EXCELLENT world    Oh, the game of my childhood. So many good memories... Joining my first camp, killing my first orc, giving water to peasants, smoking my first weed... OK, enough with the sentimentality.

    I never had any problem with the controls, it just came naturally to me. Catching story with some great twists, great atmosphere, challenging combat, memorable characters, tough enemies, EXCELLENT world design and exploration. You will lose, you will die, you will lose again but you will gain experience with this game every time. Gothic won't give you anything for free but it's really rewarding game.    … Expand
  11. DaniloNovakovic
    Aug 14, 2020
    10
    CONS:

    - Outdated graphics (understandable since the game is from 2001) - Clunky controls (you get used to it, but feels very weird at the start) - No crafting shortcuts (ex. if you want to grill 50 meat you have to go through "grilling" animation 50 times) - Navigating through the menu can be annoying PROS: - Great story - Absolutely immersive - Perfect map size (memorable    CONS:

    - Outdated graphics (understandable since the game is from 2001)
    - Clunky controls (you get used to it, but feels very weird at the start)
    - No crafting shortcuts (ex. if you want to grill 50 meat you have to go through "grilling" animation 50 times)
    - Navigating through the menu can be annoying

    PROS:

    - Great story
    - Absolutely immersive
    - Perfect map size (memorable world - quality>quantity approach)
    - No annoying cinematics
    - You can climb almost everything
    - Actions have consequences
    - Minimal loading screens (there are almost none)
    - Fighting animation improves / changes as you improve abilities (ex. at the start you hold one-handed sword with two hands, but after you learn ability you swing it better and hold it with one hand)
    - You learn abilities through teachers (as opposed through "magical" UI like in other RPG's *cough* Skyrim *cough*)
    - There are no "invisible walls" that you cannot go through, but instead, map boundaries are defined by smartly placed enemies that will kill you (if you cannot kill something it means you are not ready for it, and you should go other way and get stronger)
    - The map is an actual physical object that you have to buy, and some dangerous areas are left hidden in map because dangerous beasts live there so person giving you map doesn't know what is there (that section can be "unlocked" when you meet strong NPC who has been there - he draws it on your map)
    - One of the only games where NPCs actually help you out a lot, to the point where you actually wish to help them, same applies in reverse, some will bully you around and you will want to take revenge later (oh boy does it feel satisfying)
    - All of the side quests are carefully thought out and are equally interesting as the main quest
    - You can transform into different beasts making it possible to avoid certain enemies / enter secret locations (great for speedrunners / 2nd playthrough)
    - Enemies can get mad at you and stop talking to you
    - Actions have consequences!
    - Night and day cycle - guards have shifts, their own routine
    - You can do parkour (when you unlock "acrobatics" you can dash around and jump from building to building)
    - When you craft items you have to physically do the whole process (ex. a heating sword, hitting it with a hammer, dropping it in water, and sharpening it)
    - Lockpicking is very interesting - mini memory game
    - Chest items are not random but carefully put in depending on how hard it is to reach it
    - NPC's react when you walk into their house / pull out a weapon in the middle of the city
    - Animals don't attack you immediately but give you warning first / chance to go back

    The list goes on and on, but sadly my fingers started to hurt :P It's a game that literally comes once in 10 years (alongside Gothic 2, which is also amazing)

    Would recommend it to anybody! Just note that it is necessary to look for mods online because it is still 2001 game and needs some additional work to make it run on a modern system (Windows 7, 8, or 10). Thankfully there are some YouTubers who made this process trivial.    … Expand
  12. Misza123
    Apr 5, 2019
    9
    Another great classic. Aged pretty badly, especially controls and graphic, but the most important here is atmosphere and good idea for the world and environment. I know that many modern players, who will try Gothic today won't like it. But for sure everybody should try.
  13. KarolP
    Dec 27, 2019
    9
    + Great atmosphere, interesting history and world with NPC living their own lives. Fantastic protagonist, many characteristic characters, sensational soundtrack, terrific polish language version.
    - Average graphics, few technical problems.

    Definitely one of my favourite games. Coming back to it many times nad never got bored or disappointed.
  14. PaYaB
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    Underrated legendary RPG, still playing it from time to time, it feels so real. Only small minus is that this game has kinda clunky controls, but you'll get used to it.
  15. Elementis
    May 2, 2012
    7
    The storyline is quite nice, well woven into a fluid and magical questline.

    But there's one problem: the control scheme. Everything depends very heavily upon the control scheme, and for such an old game, thats a pretty daunting flaw. I've given GOTHIC a few chances while re-arranging the controls a bit to my liking, but still some very odd choices stand out among the game, Like    The storyline is quite nice, well woven into a fluid and magical questline.

    But there's one problem: the control scheme.

    Everything depends very heavily upon the control scheme, and for such an old game, thats a pretty daunting flaw.

    I've given GOTHIC a few chances while re-arranging the controls a bit to my liking, but still some very odd choices stand out among the game, Like how mouse usage for opening a chest is required, and the inventory handling.

    Perhaps maybe i need to give gothic a few more chances, but for now its a good but very strange handling game.    … Expand
  16. Genezi
    Jun 10, 2017
    10
    Awesome game. i have spent a lot of time on this title. It has a great story with memorable characters. Good gameplay and best cut scenes with good dialogs.
  17. GarrettThief
    Apr 2, 2014
    10
    The atmosphere is awesome due to overall great voice acting and great music.
    Quests are not repetetive and you always do something meaningful...and when not then your hero gets angry fast ;) Generally the scripts for voice acting are just awesome...they fit so beautifully in this world!
  18. Kai82
    Oct 17, 2020
    10
    A classic action RPG. The Gothic series was acclaimed by fans and critics for its story, characters and technical prowess in graphics and small loading times. On the other hand it was famous for a lot of bugs and on day 1 it was a nightmare to play. After some time and many patches the bugs were (mostly) solved. To get an understanding you can read the documentation for the patches. A veryA classic action RPG. The Gothic series was acclaimed by fans and critics for its story, characters and technical prowess in graphics and small loading times. On the other hand it was famous for a lot of bugs and on day 1 it was a nightmare to play. After some time and many patches the bugs were (mostly) solved. To get an understanding you can read the documentation for the patches. A very long list. I played pretty late so I have not experienced many bugs and I am glad for it. But back to the game. The kingdom of Myrtana is at war with invading orcs. Without weapons made out of magical (infused) ore they would be in great troubles. Because they need as much ore as they can every criminal is convicted to forced labor at the mines. To prevent escaping the king tasked a group of his best mages to created a magic barrier around the mines that kills everyone that left the perimeter (Going in is not harmful). But something goes wrong and the barrier gets a lot bigger and captures the mages too. Additionally the prisoners rebel and kill all the guards. Because the mages can not undo the mistake the king cant send in troops because every man he sends will be trapped inside and he needs everyone to repel the invasion. They made an agreement. The former prisoners will deliver the ore and receive everything they want in exchange. Here starts the story of our nameless hero (Not a joke. It gets a running gag that he gets interrupted each time he wants to tell his name:-). He is thrown into the barrier and wants to escape. The story itself is great and has many twists and some surprises. It has great characters that I still remember years after I played the game like Diego, Gorn, Lester, Xardas, Lee and Lares. There is also a good portion of humor and an in-game concert for the band “In Extremo”. As you gain experience you level up and gain skill points. You can use these to train (increase) your abilities and learn skills like lockpicking, acrobatics or to gut animals. I always used bows as ranged combat is pretty useful against all enemies. Be warned you can explore nearly every part of the map early one. This is often an instant death as even wolfs are dangerous without good armor. There are of cause far more dangerous enemies as wolfs. I like the struggle for better armor, weapons and developing your character. You will feel the improvements making the difference. There are also multiple factions in the game that have branching parts in the story. You must chose one after a certain time. Lets get to the technical side. The graphics were really good for its time but demanding a lot from PCs. The loading times were also short. The soundtrack was good and as mentioned you get an in-game concert. Overall this was a must play for its time after the patches solved all issues. I liked it back then and think it is holding up well for its time. I think also I should warn more modern players. Elders Scrolls has improved the formula and make this game look inferior. Also on day one I would subtract many points for the bugs. I rated it as classic because I had no bugs (Because I waited long enough).… Expand
  19. nthngmuchtosay
    Dec 8, 2020
    10
    Yes, the mechanic sucks.
    I love it for the atmosphere made by the world created and music.

    I'm really sorry for the players that will play it for the first time, it will be tough to get used to mechanics and combats. Hopefully, after 2-3 hours, they're going to sink in the dark and helpless atmosphere.
  20. Dr4amLord
    Sep 3, 2016
    10
    Minden idők legjobb szerepjátéka, számtalanszor vittem végig, és még most olyan lelkesedéssel játszom, mint amikor 2001-ben először végigtoltam. Igazán megérdemelne egy remastert a 2. résszel együtt.
  21. KayVen17
    Jan 4, 2017
    7
    Deutsche Review - Kritik

    Der folgende Test ist in 5 Kategorien zusammengefasst. Diese 5 Kartegorien ergeben die Gesamtpunktzahl von 0 - 100 Punkten. Um einen passenden Userscore zu geben wird auf oder abgerundet. Bei 84 Punkten ergibt das einen User Score von 8. Bei 86 einen von Userscore von 9. Falls eine 85 kommt entscheide ich ob ich es eher positiv oder negativ nehme. Regeln    Deutsche Review - Kritik

    Der folgende Test ist in 5 Kategorien zusammengefasst. Diese 5 Kartegorien ergeben die Gesamtpunktzahl von 0 - 100 Punkten. Um einen passenden Userscore zu geben wird auf oder abgerundet. Bei 84 Punkten ergibt das einen User Score von 8. Bei 86 einen von Userscore von 9. Falls eine 85 kommt entscheide ich ob ich es eher positiv oder negativ nehme. Regeln verstanden?
    Dann sind hier meine Punkte.

    Mein persönlicher Score = 67/100
    Mein User Score = 7/10    … Expand
  22. NickUrs
    Aug 3, 2020
    10
    The best RPG game ever. Why play Gothic?
    The deep history of the worked-out world, though small! Many modern RPG's with an open but uninteresting world may envy this. There will be no strange overloaded scenes or lessons at every step, but the game will immerse you in the world of Gothic, like an interesting book.
    The battle system archaic but you will learn how to fight or do magic step    The best RPG game ever. Why play Gothic?
    The deep history of the worked-out world, though small! Many modern RPG's with an open but uninteresting world may envy this. There will be no strange overloaded scenes or lessons at every step, but the game will immerse you in the world of Gothic, like an interesting book.
    The battle system archaic but you will learn how to fight or do magic step by step and you will fill how your power is growing. You will think twice before you spend the last skill points. Also, you will think a lot before you attacking a pack of bandits or monsters or just silently skip them.
    I think this is the most atmospheric and immersing game from old times.    … Expand
  23. ClarkKunt
    Jul 25, 2019
    10
    One of the best RPGs of all time.

    + First three Gothic games have the best world design in any RPG ever period.
    + True RPG
    + Atmosphere
    + Progression system

    - game breaking glitches everywhere and modders always have to finish the games for Piranha
    Bytes which is pathetic. Almost as their attempt to make a sci-fi game called Elex.
    - combat system
  24. golemgac
    Jun 30, 2017
    9
    For me, it's one the best stories ever told in game industry. Big, dark world with many curious characters, terrifying monsters and interesting quests. The mood of gameplay is unique because of NPCs behaviour and a big number of things to explore in this mysterious prison. Of course there is a need to admit that mechanics and graphics of this game aren't 10/10, not everyone will find thatFor me, it's one the best stories ever told in game industry. Big, dark world with many curious characters, terrifying monsters and interesting quests. The mood of gameplay is unique because of NPCs behaviour and a big number of things to explore in this mysterious prison. Of course there is a need to admit that mechanics and graphics of this game aren't 10/10, not everyone will find that very encouraging nowadays. I extremely recommend Gothic to every fan of RPG, especially with mods (there are lots of them).… Expand
  25. FabianOOO
    Apr 2, 2017
    10
    As well as we all know Gothic is a Masterpiece when it comes to Fantasy RPG's. For me it's one of the Greatest games off all time. Many player love to come back into the game because of the story and the great atmosphere what this game gives us! I had a great time playing this game, i played it several times and i enjoyed it. Gameplay, story and soundtrack are just EXCELLENT! EspeciallyAs well as we all know Gothic is a Masterpiece when it comes to Fantasy RPG's. For me it's one of the Greatest games off all time. Many player love to come back into the game because of the story and the great atmosphere what this game gives us! I had a great time playing this game, i played it several times and i enjoyed it. Gameplay, story and soundtrack are just EXCELLENT! Especially the Soundtrack is more than excellent :D So i give a score of 10! Good job Piranha's!… Expand
  26. nasvit
    Feb 24, 2023
    10
    It's just a masterpiece of its time)
    I can easily say that my love. No game could have been as enjoyable as this one, and I'm a complete sucker)
  27. fojtasd
    Jan 18, 2023
    10
    One of my first RPGs I have ever played. Staying also one of the best ones I have ever played.
  28. Rotemetoot
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    I'm only in the beginning of the game...

    And at first the clunky controls can give a little frown... But the fact that this game has 5.7 gives us the ultimate truth about rpg's... I'm no elitist or fanboy, but the 5.7 this gets together with my experience with rpg games gives me the conclusion that this is truly the best rpg I have ever played... And I didn't even finish it yet. The    I'm only in the beginning of the game...

    And at first the clunky controls can give a little frown...

    But the fact that this game has 5.7 gives us the ultimate truth about rpg's...

    I'm no elitist or fanboy, but the 5.7 this gets together with my experience with rpg games gives me the conclusion that this is truly the best rpg I have ever played... And I didn't even finish it yet.

    The mysticism and soul this game has is not appreciated it seems...

    Let me put it like this...

    People that were obsessed with fantasy themes and imagination and had a heart filled with longing for occult dungeons etcetera, who also loved games like warhammmer, magic the gathering, advanced dnd...

    These people will love this game...

    People that play rpg's casually and want to feel heroic from the get go with big flashes will play the generic rpg's...

    It's 2011 and I am grateful I discovered this gem... Because I'd say, I'm a fantasy nerd in the style of advanced dnd, magic the gathering (10+ years ago, don't know how it is now.) and sitting in caves playing fantasy games all day long, forgetting about school...

    Ofcourse we are all fanboys and we all say this... But Gothic 1 is the only game that really gave me that occult feeling of mysticism some get from Lord of the Rings, etcetera...

    Unexplainable... But the 5.7 explains a lot...

    Get this game above all other video games if you are the DnD type of player...

    This game is maybe a 7.0 polish/graphic wise...
    But you will forget all of this when you are trying to decide which camp to join...

    I would also suggest playing this in 640x480.. Because it adds to the mysterious setting to play it in a cloudy resolution, in my opinion...    … Expand
  29. PaulBlack666
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The best RPG I have ever played.
    I know that this game has a very little fan base, mainly in Germany, Poland and East Europe. I've no idea how such good game is so little known around the world. Great graphics, great story, great fights, great atmosphere, GREAT SOUNDTRACK. 10/10.    … Expand
  30. siuba
    Nov 23, 2011
    10
    I just don't get people who moan over Gothic. All you can say is bugs and awkward controls. That's pathetic. Gothic represents what all RPGs should be like: gripping and original storyline with many turning points, super-charismatic characters(you have to be an idiot not to notice that) and miscellaneous gliches and secrets in every corner. Even the omnipresent bugs have become an integralI just don't get people who moan over Gothic. All you can say is bugs and awkward controls. That's pathetic. Gothic represents what all RPGs should be like: gripping and original storyline with many turning points, super-charismatic characters(you have to be an idiot not to notice that) and miscellaneous gliches and secrets in every corner. Even the omnipresent bugs have become an integral part of the gameplay, thus, along with the game, acquiring almost a cult status. What is most important - that game has an unforgettable atmosphere, beating down many other rpgs. Unfortunately, this all this cannot be appreciated by this increasing group of shallow consumers, for whom the epitomes of RPGishness are dragon age games, almost linear slashers, and mass effects - very good rpg-based shooters. The era of games which controls are not pad-orientated is gone.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best PC Game of 2001
2
#2 Most Discussed PC Game of 2001
22
#22 Most Shared PC Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Four Fat Chicks
    100
    With a novel, large and intricate set of societies, coupled with excellent graphics and sound, Gothic becomes one of the most immersive and believable single-play adventure/RPGs ever.
    Read full review
  2. ActionTrip
    88
    The 3D engine looks unbelievably good! The surroundings are impeccable, and bear a surreal and depressive atmosphere. All the objects and buildings look just as great.
    Read full review
  3. IGN
    86
    Decent graphics and a well-developed storyline. It also has a great amount of replayability, as each time through the game could yield different experiences with different choices.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »