Risen

 PC
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 894 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 659 out of 894
  2. Mixed: 163 out of 894
  3. Negative: 72 out of 894
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  1. imbrex
    May 27, 2011
    9
    First, looks great, decisions have a large impact on the game. The combat works very well, as you upgrade skills. You'll have alot of trouble if you just button mash. The drawback of the game is that I had some very irritating bugs when I played - missing quest triggers, etc. On the whole a very fun game for RPG fans.
  2. Travie
    May 18, 2011
    9
    I just replayed this game for the 3rd time. If it wasn't for the short chapter 3 this would be a 9.5 for me. This game deserves many accolades, and I hope there are more great PB games incoming in the near future.
  3. Synplasm
    Apr 9, 2011
    9
    A challenging and very rewarding game. One of the better RPGs to appear in the last few years. If you are prepared to invest in the game you will get your money's worth and much more. Even if you are only a semi serious RPGer you should give this game a try. I doubt if you will be disappointed. I won't go into specifics, I don't need to, just believe me when I say this game is very veryA challenging and very rewarding game. One of the better RPGs to appear in the last few years. If you are prepared to invest in the game you will get your money's worth and much more. Even if you are only a semi serious RPGer you should give this game a try. I doubt if you will be disappointed. I won't go into specifics, I don't need to, just believe me when I say this game is very very immersive. Of course, if you are an instant gratification bod who wants to be walked through the game whilst playing it, simultaneously one shotting everything in your path, then I wouldn't bother.… Expand
  4. mcTwex
    Apr 8, 2011
    4
    Frankly I do not understand what the fuss is about this game: everything from go is positively frustrating: from the ridiculous jarring and frame stutter you get (specificallyon ATI HD+ cards) to the hideous character visuals (the environments are gorgeous though) and the lack of an apparent mini-map. That and the fact that it is ridiculously hard to the point of frustration = a game to beFrankly I do not understand what the fuss is about this game: everything from go is positively frustrating: from the ridiculous jarring and frame stutter you get (specificallyon ATI HD+ cards) to the hideous character visuals (the environments are gorgeous though) and the lack of an apparent mini-map. That and the fact that it is ridiculously hard to the point of frustration = a game to be avoided. Absolute trash with almost no redeeming value whatsoever.… Expand
  5. tk421storm
    Mar 25, 2011
    5
    Pros: Great environment design, interesting quest design

    Cons: annoying combat system, difficulty spikes, stilted character acting, being trapped in areas before completing objectives, generally unhelpful and difficult quest system

    TLDR: A unique world hampered by annoying combat, tedious questing and huge difficulty spikes
  6. Ramanujan
    Mar 15, 2011
    9
    I've never played any of the Gothic games so this game was a quite new experience for me. A very enjoyable and engrossing experience too. I've logged 100 hours on this game without even noticing it - it's that immersive. Potions, cooking, mining, forging, stealing, freedom to go almost anywhere from the start and a fresh (to me) approach to combat, which I had to learn fast. Any game whereI've never played any of the Gothic games so this game was a quite new experience for me. A very enjoyable and engrossing experience too. I've logged 100 hours on this game without even noticing it - it's that immersive. Potions, cooking, mining, forging, stealing, freedom to go almost anywhere from the start and a fresh (to me) approach to combat, which I had to learn fast. Any game where spamming the left click button almost guarantees you defeat in battle is a welcome change. A serious or even semi-serious RPGer should find this game well worth their time and money. I had a few very minor grahical glitches (steam version) and the end could perhaps have been better, but this game is full of entertainment and I highly recommend it, especially if the you are disillusioned with the direction of other so-called RPGs.… Expand
  7. Kiblams
    Feb 3, 2011
    4
    This game could have been very enjoyable, thought his is stunted somewhat by the awkwardness of almost every aspect of the game from combat to levelling.

    I am a huge fan of RPG games and after oblivion and Dragon Age this simply does not stand up against modern titles. One thing that I will say for Risen is that the graphics are very pretty indeed, this may be of the only feature of    This game could have been very enjoyable, thought his is stunted somewhat by the awkwardness of almost every aspect of the game from combat to levelling.

    I am a huge fan of RPG games and after oblivion and Dragon Age this simply does not stand up against modern titles.

    One thing that I will say for Risen is that the graphics are very pretty indeed, this may be of the only feature of the game which held my attention for the duration that i played it, more a desire to see more of the lush surroundings than the want to develop my character and see where the story would take me.    … Expand
  8. The_Fiend
    Dec 3, 2010
    9
    I thoroughly enjoyed this game. Great music and atmospherics. Love the AI of the NPCs (.e.g f you stand somewhere high and be a douchebag like me taking crossbow shots at random people, they don't just come up to the building butting their heads on the wall, but actually climb up to come and get you lol). I think a good combination of a bit of hack and slash with solid rpg. BIG THUMBS UP!
  9. Camman0908
    Nov 18, 2010
    1
    Very lack luster game. with no quest log to give you guidance, you are merely wandering around half the game. You are very vulnerable to EVERYTHING! Rats will make you scream at the low levels. Could have been so much more. Really wish the developers had taken more time to CARE about what they were making. Story is bland and unentertaining. Don't waste your money on this when you could buyVery lack luster game. with no quest log to give you guidance, you are merely wandering around half the game. You are very vulnerable to EVERYTHING! Rats will make you scream at the low levels. Could have been so much more. Really wish the developers had taken more time to CARE about what they were making. Story is bland and unentertaining. Don't waste your money on this when you could buy Oblivion or Mass Effect for a much better story AND a better game. Again, stay away from this, its a horrid release and does not deserve your money.… Expand
  10. Levethian
    Nov 15, 2010
    10
    Actually I like this game now -- It's almost as compelling as Gothic 2.
    Can Metacritic delete 'AndyG's' review, given that he's me, and that I've changed my opinion?..
  11. CaptainChaos
    Oct 3, 2010
    10
    I base this rating on pure fun value. This is hands down the best combat system ever in any RPG anywhere; it is extraordinarily challenging without being gimmicky. No matter how strong you are, if you get lazy, a pack of wolves will eat you b/c they will use good AI and surround you so that one distracts you while another eats you. Progress is slow but steady and you can design theI base this rating on pure fun value. This is hands down the best combat system ever in any RPG anywhere; it is extraordinarily challenging without being gimmicky. No matter how strong you are, if you get lazy, a pack of wolves will eat you b/c they will use good AI and surround you so that one distracts you while another eats you. Progress is slow but steady and you can design the character you want. With perseverance, luck and skill, you *might* beat something relatively much stronger than you and then reap your xp and treasure rewards out of proportion to your level which is my favorite thing about well designed RPGs as they reward courage and creativity. But mostly likely you will be reloading a lot! (as you should). And don't even think about the toughest creatures until you are truly advanced.

    The graphics while a bit dated but beautiful render cilnky skeletons and icky giant moths; even the wolves have menacing yellow eyes and sping tingling growls. And the real star is the gorgeous FarCry-esque seascapes, with hidden paths and easter eggs everywhere. Even after 25 hours I still was surprised to suddenly realize an area I knew really well, actually bent back across the mountain to something else I knew... speaking of which, the map design is brilliant. There are shortcuts all over but you won't be able to use them until you are powerful enough to be where you should be because the monsters guarding them are either very tough or numerous - so it's not gimmicky at all, just well thought out and immersive. Honestly, I should rate this game a 9 b/c the combat was a bit tricky in the beginning and the quest system definitely needs a lot more help in figuring out, both of which sent me to the walkthroughs more than once. But if you don't mind doing that once in a while this game is a 10. Otherwise, it's still a 9.    … Expand
  12. OveM.
    Jan 26, 2010
    3
    This game could have been so much better. The RPG elements are very well implemented and the fighting is cool. BUT i the quests are almost impossible to do since there is NO quest tracking system. Thats why i uninstalled the game after a while.... i couldn't manage to do the quests... I mostly ran around wondering what to do next.
  13. chantaraSinghSen
    Jan 21, 2010
    8
    Everything are great but it very short after defeat the Titan the game end very disapionted it should be continues like go to the mainland or something interesting and never end.
  14. AndyG.
    Jan 14, 2010
    5
    Started fine, but very soon became apparent that I'd played it before. Piranha Byte's brand of RPG will die like 'Might and Magic' for its chronic inability to advance, improve or develop their creation. At least Bethesda take some risks to build on what they have.
  15. HubertM
    Jan 2, 2010
    6
    I'm a great Gothic fan(real gothic: 1,2 and Night of the Raven) that's why I suffered really much when Piranha made IMHO very crappy G3. So I was looking forward Risen, hoping they would correct previous mistakes. And at the beginning I really enjoyed it - good optymalisation, nice graphics models, interesting plot. But it soon turned out that gameplay is dull, side quests I'm a great Gothic fan(real gothic: 1,2 and Night of the Raven) that's why I suffered really much when Piranha made IMHO very crappy G3. So I was looking forward Risen, hoping they would correct previous mistakes. And at the beginning I really enjoyed it - good optymalisation, nice graphics models, interesting plot. But it soon turned out that gameplay is dull, side quests almost don't exist, the map is huge however, there's nothing interesting to see except hordes of boring mobs. Main quests were all about annihilating more and more mobs to get milion pieces of very powerful artifact, and later another and another. But during my whole 'adventure' with Risen it didn't really bother me, because I was waiting for some development of plot when suddenly...the game ended. I was laughing whole day because I think it took me the same time I would need to get to the 3rd chapter of G2 for example. For me - better than G3, but still average.… Expand
  16. [anonymous]
    Dec 23, 2009
    10
    The Risen is great game. When you play you feel magic.If yo played Gothic and you like it Risen is game for you.It is in my opinion the best RPG in this year!!!
  17. MikaelO
    Dec 6, 2009
    8
    A solid RPG, with a lot of atmosphere. The combat system is at times not so responsive as one might wish for, in a game that requires you to master your keyboard in order to just survive. The upside of that is of course the good old Gothic feel. This game is difficult. The enemies are really dangerous, and your skill and your character's, will determine the outcome of combat. For A solid RPG, with a lot of atmosphere. The combat system is at times not so responsive as one might wish for, in a game that requires you to master your keyboard in order to just survive. The upside of that is of course the good old Gothic feel. This game is difficult. The enemies are really dangerous, and your skill and your character's, will determine the outcome of combat. For some, this will be a let down, but for the rest of us, it heightens the feeling of accomplishment. As with any quest-based RPG, there are some glitches with the quests, but all-in-all I feel that it works out very nicely. A negative point is the horribly stereotype view of women, but to be perfectly fair, most role playing games on PC tend to be massively sexist.… Expand
  18. KevR
    Nov 29, 2009
    9
    This game is a gem of role-playing games. It is not perfect and let me tell you, if you are not up to the challenge this game will annihilate you. It features a beautiful, detailed and living world (except on the 360) and the best combat system ever made for a role-playing game. One that actually requires skill and where every fight is a challenge. The game's main flaw is its This game is a gem of role-playing games. It is not perfect and let me tell you, if you are not up to the challenge this game will annihilate you. It features a beautiful, detailed and living world (except on the 360) and the best combat system ever made for a role-playing game. One that actually requires skill and where every fight is a challenge. The game's main flaw is its chapters. While the 1st and 3rd chapter are insanely well made and I literally finished them without exiting the game, I was disappointed that the 2nd and 4th chapter could not quite keep up with the other two. The game is probably the best RPG to come out since Gothic 2 and KotoR and definitely worth getting. And with an add-on to make up for the weaker chapters and a few flaws (which are so small I cannot recall them atm) may even be the best RPG ever made.… Expand
  19. JamesG
    Nov 27, 2009
    9
    Great character voice acting, good storyline and progression of hero from fighter to battle mage. They avoided a lot of the annoying aspects of similar games (unlimited weight carrying, fireballs don't kill friends, no limitations based on good/evil alignment, etc).. Beautiful environment with sunrises, birds, rain, nice water effects. Lots of weapons, but not too complicated. Simple Great character voice acting, good storyline and progression of hero from fighter to battle mage. They avoided a lot of the annoying aspects of similar games (unlimited weight carrying, fireballs don't kill friends, no limitations based on good/evil alignment, etc).. Beautiful environment with sunrises, birds, rain, nice water effects. Lots of weapons, but not too complicated. Simple approach to magic that works well. Great game!… Expand
  20. JohnW
    Nov 25, 2009
    5
    A lot of glitches. Poor battle system. Poor maps. Not worth the price at all.
  21. phanj
    Nov 22, 2009
    6
    I tried to and really want to like this game. I just can't stand the combat, which is very frustrating. Your opponent gets guaranteed hits, but the reflex-based combat system implies that your mouse clicking skills will suffice. So the combat tries to be action-rpg because your coordination with the mouse is important and not so much your player's stats (as opposed to DA:O where I tried to and really want to like this game. I just can't stand the combat, which is very frustrating. Your opponent gets guaranteed hits, but the reflex-based combat system implies that your mouse clicking skills will suffice. So the combat tries to be action-rpg because your coordination with the mouse is important and not so much your player's stats (as opposed to DA:O where 'stats' are everything). Even the simplest creatures seem to have more HP than you do and will take many hits to kill. Also the world is chock full of hostiles at every turn, just amplifying how frustrating the game can get when each fight seems rigged to be unfair. When you engage a hostile, you can't defend and attack (mele) at the same time, so you MUST release the shield and strike. And in this 1/20th of a second window where you release your shield and click to attack, your opponent gets a random chance at a guaranteed hit and you are forced to quaff a heal pot (which are hard to find early on). You can NOT hold the shield up and hit with the weapon at the same time. Other people who seem to have not noticed that the combat is unfair say it's fine, but they just haven't noticed the game is cheating in combat. Also the game forces you to do menial tasks to progress in the game like farm a farmer's field. Things like this serve the story, but absolutely are not fun to do. So from that perspective story is primary in this game, and RPG elements secondary. It's an adventure game with RPG elements, but as far as game progression, you must do many of the quests. What I like about the game is that the world is indeed as PB says, detail rich. The world is immersive. Everything is skillfully made. Time of day is very well done. I wish I could stand this game more so that I could see more of what it has to offer, because the scenery is very nice. I've also heard there are some big dungeons to explore and I'd love to see those. Oh well.… Expand
  22. JeffA
    Nov 15, 2009
    5
    Blah dialog, blah combat, blah voice acting and character animations. Blah enemies, very very dull all around. Try gothic II or oblivion, this game is lame.
  23. AlexV
    Nov 12, 2009
    9
    Great rpg, Doesn't seem that great at first but beyond that it becomes excellent. Challenging (which some people may not like) but gives you a real sense of achievement when you finally off a tough beast or solve a major quest. It's free-roaming, has tons of interesting quests, and once you get used to the controls you'll find them natural. Only thing wrong I found is the Great rpg, Doesn't seem that great at first but beyond that it becomes excellent. Challenging (which some people may not like) but gives you a real sense of achievement when you finally off a tough beast or solve a major quest. It's free-roaming, has tons of interesting quests, and once you get used to the controls you'll find them natural. Only thing wrong I found is the combat controls for optimum combat are set too fast for me (but I'm useless at beat-em ups etc). Didn't really matter though since you can still have very fun and tactical combat without them (it's not that big a deal). Overall a fantastic game.… Expand
  24. lizard
    Nov 7, 2009
    9
    I've not played any of the gothic games but I'm finding this to be a solid and enjoyable RPG. There are a few minor technical issues and I've experienced a couple of annoying CTD's but this hasn't affected my enjoyment of the game too badly, I also feel that performance could be a little bit better. The graphics and world design are superb, despite the reletively I've not played any of the gothic games but I'm finding this to be a solid and enjoyable RPG. There are a few minor technical issues and I've experienced a couple of annoying CTD's but this hasn't affected my enjoyment of the game too badly, I also feel that performance could be a little bit better. The graphics and world design are superb, despite the reletively small size of the island and limited number of major settlements there is still a great deal to discover in this game. The AI is of a reasonable standard and I find combat quite enjoyable, one thing that is a little annoying is the fact that NPC's etc. aren't drawn until reletively close to the player character and the fade in is quite noticeable. Voice acting on the whole is pretty reasonable and the story itself is quite interesting . There's a wide range of different quests and a good amount of different skills that your character can learn ranging from cooking to smithing weapons. Overall I'm really impressed with this game even though it has a few irritating technical issues, one of the better games to appear on the PC this year.… Expand
  25. JubalH
    Oct 30, 2009
    0
    The game is very good, but the DRM is unacceptable, only 3 activations is an absurd. The support for revalidation at deep silver ignores you. Don't buy and don't loose your money.
  26. YuriU
    Oct 28, 2009
    10
    There isn't anything I disliked about the game. Combat system is challenging, and I like that. I have to actually think and know how to move, when to block, when to hit. I like the fact that with enough experience in combat you can defeat monsters that are a lot stronger than you. Alchemy is nice - picking all those plants, looking for special ones in hidden places. This isn't There isn't anything I disliked about the game. Combat system is challenging, and I like that. I have to actually think and know how to move, when to block, when to hit. I like the fact that with enough experience in combat you can defeat monsters that are a lot stronger than you. Alchemy is nice - picking all those plants, looking for special ones in hidden places. This isn't something optional if you want to make your character considerably tougher. RP setting is great - I liked Don's Camp a lot, with the bad, tough guys. How they try to frame inquisition as the *real* bad ones, and how it turns out, when you meet them, to be quite nice guys. Sights are great - ocean, forests, sky - are very beautiful. Music is very, very nice. Miscellaneous: Climbing rocks and trying to get to previously unreachable places using Acrobatics skill is cool; girls are pretty.… Expand
  27. SeanF
    Oct 27, 2009
    10
    Let me start this review by saying that I've never played any of the Gothic games. Or Oblivion. Or pretty much any RPG that has been released (for PC or consoles) in the last 8-or-so years. I lost interest in gaming a long while back, after a marriage, kids and work took up all of my time. I bought a new computer last week, and figured I'd take a look on Metacritic and see which Let me start this review by saying that I've never played any of the Gothic games. Or Oblivion. Or pretty much any RPG that has been released (for PC or consoles) in the last 8-or-so years. I lost interest in gaming a long while back, after a marriage, kids and work took up all of my time. I bought a new computer last week, and figured I'd take a look on Metacritic and see which RPGs were well-received -- I used to love the genre, and have played many of the classics (Wizardry series up to 7, Ultima Underworld, Betrayal at Krondor, etc.) and figured that I'd pick up a title to play for an hour or two in the evenings before bed. After considering a few, I decided on Risen and purchased it from an online retailer. I had no idea what I was in for! I have scarcely done anything but sit in my computer chair, jaw gaping for the last 4 days. This game is just incredible... the world is so fully realized it's almost shocking. People go about their daily lives, the days and nights cycle and weather changes, the world has very lived-in feel and a real sense of history. It is so easy to get lost in it, especially due to all of the distractions that the game offers you: collecting animal trophies, crafting swords and jewelery, mining... the list goes on and on. Should you decide to focus on the main quest line, the plot is gripping and voice acting accomplished. The game has a sense of moral ambiguity throughout that's very mature and thoughtful. There is no right and wrong side -- you are left only with your own morals and instincts to decide your friends and foes. Also, characters are multi-dimensional and not always as they appear... you will often serve as a tool for someone else's ulterior motives unless you're wise enough to catch on and refuse. I am, perhaps, not the best judge of graphics since I've been out of the loop for a while, but i'd argue that Risen is indisputably gorgeous. Beams of rust-orange light poke through the swaying trees at sunset, water flows convincingly around rocks and down falls, nights are inky blackness, broken only by your torch, which casts realistic shadows from everything around you. Just wow. Don't let yourself miss this game, it is really truly a classic and has single-handedly rejuvenated my interest in video games.… Expand
  28. Poloman
    Oct 24, 2009
    8
    Best single player RPG I've played in a very long time. I don't have anything else recently released to compare it to, but I enjoyed it more than Elder Scrolls - Oblivion or Fallout 3.
  29. AndyB
    Oct 24, 2009
    9
    Very good game indeed. Great graphics, combat, VO, world to explore. Quests in chapter one are fantastic, not quite so good in later game, just rather linear. Still fun because of combat system, which feels clumsy at first because your char is crap at fighting, with effort and skill increases becomes more and more fluid. Character system is okay, not the best, but sufficient. Definitely Very good game indeed. Great graphics, combat, VO, world to explore. Quests in chapter one are fantastic, not quite so good in later game, just rather linear. Still fun because of combat system, which feels clumsy at first because your char is crap at fighting, with effort and skill increases becomes more and more fluid. Character system is okay, not the best, but sufficient. Definitely the most fun I've had in a game all year, hope it sells well.… Expand
  30. TomE
    Oct 21, 2009
    10
    This is the game that Gothic 3 should have been. Game play is interesting and thought provoking. The graphics are beautiful. Game play and the story line flows nicely, and can be played leisurely. If you like Gothic 3, even in its broken state, or liked Oblivion or The Witcher, you will love Risen.
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Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Best PC Game of 2009
19
#19 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
21
#21 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Meristation
    80
    Fun, large and with many things to do, Risen is a good game for medieval RPG lovers. It has its flaws, specially due to technical issues, but overall it's a great experience, where every choice has its consequences. The great storyline and the different paths that we can follow are the strongest points of this game.
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  2. SpazioGames
    80
    While Gothic sails away to other developers, Piranha Bytes turns the tide with this return to the origins of true RPG. Deep, polished, compelling, Risen is an RPG for RPG true lovers. Some small glitches and a general lack of accessibility make it step down a little bit on the score, but it's still THE game to have if you love RPGs.
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  3. Everyeye.it
    80
    An old-fashion RPG, with an impressive number of quests and NPC, and a deep level-up system.
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