Steam
Third game from the popular RPG series, which began in 2001 year thanks to a previously unknown studio, Piranha Bytes. It follows the story of the Nameless Hero, once again taking us to the fictional fantasy universe, which has been significantly expanded, when compared to previous titles. The game’s world consists of 3 different lands: kingdom of Myrtana, ice-covered Nordmar and desert Varant.
After the struggle for survival in the mining colony (Gothic I), the battle with orcs invading the island of Khorinis (Gothic II), and discovering that Khorinis hides much more and much older dangers than the orcs (Gothic II: Night of the Raven), the time comes for the third part of Gothic series, which takes you to the mainland. The world presented in Gothic III for PC consists of three major realms: the Varrant desert, the frozen land of Nordmar, and Myrthana set in European-like medieval atmosphere. The world is roughly four times bigger than the one offered in Gothic II with Night of the Raven add-on.
The war with orcs, which flared up in the second part of the series, came to an end - humans suffered a total defeat. All cities of Myrthana came under control of orc troops, humans were enslaved or agreed to a dishonoring work for the occupier, while king Rhobar with a handful of loyal paladins took refuge in the capital city of Vengard, covered by a magical barrier; very similar to the one that surrounded the prison colony in the first game. The protagonist, as usually accompanied by his faithful companions: Lee, Lester, Gorn, Milten, and Diego, approaches the shore of Myrthana only to engage in a fight with orcs. His further actions, however, are no longer limited in any way. He can fight for liberation of Myrthana alongside with royalists hiding in the woods, join with orcs and work for them to strengthen their position, or ally with the desert-dwelling assassins.
Just as in the previous games, the player cannot create a hero, however, character development was significantly expanded. Sword fighting was made significantly easier, as compared with the game’s predecessor, thus losing a lot of possibilities offered so far. On the other hand, you can now learn to fight with two swords. Apart from melee combat you can train your character in archery or magic.
The latter is somewhat different in Gothic II for PC. The rune magic that the protagonist was using previously, was annihilated by Xardas the necromancer, and now spells are based on ancient knowledge that the player is able to learn gradually – however, it all comes down to using standard set of spells, ranging from a fireball to rain of fire.
However, the biggest advantage of the third part of Gothic series seems to be the extensive design of the world, consisting of 20 cities and human settlements, the largest of which remind the capital city of Khorinis. A visually varied world goes hand in hand with rich flora and fauna, and the day-night cycle, which determines the behavior of all living things. About 600 missions await for the player, as well as many not-so obvious choices that are in accordance with general freedom. You can learn such crafting skills as blacksmithing, alchemy, or cooking. The biggest downside of the game is its poor technical state, which resulted in a series of patches published shortly after the release.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
Last Update: January 9, 2007
Gothic 3 Game Guide
World map, list of NPCs and quests.
Videos and Screens
[1:35] Gothic 3 intro movie US
The main pros of the game
- Immersive World: Many players appreciate the vast, beautifully crafted open world filled with diverse locations and stunning vistas.
- Nostalgia: The game is considered a classic by many, evoking strong feelings of nostalgia among long-time fans of the series.
- Community Support: Players recommend using community patches and mods to enhance the experience, suggesting that these can significantly improve gameplay.
- Music: The soundtrack is frequently praised as one of the best in the series, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
- Exploration: The opportunity to explore the world and engage with various factions is highlighted as a fun aspect of gameplay.
The main cons of the game
- Technical Issues: Users report significant problems with performance, including low frame rates, crashes, and bugs, which detract from the gaming experience.
- Subpar Story and Characters: The narrative is criticized for being weak and lacking the depth found in earlier installments. Characters are often described as flat and unengaging.
- Combat System: The combat mechanics are viewed as chaotic and unsatisfying compared to previous games in the series, leading to frustration during battles.
- Price Concerns: There is dissatisfaction regarding the game’s pricing, with players feeling it is not worth the current cost given its technical shortcomings.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Polished Gameplay: Players express a desire for better optimization and a more finished product, citing that the game feels incomplete.
- Engaging Storytelling: Many users feel that the game lacks the compelling narrative and character development present in Gothic 1 and 2.
- Atmosphere: The unique atmosphere that characterized earlier Gothic games is seen as lacking in Gothic 3, leading to a less immersive experience.
- Variety in Quests: A demand for more creative and memorable quests exists, as many players find the quest structure repetitive and uninspired.
- Improved Combat Mechanics: There is a call for a more refined and engaging combat system that aligns with the expectations set by earlier titles in the series.
Summary
- Overall, while Gothic 3 has its dedicated fans and notable strengths, it is marred by technical issues and a perceived decline in narrative quality compared to its predecessors.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 35229 votes. 3688 players anticipated the game.
8
GAMES
in Gothic Game Series
Game Series
Gothic Series
A cult series of action RPG games set in a fantastic world. The series was created by German studio Piranha Bytes but over the years other development teams have also worked on it, such as Trine Game Studios, Spellbound Entertainment and Alkimia Interactive.
8 video games
Gothic 3 Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
Developer: Piranha Bytes
Publisher: JoWooD Entertainment AG
Gothic 3 System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Pentium 4 3 GHz, 1.5 GB RAM, graphic card 256 MB (GeForce 6800 or better), 4.6 GB HDD, Windows 2000/XP
Gothic 2 Remake Also Possible; THQ Nordic on Future of the Franchise
Not only the original Gothic has a chance for a remake. Community manager of THQ Nordic mentioned that the company is also considering refreshing the second and third installment of the series.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
December 16, 2019
THQ Nordic Takes Over Piranha Bytes and its IPs
THQ Nordic bought Piranha Bytes, a team of Risen and Elex fame. At the same time, the publisher also acquired the rights to the Gothic series, i.e. the first IP of the team.
video games
Adrian Werner
May 22, 2019
Piranha Bytes is working on a new game – "Every Gothic fan should have a look at it"
The Gothic series has a cult-like following in several European countries, including Germany and Poland. Its worshippers can also be found among the hardcore RPG supporters worldwide. Is there a chance for a comeback?
video games
March 18, 2015