Risen 2: Dark Waters

Release Date: April 24, 2012

RPG, TPP, fantasy, pirates, action RPG, singleplayer

81%

Steam

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A continuation to a 2009 action RPG. Risen 2: Dark Waters is the work of Piranha Bytes, a German studio that gained substantial popularity through their Gothic series. The game is set 10 years after the events of the first installment. The Nameless Hero is approached by Patty, the daughter of Steelbeard; the girl ask for help in her pursuit of a powerful artifact.

Story
Gameplay
Technology

Risen 2: Dark Waters for PC, PS3 and X360 is the second attempt to shake the RPG genre by Piranha Bytes after the German studio lost the rights to Gothic series. The game continues the themes from the first Risen and expands the ideas present in the previous installment.

Story

The story starts off ten years after the events from the first game. The nameless hero is not being spoiled be the fate, and he starts to drink more and more often. One day an old friend from the previous game finds him – Patty, a daughter of a legendary pirate Steelbeard. She came across a trail of an artifact which may serve as a weapon against ever bolder titans, and she needs a help to locate it. As it turns out, soon a perfect opportunity for that arises, when the Inquisition gives the nameless hero a task of infiltrating a pirate faction living on Puerto Sacarico island. The local colony cultivates sugar cane, and in the recent months the supplies were significantly lower than before. This simple investigation ignites an adventure in which you try to save the world from the domination of the Titans.

Gameplay

Just like the first game, Risen 2: Dark Waters for PC, PS3 and X360 is a purebred RPG. Therefore, the gameplay consists of exploring vast islands, conducting conversations, doing missions, killing monsters, and collecting treasures. Along with the progress in the campaign your hero gains experience and develops his skills. As compared with the previous game, the combat system was significantly improved. When fighting you can use both normal strikes and powerful special attacks, as well as counter attacks and combinations of all these. You may even fight hand-to-hand. For example, you may deflect the enemy blade, then punch him in the face with your fist. The combat is additionally spiced up by use of firearms and pirate-style cheap shots, e.g. using a parrot to distract enemies.

Also the virtual world is now more dynamic, and more responsive to your actions. Running around with your weapons drawn is no longer tolerated, but at the same time you can use that to intimidate NPCs. Moreover, you must not hang around other people's houses, and high officials will not let you in, if you are wearing only underpants. You get your own ship in the game, but you cannot steer it on your own. Despite that, recruiting your own crew is a significant part of the game. On the board of your ship you can find a command center and NPCs, whom you can take with you for a mission.

Technology

Risen 2: Dark Waters for PC, PS3 and X360 boasts beautiful artwork, which was significantly improved as compared with the first game. The world looks fantastic. Textures are sharp, vegetation dense, and room interiors full of small, eye-pleasing details, such as scrolls, mugs, or abacuses laying on tables. Also the level of details of character models was noticeably raised, and their animations improved.

Last updated on August 14, 2015

guide

Last Update: April 20, 2012

Risen 2: Dark Waters Game Guide

The Risen 2: Dark Waters game guide contains detailed quest walkthroughs divided by islands and portions of continents at the order at which they visited are during the course of the adventure.

Risen 2: Dark Waters Game Guide

Videos and Screens

[0:55] Risen 2: Dark Waters console release

[3:14] Risen 2: Dark Waters choices

81%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (3,147)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Unique Pirate RPG Experience: Several users highlighted that it is one of the few proper pirate RPGs available, making it stand out in a niche market.
Charm and Atmosphere: Despite its flaws, many players found the game to have a unique charm and flair, with an engaging atmosphere and story that kept them interested.
Exploration and Quests: The game offers a variety of side quests and exploration opportunities across different islands, enhancing the adventure aspect.
Humor and Storytelling: Users praised the humor and storytelling elements, which contributed to an enjoyable experience.
Character Customization: The ability to develop different skills (swordsmanship, firearms, voodoo magic) adds depth to character progression.

The main cons of the game

Combat System: The combat mechanics were frequently criticized as janky, clunky, and tedious, with many users finding it unenjoyable and poorly executed compared to other RPGs.
Bugs and Technical Issues: Numerous reviews mentioned game-breaking bugs, particularly with NPC interactions and quest progression, leading to frustrating experiences.
Graphics and Visual Quality: While some appreciated the atmosphere, many found the graphics to be below modern standards, with issues like poor textures and graphical glitches.
Difficulty Spikes: Early game difficulty was noted as particularly high, which could deter newer players.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Polished Combat Mechanics: Users expressed a desire for a more refined and engaging combat system, as the current mechanics were seen as a significant drawback.
Better Bug Fixes and Support: Many players pointed out the need for more robust bug fixes and quality assurance to enhance the overall experience.
Modern User Interface: Some reviews suggested that the user interface could be improved for better accessibility and ease of use.
More Engaging Main Quest: While side quests were praised, some users felt the main storyline lacked depth and engagement compared to the first game in the series.

Summary

Overall, while Risen 2: Dark Waters has its charms and a unique setting, it struggles with technical issues, combat mechanics, and some aspects of design that prevent it from being a standout title in the RPG genre.

Summary generated on: November 25, 2024