Risen Reviews

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Written by BuckGB on October 7th, 2009

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All in all, this is a meaty game. The game world is large and there are lots of tasks to complete. There are many skills to learn, and you can really develop your character. Hardcore RPG players might find some pleasure in this. However, more discriminating gamers would do well to steer clear. This is not user friendly; but it is (though we can only speak for the Xbox 360 version) clumsy, with laughable dramatic scenes and pythonesque combat. We have decided that we'll wait for Fable 3.

Only the truly dedicated RPG player will persist through to the bitter end of Risen, as there's a great deal of perseverance required to even make it through the first section without tearing your hair out. The combat really lets the side down and the 360 visuals leave a lot to be desired, but stick with it and Risen will eventually suck you inexorably into its uniquely absorbing fantasy world.

Combine the problematic menus with frustrating combat that can feel unfair due to its issues, visuals that are more or less like a relic from fifteen years ago and result in your initial island exploits on Faranga feeling distinctly unappealing. But get past all that and spend just a little time on the island, as chatting with the locals and gaining knowledge of your surroundings is a fascinating prospect and after doing so, some people will forget about such design deficiencies, which doesn't, of course, make such shoddy work acceptable, but it does soften the blow somewhat. Partnered with all the levelling up and loot collecting, Risen is an absorbing and substantial game, but, due to its problems, is also little more than an average one. Sadly, such issues conceal what so easily could have been an excellent adventure that could have (risen) to the majestic levels of Oblivion.

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