Arcania: Gothic 4 Preview

One more preview for Arcania: Gothic 4 from NowGamer, written by a guy who thinks the greatest RPGs ever are Dragon Age and Oblivion.
If you're looking for evidence of exactly how profoundly Mass Effect has changed the role-playing market, you need only cast a glance over this achingly old-school alternative. From skill tracks that award more impressive special attacks as they're built upon to a borderline obsessive concentration on dramatic camera angles and intricate facial detail, the hallmarks of BioWare's work can be seen even in the realm of orcs, potions and dense forestation.

Predictably enough, though, that is where the similarity ends. Surprisingly enough, Arcania: Gothic 4 tells the tale of a mystery nobody, attempting to make his way through a world now ruled by the player's hero last time out. Possessed by a demon, there's yet again a threat to the people, meaning our hero must prepare himself with a tutorial quest to collect a ring for his wife-to-be. A more classic tale there isn't.