jay on 20/1/2011 at 03:18

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Howdy. I am looking for a new RPG and wanted to solicit some opinions on some of the recent/upcoming Western RPGs and really can't think of an online community whose collective opinion I respect more that this one. I'm thinking about Risen, Arcania: Gothic 4, Two Worlds 2 and Divinity 2: DKS. I know that the last two haven't released in the US yet, but thought that some of the folks from the other side of the pond may have some insight on them.

Which of these would people recommend? How do they stack up against eachother and/or some of the big name Western RPGs (i.e. Elder Scrolls). Finally, are there any notable recents that I didn't mention that folks have really enjoyed?

Oh, and it may be sacreligious on these particular boards, but I'm hoping to play on 360 rather than PC.

thanks in advance,

Jay

Pemptus on 20/1/2011 at 09:41

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Not really sacrilegious (ok, maybe a bit), but unfortunate, since all of these games have vastly superior PC versions. Control issues, mostly. Arcania is the one that would play best on a console, but it's also the weakest of the lot as a game.

I'd say skip all of them unless you get them for the PC. Then we'll talk. :P

Edit: I'll just summarize my experiences with each game for the post not to sound like the ramblings of a pc elitist:

Risen - tons of fun, enjoyable combat once you get used to the controls, some clunky mechanics, but nothing major, kinda runs out of steam near the end, but until then - many, many hours of pure bliss and questing and boar-smashing. Just be prepared to die a lot in the beginning while getting used to it. It doesn't hold your hand much, which is good imo.

Divinity 2: DKS - Surprisingly awesome. Starts off slow, give it an hour or so. Some weird pacing here and there, clunky inventory system and, again, some clunky mechanics. Mostly good British voice acting, and plenty of humour. Not your everyday grimdark rpg, which is refreshing. Interesting quests, engaging combat.

Two Worlds 2 - Starts off pretty great, but it soon becomes evident that the loudly advertised crafting system is shallow and cumbersome and the huge world is pretty featureless. But I didn't make it out of the Savannah, so maybe it gets better, I don't know.

Gothic 4 Arcania - Ugh. I only lasted a couple of hours on this one. Horrible voice acting, easy to the point of being casual, and dumbed down to oblivion. As a fan of the previous Gothics I feel betrayed. Betrayed I say! Hmph!