Risen 2 is as coarsely put together as the pirates it references throughout. Dig around and there’s real gold to be found in the hours of game-time it offers, but the sheer hard work required to unearth them will be too much for all but the truly dedicated RPG plunderer.

A pirate’s life for ye? That depends on your tolerance for working for your treasure.

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Coming to the point, I found Risen 2: Dark Waters to be a satisfying game to play, but with far too many flaws in it to climb to the rooftops and shout its praises. It was nice to see my character finally flesh out and become what I wanted him to be, but it shouldn’t have been such a struggle along the way. The too simple for too long combat, the occasional plain plot point (including a moment where the main quest disappeared completely from my logbook), or even the lazily animated way how your character pulls chests RIGHT OUT OF THE PACKED SOIL as though he were effortlessly extracting a rhythmic gymnastics ribbon right from his backside during treasure hunting quests, among other problems all contribute to the dulled shine of Risen 2, making what could have been great fun, an at most enjoyable, if mixed experience.

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Risen 2: Dark Waters is the kind of game where you almost don’t need to complete it to get your money’s worth. The story is unimportant and the telling so loose that no real investment is ever made. It’s simply a portal to a pirate world where you can slash some beasties and experiment with questionable AI. It’s all Piranha Bytes has ever done and, sadly, probably all they will ever do.

If you can lower your expectations, Risen 2 is a bit of harmless RPG fun. Slapping about in the shallow pool can be enjoyable, if you’re in the mood.

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But stilted presentation, muted visuals (I refer back to awkward character gestures), muddy textures, and over-used combat dialogue combined with a combat system that just isn’t remarkable in any way, shape or form doesn’t exactly an epic pirate adventure make. There was much that could have been accomplished here, and at times you catch a small glimpse of greatness. With a bit more polish and care, Risen 2: Dark Waters could have knocked it out of the park. Opt for other RPGs that arrrrren’t as underwhelming.

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