Decado said:
Risen was terrible. Combat was floaty,
What does this even mean? If you're going to criticize something, do it properly instead of spouting "x game was bad" over and over, like it means anything. Only skyway has ever managed to make that entertaining and you are not skyway. And even skyway can properly criticize a game if he's not raging too hard.
the two faction set-up was ridiculous,
What was ridiculous about it? The Inquisition invades the island, kicks the Don out of his town, and enforces their own laws without telling anyone what's going on with the ruins. Don Esteben is understandably pissed and starts causing trouble while the townspeople are left confused and unsure of what to do while being pushed around by the Inquisition, and the Mages try to do what they can to help them while not causing trouble. Pretty simple set-up, but then the game takes place on a small island full of monks and farmers, there isn't enough room to present a large number of factions.
Yes, I understand. Exploration can be very tedious when you have no magic quest compass and pop-up journals telling you exactly what to do, and you're required to actually look around and explore your environment.
A game with over 100 quests, many of which feature alternate solutions, C&C, double-crossing, well-designed dungeons etc, and you can't think of any good ones? Really?
The ending 1/3rd of the game was a fucking joke.
I agree, the last two chapters were indeed piss-poor compared to the game's first half, where all the content was. Thankfully, PB is aiming to improve pacing in R2.
You spend the first half of the game on rails, running errands for whichever faction you choose (which seems to be, literally, determined by WHICH ROAD YOU GO DOWN FIRST).
Yes, you do errands for them because unlike in Oblivion where you can just stroll into a guild office and sign up, the guys in Risen actually demand that you work your fucking ass off and prove your dedication and worth before they take you in. And it's also possible to say you'll help out one faction, but then go and double-cross them.
And what road you traveled down first has nothing to do with what faction you join. You can walk into the Don's camp first thing, decide you hate them, and then go to Harbour Town to earn the Mage's trust instead. You only get forced into a faction if you're a fucking dumbass who ignores all the warnings NPCs give you and try to walk through the front gates of Harbour Town, where the guards will beat you to a pulp and draft you. Hardcore C&C.
The stat/skill system was dumb.
I agree, it could have been better. It was far too easy to max out stats with potions. I liked the combat skills though, and how training them taught you new techniques to use and how to use heavier weapons.