Gothic II: Gold Edition Reviews

second best game after gothic 1

NAJLEPSZA polska gra!!! Der Hexer przy tym to totalne gówno.

Everybody has the game that opened gaming world for them. Back in the year 2007 it was mine

Horrible mess Enemies are totally overpowered, weapons are next to useless, armor is a bad joke, combat controls are often failing. Sure, in an RPG, you have to improve your skills, but here it is where it gets really bad. I learned it the very hard way, as I tried different skills. As soon as powerful attacks were mastered, it became nearly impossible to beat the new enemies, and I did not find enough of the easier enemies to advance further. So the game ended uncompleted. The first hours of "gameplay" consisted mainly in luring away a single enemy from his group, then trying to kill him separately, then going back to bed to sleep, then going back to the same group of enemies, repeating the whole luring procedure until the last enemy is killed, and then go to the next group of enemies. That took nearly all of the "game" time. The next most time consuming thing was save game / load game. There also seems to be some kind of a "story" in it, but you eventually won't take any notice of it, if you are constantly saving and loading. Anyway, this "story" just seems to be awfully bad. And you won't get the whole story if you have to end the game uncompleted.

Combat is so bad its laughable. Voice acting is out of this world. Story is ok. Most of what you do in the 1st 6-10 hours is find out where you CANT go. So many bad dev choices. Pig slop through and though.

Old, rough, and completely brilliant. You will get murdered by a rat and thank it.

Piranha Bytes delivers an action RPG that nearly hits the mark. "Gothic II" continues the story of the nameless hero from the first game, picking up two weeks after the defeat of the Sleeper. The hero must now acquire the Eye of Innos to combat new threats, including dragons. “As in the classic Ultima games, NPCs have their own independent daily schedules. A character might saunter to work, take a smoke break, and then grab a pint at the pub before heading home to slumber. Characters also respond to your actions, so your alter-ego will be knocked on his duff if he’s seen looting possessions or wandering into locations uninvited. Aside from just making the world more immersive, the dynamic AI directly enhances gameplay. For instance, you can circumvent dangerous creatures by luring them to some beefy guards, or distract scavengers by creating more tempting carnage.” The Good: Improved World Design: The game features a more varied and engaging world compared to G1, with hidden areas and a richer environment. More Sidequests: There are significantly more sidequests, enhancing exploration and engagement. Visuals: The art direction is stellar, and the D3D11 renderer makes the game visually appealing. Story Continuity: The game ties well into G1, providing satisfying connections to previous characters and events. Seamless Expansion: The integration of the NOTR expansion feels natural and well-executed. The Bad: Voice Acting: While the English voice acting is passable, the increased volume reveals some cracks in quality. Sidequest Quality: Many sidequests are flat and uninteresting, lacking depth and engagement. Combat System: Combat remains clunky and uninteresting, especially for ranged builds. Movement and positioning feel awkward, and the combat lacks depth. Bow Mechanics: Arrows have inconsistent hit detection, often hitting terrain or the wrong targets, leading to frustrating encounters. Flat Damage Model: The combat system incentivizes focusing solely on damage, limiting build diversity and exploration. Limited Map Functionality: The paper map lacks useful features like objective tracking and custom markers, making navigation cumbersome. Loot and Gating: Most valuable items are found in shops, leading to a lack of excitement in exploration. Quest Log Issues: The quest log is sparse on details and doesn’t update well, making it hard to track progress. Critical Hits: The mechanics behind critical hits are unclear and inconsistent, leading to frustrating encounters. Troll Immunity: The decision to make trolls immune to arrows feels illogical and frustrating. Grindiness: The need to grind for levels due to the simplistic combat system detracts from the overall experience. LP Cost Calculations: The leveling system discourages using potions early, leading to a frustrating progression curve. Final Thoughts: While "Gothic 2" has its strengths, it also has significant flaws that hinder the experience. The game could benefit from reducing grind, improving the quest log and map, and refining the combat system. With a few key tweaks, it could have been a much more enjoyable experience. Overall, I found myself looking back at "Gothic 1" more fondly, as it had a stronger initial premise and worldbuilding. There's potential in "Gothic 2," but it falls short of being a truly great game.

Great RPG game. Just be patient in the start. Talk to the people in the town, farm some XP. Level up and then venture out. The game is really fun and rewarding once you get a little strong.

Gothic has a soul, just strictly an oldschool, and you can remaster it through the steam workshop.

Gothic II: Gold Classic, developed by Piranha Bytes and released in 2005 (bundling the original 2002 Gothic II with its Night of the Raven expansion), remains one of the most enduring and underappreciated gems of the action RPG genre. This edition consolidates the definitive version of the Gothic experience, presenting players with a challenging, immersive, and richly atmospheric world that remains influential and revered by dedicated fans to this day. Set in the rugged medieval land of Khorinis, Gothic II picks up shortly after the events of the first game. Players reprise the role of the Nameless Hero, a hardened survivor of the magical prison colony known as the Valley of Mines. The storyline in Gold Classic gains tremendous depth with the inclusion of Night of the Raven, seamlessly integrating the pirate-infested region of Jharkendar into the main plot and enhancing the lore with a darker, more ancient dimension. The expansion introduces new factions, quests, and magical artifacts, expanding both the scale and intricacy of the world without compromising its tightly woven narrative and environmental design. One of the game’s standout features is its commitment to world-building through both storytelling and systemic design. Every NPC in Khorinis has a daily routine, creating a living, breathing world that responds to the player’s actions. Townsfolk discuss local events, guards enforce laws, and wild animals respect territory—making exploration feel dynamic and grounded. The faction-based progression system (choosing between the Paladins, Mercenaries, or Fire Mages) provides both narrative and mechanical depth, affecting dialogue, quest availability, and even combat style. The inclusion of Night of the Raven further complicates this by introducing the Water Mages, whose motivations add political and philosophical intrigue to an already layered plot. Gameplay-wise, Gothic II is infamous for its punishing difficulty curve, particularly in the early hours. Combat is unrelentingly tough, requiring timing, spatial awareness, and preparation rather than reflex-driven action. The initially awkward control scheme (especially with mouse and keyboard) can be a major barrier for newcomers, though it reveals a surprising depth once mastered. Unlike many modern RPGs, Gothic II does not hold the player’s hand. There are no level-scaled enemies, meaning a wrong turn can pit the hero against foes far beyond his capability. This design fosters a genuine sense of danger and accomplishment as players slowly earn their place in a hostile world. The risk is always palpable—and so is the reward. Visually, while dated by modern standards, Gothic II: Gold Classic carries a rugged charm. The world of Khorinis is beautifully crafted, with sunlit forests, craggy cliffs, and weather-worn towns that feel handmade rather than procedurally generated. The atmospheric sound design—ranging from the brooding orchestral score to the ambient chatter of townspeople—heightens immersion. Voice acting is a mixed bag, with a blend of earnest and stiff performances, but it ultimately adds to the game’s unique European flavor. The game’s art direction and environmental storytelling compensate for its technical limitations, creating an aesthetic that is gritty, immersive, and emotionally resonant. What truly sets Gothic II: Gold Classic apart is its uncompromising design philosophy. It treats the player with a rare kind of respect, expecting them to learn, adapt, and immerse themselves without shortcuts or simplifications. Every victory feels earned, every quest carries weight, and every faction choice comes with real consequences. Its open-world design predates many of the tropes that would later dominate the genre, offering nonlinear quest resolution, complex NPC interactions, and an economy where every coin matters. However, the game is not without its flaws. The UI is clunky, inventory management can be a chore, and bugs—while mostly patched—can still crop up occasionally. Additionally, the difficulty and lack of handholding can be alienating for players used to modern conveniences like quest markers and auto-saving. But for those willing to embrace its old-school sensibilities, Gothic II: Gold Classic offers a rich and unforgettable role-playing experience that few games can rival even today. In conclusion, Gothic II: Gold Classic is a masterclass in immersive RPG design, one that rewards patience, curiosity, and commitment. It’s a game with heart, ambition, and a defiantly old-school soul. For fans of deep role-playing mechanics, meaningful choices, and a truly alive game world, this classic remains an essential and timeless experience. Whether you're revisiting Khorinis or stepping into its treacherous wilds for the first time, Gothic II: Gold Classic remains a towering achievement in the RPG canon. Rating: 9/10