Risen 2: Dark Waters Reviews

8/10

Risen 2: Dark Waters is a bold entry in the action RPG genre that takes players on a swashbuckling adventure through a richly detailed pirate-infused world. Developed by Piranha Bytes, the game builds upon the foundation of its predecessor while introducing a vibrant, tropical setting and a heavier emphasis on naval exploration and combat. For fans of immersive role-playing with a flair for exploration and choice-driven narratives, Risen 2 offers a distinctive experience that blends traditional RPG mechanics with a unique pirate atmosphere. Set in a sprawling archipelago, the game casts players as the nameless hero navigating a world teetering between magic, superstition, and colonial ambition. The narrative is driven by a quest to confront a supernatural threat involving the mysterious Titans, while factions ranging from native tribes to mercenaries and pirates vie for power and influence. This multi-faction dynamic enriches the story with meaningful choices and consequences, allowing players to forge alliances, betray rivals, or carve out an independent path. The writing carries a gritty, often sardonic tone, complemented by well-voiced characters and occasional humor that breaks up the darker themes. Gameplay in Risen 2 combines traditional RPG elements with a focus on exploration and combat. The open world encourages players to roam freely, uncover hidden quests, and interact with a wide variety of NPCs. Combat is a mix of real-time melee, ranged weaponry, and magic, offering different playstyles that cater to both brawlers and spellcasters. However, the combat system, while functional, can feel somewhat clunky or repetitive, especially in the early stages. It requires timing and patience, but occasional issues with hit detection and enemy AI may detract from the flow of battles. Despite this, the variety of weapons, spells, and abilities provides enough options to keep combat interesting. One of the most distinctive aspects of Risen 2 is its focus on pirate life and naval adventures. Players can sail between islands, engage in ship battles, and explore dangerous waters filled with sea monsters and enemy vessels. These sequences add a refreshing layer of depth and excitement, breaking up the usual land-based exploration and injecting moments of high tension and strategy. The sailing mechanics, though not overly complex, are accessible and fun, with the threat of storms and unpredictable encounters keeping the experience dynamic. The game’s world design is richly atmospheric, with lush tropical islands, hidden caves, bustling pirate settlements, and mysterious temples. The environmental detail and varied locations encourage curiosity and reward exploration. From dense jungles to sandy beaches and eerie swamplands, each area feels distinct and alive, populated by diverse creatures and inhabitants. The sound design complements this immersion, with ambient jungle noises, creaking ships, and a fittingly adventurous soundtrack that reinforces the setting’s tone. Despite its many strengths, Risen 2 is not without flaws. Technical issues such as occasional bugs, uneven animations, and somewhat dated graphics can occasionally pull players out of the experience. The user interface and inventory management feel clunky at times, which may frustrate players used to more streamlined RPGs. Additionally, some quests rely heavily on backtracking or tedious fetch objectives, which can slow pacing and reduce engagement during longer play sessions. Nevertheless, Risen 2: Dark Waters shines through its compelling setting, engaging story, and freedom of choice. The game’s willingness to embrace its pirate theme fully, combined with a sprawling world to explore and meaningful faction dynamics, creates an experience that feels fresh within the RPG landscape. While the combat and technical aspects may require some patience, the depth of its world-building and the charm of its characters offer a rewarding adventure for those willing to dive in. In conclusion, Risen 2: Dark Waters stands as a unique and ambitious RPG that delivers a swashbuckling journey filled with magic, danger, and intrigue. Its blend of pirate-themed exploration, faction-based storytelling, and open-world freedom makes it a memorable title for players who enjoy narrative depth and atmospheric settings. Though it may stumble in certain gameplay and technical areas, its strengths more than compensate, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of action RPGs looking to set sail on a distinctive adventure. Rating: 8/10

Ok so I picked this back up after taking a break, basically to only play kcd2. I've now come back to it and it's an interesting rpg. The combat has me so bored tho . But other parts of this game, like the world design, quest givers, characters, writing, pacing, writing, feel like something we find in good modern games still today. The way npcs 'If they see you', will follow you and attack you for entering their house. The dialog is entertaining and sometimes funny to listen to. Anyways that's all I'd wanted to say for now. If you want a pirate rpg it's pretty good.

Best of the trilogy in my opinion, play the first, then this one, then stop. The third is clunky, it has bad story and the tutorials and dialogues makes me feel like a freshly spawned toddler.

Made it near the end of [spoiler]Maracai Bay[/spoiler] after 53 hours played just to have the quest system break and make it impossible to continue