Risen, anyone else interested?

Q-BZ, I'm on Chapter Two right now, and your comments about Chapters 3 and 4 are a little disconcerting.

You seem to have had such a tremendous experience with the first two chapters that you're willing to overlook how short chapters 3 and 4 are (after all, a chapter is only something that's in our head - I suppose the game proper takes place in the first two chapters, and should be thought of that way).

Now that I know what to expect maybe it won't bother me.

Right now, I'm having such a great time with this RPG that I'm deliberately trying to keep my mouth shut about it, lest I make a fool of myself gushing about the thing... I damned well spent ten hours playing on Sunday, and even cancelled dinner at my sister's house (I had to tell a fib to get out of it... "... I'm not feeling well." I was feeling fine. Euphoric, actually.)

Don't get me wrong. You can always come and go as you please in all 4 chapters. I'm speaking strictly about main storyline.

And you are right about the chapters. They really don't make any difference at all so I hope I didn't overstate the matter.

Bottom line: Maximum freedom 100 percent of the time, all the way from start to finish. :)


Well, I don't know what's going on, because now in Chapter Two, I'm out in the world, and the game is running flawlessly maxed out at 1920x1080 - it's stable at 60 fps or above.

Only Harbor Town, and The Don's Camp, and The Monastery (in the courtyard) seem to give me a few troubles. It's nothing that's unacceptable (far from it) but the experience is not nearly as smooth as it is while I'm out in the countryside.

I don't know, I'd better just shut up about this game - it's a damned masterpiece, really.

I never did have the bad stuttering and frame rate issues that someone (was it you?) asked me about earlier in the thread. Certainly nothing pronounced or noticeable.

The game is a masterpiece albeit a little bit of a flawed one. ;)
 
Gamestop has it for $40. Fuck it, I think I might just pick it up after work. All but one of my midterms were last week and the only other one is this Friday.
 
I really like the game a lot, I played it on Sunday for about 8 hours. I couldn't believe it.

Anyway, does anyone have any information on how the game chooses the class for you? I chose to side with the Don and he assigned me the class Hunter, and gave me the appropriate armor. I put all my points into strength, sword, and some lock pick.

I had a bow equipped so I thought it might have been the melee/ranged combination, but I didn't know for sure.
 
I really like the game a lot, I played it on Sunday for about 8 hours. I couldn't believe it.

Anyway, does anyone have any information on how the game chooses the class for you? I chose to side with the Don and he assigned me the class Hunter, and gave me the appropriate armor. I put all my points into strength, sword, and some lock pick.

I had a bow equipped so I thought it might have been the melee/ranged combination, but I didn't know for sure.

They choose it for you, but you don't have to listen. You can train up whatever you wish. I chose to be a mage and they wanted me to learn staff. I did sword instead.
 
They choose it for you, but you don't have to listen. You can train up whatever you wish. I chose to be a mage and they wanted me to learn staff. I did sword instead.

It's true, you can train whatever you want. But it seemed that he gave me armor specific to the hunter class. Is that incorrect?
 
It's true, you can train whatever you want. But it seemed that he gave me armor specific to the hunter class. Is that incorrect?

No it's not incorrect but it's just part of the story. You can keep that armor, sell it, wear whatever you want and ultimately do and be whatever you want at all times in the game. :)
 
Played part of the demo, and it seems okay. However, I am kind of tired of Elder Scrolls style RPGs where the ground is always littered with items and plants and what not that you have to run around and pick up. I get caught up in that kind of thing and forget to play and enjoy the game.
 
Played part of the demo, and it seems okay. However, I am kind of tired of Elder Scrolls style RPGs where the ground is always littered with items and plants and what not that you have to run around and pick up. I get caught up in that kind of thing and forget to play and enjoy the game.

You don't HAVE to pick up everything. ;)
 
You guys who are just buying it now are going to be in for a shocker. You might not be blown away at first, but trust me on this, after ten hours, after fifteen hours, the RPGness of the game will make it difficult for you to walk away from your computer.

My only advice - use the quick-save feature a lot, because you're going to die a lot. There's a really nice auto-save feature in this game that saves your game every five minutes or so (at least that's what it feels like), but I've gotten pretty used to hitting F8, and you should too.

F8 is your friend. :)
 
Played part of the demo, and it seems okay. However, I am kind of tired of Elder Scrolls style RPGs where the ground is always littered with items and plants and what not that you have to run around and pick up. I get caught up in that kind of thing and forget to play and enjoy the game.

I thought that the demo was good - but not great.

It was good enough to convince me to buy the game, but it's in no-way representative of how addictive the game is. After fifteen hours, forget about it, I was a goner. I'm nearing the end of this thing now and it's almost impossible to step away from my PC. (Thank god it's a holiday where I am.)
 
I thought that the demo was good - but not great.

It was good enough to convince me to buy the game, but it's in no-way representative of how addictive the game is. After fifteen hours, forget about it, I was a goner. I'm nearing the end of this thing now and it's almost impossible to step away from my PC. (Thank god it's a holiday where I am.)

I found it horribly short if you just followed the quest. If you tried to explore a bit more then it was alright. But, the fact it felt like Gothic to me sold it.
 
Picked this title up last night from Steam and am loving every second of it so far. I've only got about 30 minutes in so far, but I love how hard it is. I started to wonder and was promptly flattened hehe.

Looking very forward to progressing further. Thanks for all the comments here. It really helped me make my decision.
 
I found it horribly short if you just followed the quest. If you tried to explore a bit more then it was alright. But, the fact it felt like Gothic to me sold it.

There's SO much to do outside of the main quest. The game rewards you majorly for exploring and accomplishing sidequests.

If someone comes into this game and simply does the express route on main quest and does nothing else they are sorely shortchanging themselves.
 
There's SO much to do outside of the main quest. The game rewards you majorly for exploring and accomplishing sidequests.

If someone comes into this game and simply does the express route on main quest and does nothing else they are sorely shortchanging themselves.

I was speaking of the demo and how short it was if you didn't explore the little area within the demo confines. ;)
 
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You guys who are just buying it now are going to be in for a shocker. You might not be blown away at first, but trust me on this, after ten hours, after fifteen hours, the RPGness of the game will make it difficult for you to walk away from your computer.

My only advice - use the quick-save feature a lot, because you're going to die a lot. There's a really nice auto-save feature in this game that saves your game every five minutes or so (at least that's what it feels like), but I've gotten pretty used to hitting F8, and you should too.

F8 is your friend. :)

^^ True. Do this and also have multiple saves.

This is a game that will take you in gradually but surely.




I was speaking of the demo and how short it was if you didn't explore the little area within the demo confines. ;)

Ah.

A little friendly advice to people so they don't make the mistake I did:

You can NOT port your save from the demo to the full game and have it work properly.
 
I really like the game a lot, I played it on Sunday for about 8 hours. I couldn't believe it.

Anyway, does anyone have any information on how the game chooses the class for you? I chose to side with the Don and he assigned me the class Hunter, and gave me the appropriate armor. I put all my points into strength, sword, and some lock pick.

I had a bow equipped so I thought it might have been the melee/ranged combination, but I didn't know for sure.

if you want to be a mage, get captured or volunteer at the monastery before you go the bandit camp. finish the masters test and you will become a mage.

if you want to be a warrior of the order, pay your way into harbor town, and get faction with carlos.
 
Just beat it.

All I have to say is: Chapter 1 and 2, best gaming I had in a loooooong time. Top 5 game experiences ever. LOVED IT!! Chapter 3 and 4 = Hurry up and finish the game :( Probably spent 26 hours in Ch1,2 and 5 or 6 hours on Ch3 and 4. :(
 
* Spoiler Alert *







Ugh, Chapter Three is such a letdown.

After exploring this beautiful world, above ground, they send you beneath a volcano into what turns out to be a pretty generic dungeon crawl. Honestly, I'm working my way through all these maze-like corridors, and for the first time since I started this game, roughly 35 hours ago, I have almost no desire to continue.

If only they had placed the third chapter elsewhere. They could've reserved a part of the island for this chapter alone - a nice big field might've been nice. Or how about a bunch of skeleton infested villages? You know, just make something up and jam it into the plot. Showcase your engine why don't you instead of pushing us into this boring dungeon.

Man, what a letdown to an otherwise brilliant game.

Maybe it'll pick up in Chapter Four, eh? I just want to get the hell out of this dungeon.

(Hey, I've got Gothic 3 on order - should be arriving any day now... is that game mostly above ground?)
 
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Ugh, Chapter Three is such a letdown.

After exploring this beautiful world, above ground, they send you beneath a volcano into what turns out to be a pretty generic dungeon crawl. Honestly, I'm working my way through all these maze-like corridors, and for the first time since I started this game, roughly 35 hours ago, I have almost no desire to continue.

Might wanna edit that post for spoilers there Wabe.

Speaking of spoilers, could someone please answer this for me?

SPOILER ALERT:

Where can I find some decent armor after getting the hunter armor from the Don? I cant find any traders with armor. I'm taking some serious damage from those Lizard Men.

END SPOILER :D
 
just started playing the game (maybe 2 hours in) but so far the game mechanics don't see too clear to me. like how to dodge attacks from monsters and all that. So far the games basically a lower class version of oblivion which i thought was amazing... It might just be that my tastes have changed but i couldn't get into the witcher/fallout3 either. I'll give this game a few more hours b4 i just call it.
 
Mr. Zen - that's it. Each chapter you'll get a new outfit. You have to live with what you've got.
 
just started playing the game (maybe 2 hours in) but so far the game mechanics don't see too clear to me. like how to dodge attacks from monsters and all that. So far the games basically a lower class version of oblivion which i thought was amazing... It might just be that my tastes have changed but i couldn't get into the witcher/fallout3 either. I'll give this game a few more hours b4 i just call it.

You don't dodge. You use a shield. Just hold the shield out in front of you and keep stepping back or to the side, and strike after your opponent has finished striking. It's fun.
 
You don't dodge. You use a shield. Just hold the shield out in front of you and keep stepping back or to the side, and strike after your opponent has finished striking. It's fun.

You DO dodge. Double tap the directional key OR directional key + jump will allow you to dodge.
 
I guess I just don't get this game... I find the story somewhat mediocre and bland and nothing particualry compels me to play. I had the same issue with Gothic 3 post-patches
 
You can also double-tap left or right to do a dash in either direction and avoid an incoming attack.

If you're getting surrounded you can quickly dash backwards (hold back then press jump) a few times to position yourself away from enemies, this also works very well against boars.

Additionally, when you get your first level in a melee weapon you’ll receive the parry ability which is awesome if timed correctly during sword fights.
 
Thanks, I'll try the combat tips

Got my copy in the post, I'll give it a go tonight.
 
I guess I just don't get this game... I find the story somewhat mediocre and bland and nothing particualry compels me to play. I had the same issue with Gothic 3 post-patches

It's slow in the beginning no doubt but it definitely picks up.
 
Haven't even hit the main quest really and I'm loving it!

Any one know if DEX helps in melee? I'm still trying to figure out what I'd like to specialize in. I increased my STR so I could use a sword I found, but have now been given the option to upgrade my staff skill.

How's magic in the game?
 
Haven't even hit the main quest really and I'm loving it!

Any one know if DEX helps in melee? I'm still trying to figure out what I'd like to specialize in. I increased my STR so I could use a sword I found, but have now been given the option to upgrade my staff skill.

The game is helpful in showing and telling you exactly how high up certain stats need to be to use certain weapons, armor, and accessories.

Yes, DEX helps. For a lot of things.

How's magic in the game?

Pretty good IMO, especially when you start getting conveniences like teleportation gems and the like.
 
Rock Paper Shotgun has a great writing series on a player going through Risen right now. It was looking liket he game was becoming great and then it suddenly screwed him over and he broke the game.
 
Ok odd question:

I've purchased Risen via Steam and am encountering a very odd issue. When the game is loading, I hear a very high pitched whine sound. I also hear the same sound on the main screen and if I press "esc" when playing to save/exit etc. The odd thing is that this sound is not heard when in game and playing, odd huh?

So I figured this was my speakers, right? Well it's actually not. The sound is actually coming from my case, which is even more strange. This is the only game, including ones purchased via Steam that does this. Any one have a clue what this is? All my components are in great shape and I know my HDs are running fine. I have noticed the HDs working overtime when on teh main screen though. I've gone through and checked everything. Am I missing something?

To be honest, this is hampering the play at all, but just very weird.

P.S. It seems it may be the video card, is this bad? lol
 
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Well, okay, you CAN dodge, but I'm not sure why you would want to when the block works so well. What's great about the block is that there's an auto-lock mechanic, so that if you're facing ahead, and backing up, you'll always be locked on to the closest NPC.

The only time the block doesn't work is if a very strong NPC hits you hard, and you stumble backwards, and he hits you again, while you're stumbling (and so he should - with some games, when you block with your shield you're completely invincible, and that's just wrong.)

The shield does a good job though. You just block, and wait for the right moment. (Regardless of all this, F8 is still your friend, because you're going to die a thousand deaths no matter what.)

But I have a question: Does Chapter Four take me outside again? It's obvious now that the whole of Chapter Three is going to be spent underground.
 
Ok odd question:

I've purchased Risen via Steam and am encountering a very odd issue. When the game is loading, I hear a very high pitched whine sound. I also hear the same sound on the main screen and if I press "esc" when playing to save/exit etc. The odd thing is that this sound is not heard when in game and playing, odd huh?

So I figured this was my speakers, right? Well it's actually not. The sound is actually coming from my case, which is even more strange. This is the only game, including ones purchased via Steam that does this. Any one have a clue what this is? All my components are in great shape and I know my HDs are running fine. I have noticed the HDs working overtime when on teh main screen though. I've gone through and checked everything. Am I missing something?

To be honest, this is hampering the play at all, but just very weird.

P.S. It seems it may be the video card, is this bad? lol

I think there was something about having to lock the refresh rate, but that might be for the monitor.

Unrelated, but being able to wield a 2H sword in 1 hand is awesome.
 
I went down the axes path, and at Level 6 axe training I was finally able to wield a two-handed axe in one hand and a shield in the other - this is extremely important since you can't block any four-legged animals using just your weapon (the exception being animals with arms - grave moths, for example). It was incredibly frustrating being attacked by wolves and not being able to block them (until I got my Level 6 axe training I had to carry a sword and shield just to survive in the wilderness... what a pain having to switch between the sword and shield, and my axe, all the time).
 
I went down the axes path, and at Level 6 axe training I was finally able to wield a two-handed axe in one hand and a shield in the other - this is extremely important since you can't block any four-legged animals using just your weapon (the exception being animals with arms - grave moths, for example). It was incredibly frustrating being attacked by wolves and not being able to block them (until I got my Level 6 axe training I had to carry a sword and shield just to survive in the wilderness... what a pain having to switch between the sword and shield, and my axe, all the time).

I tended to favor the Axes over the swords myself.
 
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