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Risen Review
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Posted by Donster on: 2009-10-09 18:30:07 307
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Piranha Bytes redeems itself with this standout role-playing experience.
By Charles Onyett, IGN
The skies are swirling with fury and there are beasts on the shore. As they approach, you're doubtful the slab of driftwood in your hand will be capable of swatting them aside. Shaking off the shock of waking up near-dead on the beach after the shipwreck, at the back of your mind gnaws the curiosity as to what kind of mysteries are set inside this densely forested island. Before giving in to that line of thinking wholeheartedly, more essential needs shoulder to the front of your thoughts. What do I eat? Who can I turn to for help? How do I get stronger? And more importantly, how do I kill this repulsive giant vulture creature without getting my skull caved in?
Such are the opening moments of Piranha Bytes' Risen, a new open-world role-playing game from the makers of the Gothic series. Anyone who knows the studio's previous work will find a lot familiar here, from the general ambiance of the world to the presentation, feel of gameplay, and style of exploration. You'll also find it's quite user-friendly, at least in a relative sense, compared to the studio's more hardcore Gothic games. Still, to any newcomer unaware of the history of Gothic and Piranha Bytes, this is not a game that holds your hand. While a little more direction in spots would have been appreciated, the game's exemplary implementation of tone and methods of advancement make its rewards feel all the more powerful, and despite some hiccups with combat, make it one of the best role-playing experiences of 2009 so far.
Read on...
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