I was excited to say the least with promise of infinite universe and all that diversity that came along with it. I actually played it first on PS4 - sure frame rates were not that good with barely drawn landscape below you as you fly high speed, but it had something - enough to keep me interested for about a month. Then i had misfortune to read about great ending (not going spoil for those who did not read) and it kind of went downhill. It would be a good indie game to be sure. just not enough content in it for a full blow game, not even with DLC. I guess people including me expected more "bang" for their buck. I still want to come back to it, but keep postponing it all this time. Probably would get second life as VR title though.
I waited for this game to be released on GOG for several years - and I knew it would be coming when SSI old gems started to pour. Darksun had one of the best settings , sort of post-apocalyptic scenario but set in the world with magic/swordplay as opposed to typical gun play. One of the few games of the past that made me angry (the commentator in Arena) and also gave me sense of accomplishment - when i met him later in desert. The graphics might be off now and second game (I beta tested it in past), had gazillion bugs at start- but that did not stop me from playing it. While maybe not as deep and encompassing as Torment, this little game made me care for characters and outcome - and also meet quite few sunrises by accident as i played it - a sign (for me) that game was right up to my valley :)
I generally enjoyed it - and played it twice, on pc and xbox, pc version imho was superior - graphics and ability to roll away from danger at least. I am getting a bit tired though of people who compare it to beloved Gothic 2 - frankly I thought Gothic 1 was better than 2, the last one was a bit stretched out in the end. At least npcs in risen's have slightly more personality to them. Feels more balanced too - unlike Gothics where upon obtaining certain spells/weapons , hero turned into typhoon of death, Risen 1 had same problem too - where lizardmen toward end were flying 200 feet away from simple staff blow.
This game once kept me awake very late at nights - even though graphics were slightly dated year from release, the story and multiple outcomes kept me interested. I also remember it for its music tunes , some while annoying were unforgettable ( land of tiny beings ) others were amazing. Its more adventure than rpg and has puzzles in it that made me once buy guide ( which i kept as memory ) and now i am getting it once again. If you diehard adventure / rpg fan and tolerate old graphics ( why else you be here ) you almost guaranteed to enjoy this one.
I am not taking stars off for old grudges, first of all. So its action spin-off with Ultima theme. Story once developed was pretty good and I absolutely loved magic schools and way spells needed to be cast. There were few fun easter eggs in game (hasta la vista?), some scary moments and despite what many say, and what I thought once, its worthy if bastard successor to ultima series. Try play Origin Crusader games after this one.. (or before), you might have deja vu moments!
Even occasional camera glitch wont break spell for me. Story is long and rich and there are no bugs that turn you away. Didnt crash once yet in 30+ hours. Purchased from GOG because of the lesser hassle with codes later on. 5 stars for the game and 5 stars to developers who put time and effort for the game to have its own piece of soul, so to speak. This one beats last 4-5 Rpgs hands down.
