A late buyer, I was somewhat pessimistic because of all the reviews I read. Now, 20 hours into the game, I can say this is a very decent heir to the Gothic series.
The world is so typical for the Gothic games, old Gothic players will immediately feel at home. Default controls are very similar, too.
The game is very hard in the beginning. Very hard. You will die often, very often, unless you avoid basically everything and everyone. The world is hostile and very dangerous. Fight is not much different than other Gothic games, only enemies are overly stronger. You need to just keep a low profile, sneak and run away from fights. Start with the go-and-fetch quests to gain some experience, money and access to better weapons and armor. Try to get a companion, that helps a lot. Be patient, don't rush into the game and the wilderness. Pick your fights carefully. Learn to dodge attacks.
Quests often have multiple resolutions and it is not clear what action will bring you what. You need to decide for yourself and then get what you deserved. Some quest options require certain skills, so do not rush to solve all quests before you shape your character the way you like it.
The fractions are interesting, each with their own weapons and perks. They are realistic in terms that all of them have their serious drawbacks and you always need to make a compromise when you join one, which you must in order to progress.
Story is mediocre, nothing impressive.
The game also features the dumbing-down instructions and hints, so typical of modern games. Fortunately, you can turn-off markers on your map to make the game slightly more interesting.