Normally, this game is judged a lot by comparing it to its predecessor - and the developers games in general. If you do that, yes there are a lot of changes in game- design and gameplay - and looked at each one specifically, you can see why these changes are deemed inferior (giving the game a lower score).
If you look at Risen 2 as a standalone entry in the RPG genre however, there is really not a lot it does actually bad, if at all for a game from a small development team.
The combat can be criticised for being a button masher early on, lacking the tactical step-by-step movement of the first game. You will soon notice however, that the iconic learning system is still there for every kind of combat type you can acquire skills with to use. Still, it always stays a bit on the weaker side.
Other than that though, not really anything is amiss. You have multiple good looking environments that reward exploration, good written quests and according dialogues, the story is engaging and, compared to the older games, set in scene quite nice actually. All this with expanded and refined mechanics/features create a really atmospheric adventure that gives you multiple options to solve a lot of occurring obstacles until you reach the somewhat sudden, but still satisfying end.
The game has quite a sudden change of style (that being pirates in time of colonialization). Again, weird by comparison, but it does fit the bill of old sailor stories and (maybe not fully accurate) history very well.
Technically, the game actually did install everything it needed by itself and ran without problems on my hardware. I didn't have any issues while playing and the technical foundation holds up good against today's standards.
If you are looking for a solid RPG with pirate setting, you cannot do much wrong with Risen 2 in my book.
Recommended!
