The Risen 2 Thread

[CreamyBlood]

Totally, 100% agree with you there. I've been doing that with all games anyways for a few years now. It's just in this case, it was PB and I knew I'd like it and wanted to give them my money. Of course, they confused the hell out of me and didn't make it clear if I was getting the full game or not. With DLC's, release date is actually a year early so no point in buying until they decide to release the FULL game. Plus it's at a reasonable price then.

 

[Brayko]

The FULL game is very easy to acquire, if you don't wish to wait.

 

[CreamyBlood]

I'm quite aware of that. I'm not waiting. I just don't understand why publishers make it such a pain in the ass for people to give them money for a game. Hello world: Here's my full game, you can buy it here, here and here. Instead of confusing customers, ripping out content, giving some countries a different product and then making links and sales that don't explain what you're getting.

So yes, the tried and true is always there.

 

[Elwro]

There should be an option to take a hair from his head if you've talked to the other water carrier who suggests using voodoo on him. You definitely don't have to use a scepter.

OK, so I hit a bug. There's no such option and I did talk to that other carrier who suggested voodoo. That's a shame, I chose the voodoo path precisely to use it in cases like Butch / Benito, and I can't believe they weren't properly tested.

I think you first choose a target, then move the little swirling skulls to the enemy you want them to attack, and then click.

Yes, but how do I move the skulls? They're initially on the creature I'm controlling and I have no idea how to switch to the combat target.

Thanks for the comb hint.

 

[Jaedar]

You rotate the camera with the mouse, which moves the skulls. The name will pop up when something is targeted.

 

[Elwro]

You rotate the camera with the mouse, which moves the skulls. The name will pop up when something is targeted.

Well, I tried that a few times, but it doesn't seem to work on my machine. Even when I control one monkey and another is right next to it.

 

[Aeschylus]

OK, so I hit a bug. There's no such option and I did talk to that other carrier who suggested voodoo. That's a shame, I chose the voodoo path precisely to use it in cases like Butch / Benito, and I can't believe they weren't properly tested.

That is very weird. Too bad. At least it's by far the least interesting of the voodoo possessions. All you do is talk to one guy.

Yes, but how do I move the skulls? They're initially on the creature I'm controlling and I have no idea how to switch to the combat target.

I'm pretty sure wasd (maybe only w and s) moves the little skulls, while the mouse rotates the camera. You might not be able to use it on ambient animals as they can't attack anything. Try it on a monster or human.

 

[Elwro]

I'm pretty sure wasd (maybe only w and s) moves the little skulls, while the mouse rotates the camera. You might not be able to use it on ambient animals as they can't attack anything. Try it on a monster or human.

I tried it on these bigger monkeys which attack the player. I'll try again after coming home but wasd / mouse was exactly the combination I tried...

 

[Draconis]

I just use the mouse, rotate the camera and "aim" on another target, the skulls should then move and circle around a target now and then click the left mouse button. That's how I do it in any case.

 

[Phelot]

You know, I still can't play this because Steam is stuck trying to validate files or some shit. Really makes me regret bothering to pay for the game when the pirated version would have been up and running now.

I forgot that Risen 2 requires Steam I guess? I went and downloaded some 6 gigs from Gamersgate and now its launched Steam and is downloading the game over again. WTF is the point of this?

FFS, I should just recognize I paid PB and pirate the fucking thing. This is ridiculous.

 

[chewie]

WTF is the point of this?

The PR department of Deep Silver calls this "service for the customer" - the sole reason why this 3rd-party company is involved. At least that´s what they tried to communicate after they planted that bomb.

This is ridiculous.

Aye. Still, some call it "progress".

 

[Phelot]

Well, if I had remembered that Risen 2 needed Steam I would have just bought it on there and be done with it. At least I think I have enough blue coins on gamersgate to get Treasure Island for free, but I'm sure that will be a headache too.

 

[Darth Roxor]

Ok, granted, I'm still very much at beginning and only derping around Nicaragua, but I have only one question that keeps bugging me about this whole deal.

What the fuck was PB thinking? Have they learned fucking nothing? Are they following the success of the critically acclaimed Arcania?

I thought I'd laugh when I saw a protip at one loading screen saying 'HIGH MOUNTAINS AND DEEP WATER LIMIT YOUR EXPLORATION'. Then I raged when I realised there's no climbing. Then I raged time and time again each time I had to fight something - no dodging is retarded (bonus points for placing a guard somewhere that tells you to dodge warthog charges - very fucking funny), the Gothic 3 style stunlocks when facing wildlife, as well as brianless LMBing enemies to death with no fucking sense of timing or reflexes whatsoever keep annoying me so much I wonder if I should keep playing because I somehow doubt this is gonna get any better, except for changing from 'CLICK CLICK CLICK' to 'PARRY 24/7 AND WAIT FOR COUNTER ATTACK!!!!!' once more moves are unlocked, fucking Assassins Creed style. What. The. Fuck. In Gothic 2, I could clear shadowbeasts and orcs around Khorinis at level 2. Here, I get stopped by a grave spider or whateverthefuck because HOHOHO, I can't avoid its fucking attacks, I can't adjust my combat properly because it's EXACTLY THE SAME as fighting against everything else, so it just hits me like a truck and I die with no way of avoiding it (except for running around for 5 minutes and shooting the pistol, but I don't have to explain how that is retarded).

What. The. Fuck. Give me back my Risen, at least mowing down lizardmen masses with chaingun bows in act 3 was fun.

 

[Elwro]

no dodging is retarded (bonus points for placing a guard somewhere that tells you to dodge warthog charges - very fucking funny)

Exactly; I think I tried to discover the hidden dodge move for 15 minutes after hearing what this guard told me...

 

[Kenneybounces]

Pretty darn good game if you can get past the combat. Lots of interesting quests and exploration. The game has some pretty good immersion in the sense it makes you feel like a pirate with all the treasure hunting, legendary item collecting, pirate quests, monkeys, parrots.. etc. etc...
I'm trying to buy the collector's edition for the PC but it's not available in the USA.

 

[yaster]

You actually can dodge warthogs. It's just cumbersome. And you can defeat grave spider without taking damage, you just need power attack (lvl2 skill afair). Also grave spider is top3 most dangerous monsters in the game, shadow beast aren't their equivalent. The rest of the criticism is right on the spot. Combat really really sucks, kinda like G3 but more frustrating imo. Very disappointing after 1st part.

 

[Aeschylus]

You actually can dodge warthogs. It's just cumbersome. And you can defeat grave spider without taking damage, you just need power attack (lvl2 skill afair). Also grave spider is top3 most dangerous monsters in the game, shadow beast aren't their equivalent. The rest of the criticism is right on the spot. Combat really really sucks, kinda like G3 but more frustrating imo. Very disappointing after 1st part.

I would say Grave Spiders are the #1 toughest enemy in the game to take down in melee, slightly tougher than Guardians. They're probably the only enemy in the game that requires a companion meat shield in order to beat w/out guns. That said, with guns they're easy as long as you keep your distance, since they're not all that fast. You can even beat the one on Tacarigua with the starting shotgun if you're patient.

 

[Darth Roxor]

I would say Grave Spiders are the #1 toughest enemy in the game to take down in melee.

Are you serious???

I actually almost managed to kill that grave spider at level 2 with no trained combat skills (it had like 5% hp remaining), and it's the #1 toughest enemy?

hahaohwow.jpg

 

[Aeschylus]

I would say Grave Spiders are the #1 toughest enemy in the game to take down in melee.

Are you serious???

I actually almost managed to kill that grave spider at level 2 with no trained combat skills (it had like 5% hp remaining), and it's the #1 toughest enemy?

hahaohwow.jpg

Yup. Impressive if true, though I'm not sure what 'level 2' means. Level 2 blades? If you had Patty with you (which I assume you probably did at that point) then that makes it a lot easier. The 'Guardian' enemies are quite a bit tougher than Grave Spiders until you figure out the trick to killing them, at which point they become pretty easy to kill in solo melee. There's one on Tacarigua somewhere if you explore carefully/shoot things with cannons.

I actually agree with most of your beefs with the game, though there is a certain amount of cliff-climbing possible similar to the ledges in Gothic. I agree that melee combat sucks, particularly against animals. Waiting to parry and counter-attack is honestly a pretty bad approach against human enemies though. Using your gun/dirty tricks, and attacking more actively are much better strategies, though it sort of embarrasses me to call anything about the combat in R2 'strategy'.

 

[Captain Shrek]

If you have patty with you ANY fucking encounter is dirt easy.

 

[Elwro]

Really? She shoots like every 5 minutes in my case, and the fact she can divert one enemy is not enough... Chani heals me, which helps.

 

[Aeschylus]

Really? She shoots like every 5 minutes in my case, and the fact she can divert one enemy is not enough... Chani heals me, which helps.

It's less about the shooting and more about being able to take a crap-ton of damage. And if you retreat, generally any enemies that are following you will start attacking your companion.

 

[Phelot]

Can companions die? Or do they get "unconscious."

EDIT: Also, can you play the game without any companions or are some encounters simply too hard? I hate having companions in an aRPG.

 

[chewie]

I would say Grave Spiders are the #1 toughest enemy in the game to take down in melee.

Are you serious???

I actually almost managed to kill that grave spider at level 2 with no trained combat skills (it had like 5% hp remaining), and it's the #1 toughest enemy?

hahaohwow.jpg

Yup. Impressive if true, though I'm not sure what 'level 2' means. Level 2 blades?

Level 2 blades, thoughness 10, firearms 10 and the whole island cleared

But seriously, it's doable for sure - like in G2 beating trolls (altought that one due to an exploit) or orc elite - one has just to study the timing of the particular enemy and it's doable. But fun? Wouldn't say so. The normal combat (facing 2-3 enemies) is either constant jumping / running away or using firearms - or ruining your mouse while getting more and more drunk because of the instant heal. Not exactly fun IMO. Risen did this a lot better - even crowds of enemies were doable, although constant blocking was a broken mechanism, too.

Other then that - Risen 2 is a okay interactive movie game. Nothing spectacular, lacks a lot of polishing and more work on the game world (no, not the island graphics). E.g. the whole npc reaction on player actions is crap - sneaking isn't worth the gold. Just knock the npcs out and loot the town. Or this ridiculous faction system which has no real effect on the game world or the story. Makes no sense to be an undercover inq soldier when going the vodoo path. Why is there no clear cut? Pirates side with savages and drive the inq out of the country or at least make clear to them that as their status as refugees they don't have the position to play the colonization game etc. - lot's of potential wasted. It's so Bioware to pretend a consequence by locking either vodoo or muskets... gnah.

Also, the whole equipment system is beta at best. You can buy 3 muskets while there are a lot more in the game (just use give I in the console) and even buying them is poorly timed and balanced. First musket is free for all, and makes 50 damage. Why musket at all? Why not a shotgun for starters? The whole shotgun tree is worthless as the muskets are way better. And don't make me started on crafting them ... And why the heck can't e.g. a plain pirate (siding with Chani but not using vodoo) get shotguns at all? You can't even buy them in Antigua - what the hell? Bah... wasted potential. Oh, and if someone uses the 'give I' cheat for all items - check the armor section for the voodoo armor which didn't make it into the game.

This game is really poor at the core, and playing it 2 times (one for each faction) is basically it in terms of replay value. Instead, they wasted time and money for 2 poor DLCs with the first one (treasure hunt) clearly cut out from the game (the whole plot was the best part of Risen - why cut it out in the successor? Can't understand that decision)

Can companions die? Or do they get "unconscious."

EDIT: Also, can you play the game without any companions or are some encounters simply too hard? I hate having companions in an aRPG.

Unconscious.

 

[Aeschylus]

Can companions die? Or do they get "unconscious."

EDIT: Also, can you play the game without any companions or are some encounters simply too hard? I hate having companions in an aRPG.

The latter, and yes you can mostly play w/out companions. There's a few occasions where they are forced on you, but you can get rid of them fairly quickly if you're so inclined.

Some encounters towards the end will probably be extremely tough, but I can't think of any that would be impossible. A little more doable if you use voodoo.

This game is really poor at the core, and playing it 2 times (one for each faction) is basically it in terms of replay value. Instead, they wasted time and money for 2 poor DLCs with the first one (treasure hunt) clearly cut out from the game (the whole plot was the best part of Risen - why cut it out in the successor? Can't understand that decision)

Greed.