Gothic II Review
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Most encounters can easily be won by simply striking right before the NPC or monster attacks. The AI will try to change the angle of attack, but one on one most creatures can fall easily if your timing is right. The story is different if the monster has friends. Multiple creatures attacking you can be difficult and many times I fell easily to a circle of orcs slashing me to death. In these cases the standard save often and reload mentality is the recommended remedy. The world of Gothic II is big as well with lots to do and teleportation runes to get you around easier. In fact there are many objects with which your main character can interact with to add a little flavor to your roleplaying experience. Of course the sights and sounds of Gothic II are also vital to add to your immersion. One of the primary criticisms of the first Gothic was its awkward controls. To do some of the easiest things in the game would require holding down control and pressing another key. Gothic II has largely simplified the control scheme, with most interactions simply require a keystroke or a click of the mouse. This makes the gameplay much more fluid & streamlined and is a welcome addition.
Compared to recent games and RPGs like Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines, Gothic II's graphics are somewhat lacking, but with the performance settings set to maximum, they are certainly sufficient. While the graphics engine is starting to show its age, the sound effects are very well done. Gothic II has many little sounds that some games seem to ignore. For instance, if you climb on top of a lighthouse overlooking the sea, you will hear the wind howl. In town, commoners will converse with one another and smiths will hammer and forge their newest creations. This ambiance is well placed in the world of Gothic II. However, the music (with the exception of the main theme) is rather standard and forgettable. Much of the time your ears are busy listening to the dialogue or sound effects rather than concentrating on the music, though, so it didn't bother me much.
Gothic II is a good RPG, there is no denying that. The large environments, quests, and characters all make it an engrossing game. The ability to pick different factions will no doubt make you want to play the game a second or possibly even a third time. Although the graphics pale in comparison to more recent games and the AI needs to take a few more combat lessons, Gothic II deserves a spot in any gamer's RPG library if they are looking for a unique fantasy world to explore. Since Gothic II has been out for awhile it is also less expensive than most games, which makes exploring the world of Gothic more accessible than ever.
