Risen 2: Dark Waters

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Risen 2: Dark Waters
Studio GermanyGermany Piranha bytes
Publisher GermanyGermany Deep Silver Ubisoft
JapanJapan
Erstveröffent-
lichung		 Windows: April 24, 2012 April 27, 2012 Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3: July 31, 2012 August 3, 2012 February 28, 2013
North AmericaNorth America
European UnionEuropean Union

North AmericaNorth America
European UnionEuropean Union
JapanJapan
platform Windows ,
PlayStation 3 ,
Xbox 360
Game engine Revised Genome Engine from Piranha Bytes
genre Action RPG
Subject Fantasy , pirates
Game mode Single player
control Keyboard and mouse ,
DualShock 3 ,
Xbox 360 controller
medium DVD-ROM , download
language German, English, Russian, Polish
Age rating
USK released from 12
PEGI recommended for ages 16+
Booth for Risen 2: Dark Waters at Gamescom 2011

Risen 2: Dark Waters is an action role-playing game with a fantasy scenario by the German development company Piranha Bytes , which was released in Europe on April 27, 2012 and is published by Deep Silver . It was released for Windows as well as for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 . It is the sequel to Risen from 2009.

action

background

While you have defeated the Fire Titan in the predecessor, other titans devastate the mainland. The king is dead and humanity is on the verge of extinction. Like magic, magicians were banished from the realm and scattered to the winds. Only the caldera, a small enclave protected by a crystal deposit, remains on the mainland. The Inquisition is rapidly losing power in the empire and is sending expeditions to the newly discovered world to rebuild civilization there. However, Mara, a titan lord and hybrid of octopus and human woman, makes the seas a dangerous place and sinks one ship after the other with the help of a giant octopus . You yourself are stationed in Caldera. After losing his right eye in the fight against the Fire Titan, the hero's only occupation is to empty rum bottles .

Course of action

One night a ship stranded on the Caldera coast. The only survivor is Patty, who has still not given up on the search for her father's treasure, Captain Steel Beard. She meets the hero and tells him about the legendary magical titan weapons that can kill Mara. Your father Stahlbart owns one of them. The player character receives the order from the commander Calderas to get these weapons immediately and to kill Mara. After he and Patty met Captain Stahlbart on Takarigua and was accepted into his crew, he drove to the Sword Coast, where the first artifact, the titan harpoon, was in the possession of the pirate captain Crow. After killing this and taking the harpoon, Stahlbart's ship is sunk by Mara and the captain is killed. After the player character has captured the only ship on the Sword Coast, you look for the other weapons, a dagger, a bone hand and an amulet, each of which belongs to a different pirate captain who is allied with Mara. You kill each of the captains and take the weapons. Through a conversation with Stahlbart's ghost, the player character finally learns that Mara was once inadvertently freed by this and the other captains. He also receives the location of Mara's hiding place, the water temple, where he kills them with the help of the titan weapons.

Patty jokes that the hero will soon be up to his neck in new difficulties and adventures.

Game world

The flora of the game world is clearly based on the Caribbean. The fauna includes different types of enemies, such as giant termites, spiders, crabs and ghouls . A dynamic day and night change is also implemented in the game.

With all download extensions, the game world is divided into ten controllable islands or coastal sections. Two of the islands (Treasure Island and Storm Island) are each included in a DLC or in the Gold Edition, which includes the main game and all its expansions . You control the islands with your own pirate ship:

  • Caldera: The seat of the Inquisition and the last city on the mainland that is still safe. The city is surrounded by liquid lava. Only a crystal below the city protects them from destruction.
  • Takarigua: A small base of the Inquisition runs a sugar cane plantation here with the help of slaves in order to burn rum. On the other side of the island is a pirate's nest.
  • Antigua: The main pirate base. A former pirate captain rules the pirate town.
  • The Sword Coast: It is located on the continent of Arborea, recently settled by the Inquisition. The city of Puerto Isabella was built by the Inquisition. However, there is also an indigenous tribe, the Shaganumbi, which is based on the indigenous people of Central America.
  • Maracai Bay: Also on the Arborea continent. There is only a very small outpost of the Inquisition here. A native tribe also lives here.
  • Island of Thieves: A very small island. Only a tribe of gnomes live on the island.
  • Storm Island: A small island that is constantly hit by storms. Only a few gargoyles have their nests on the island.
  • Treasure Island: Stahlbart has hidden his treasure on it, otherwise only monsters live on it.
  • The island of the dead: On it you can enter and return to the realm of the dead in the course of the game.
  • The water temple: Mara lives in it and can only be entered at the end of the game.

Game mechanics

The game is controlled in the third person perspective (tracking camera) with mouse and keyboard or alternatively with the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 gamepad . There are three levels of difficulty.

By solving tasks or killing opponents, the player receives so-called fame points, equal to the experience points of the previous player. Through this, he can improve his skills with teachers, for example to pick more difficult locks. These skills can be increased even more by collecting Legendary Items. In contrast to its predecessor, there is no longer any complete armor, only individual items of clothing. These can also increase skills, but are only temporary. If the item of clothing is changed, the bonus expires.

During the course of the game you find your own pirate crew. If desired, this can accompany the player through the game world and fight with him, but not die. If a crew member is defeated, they will faint while there are enemy NPCs or monsters nearby.

Various weapons are available to the hero, such as sabers, pistols or shotguns. A new addition is the magical talent Voodoo. With it you can weaken opponents, brew potions or completely take over and control NPCs.

Risen 2: Dark Waters , like its predecessor, offers the possibility of collecting points by completing certain long-term tasks in the game, which the player can then use to compete with other players. For example, there are a few points for collecting 300,000 gold pieces.

Characters and voice actors

character German voice actors Remarks
hero Martin Schäfer Player character
Patty steel beard Julia Rothfuchs Pirate bride
Gregorius Emanuel Stahlbart Christian Jungwirth Legendary pirate captain, father of Patty
Chani Nina Hecklau Voodoo shaman of the Sword Coast indigenous tribe
Venturo Torsten Sense Inquisition soldier
Jaffar Oliver Krietsch-Matzura Gnome from the island of thieves
Slayne Sascha Rotermund Pirate captain
Garcia Achim Barrenstein Pirate captain
Crow Matthias Luehn Pirate captain
Mara Andrea Wolf Titan Lord of the Seas
Eldric Bodo Henkel As narrator in the intro and character in the DLC Der Tempel der Lüfte
Di Fuego Michael Deckner Governor of Puerto Sacarico on Takarigua Island
Sebastiano Helmut Winkelmann Commander of the Inquisition and Governor of Puerto Isabella

Extensions and collector's editions

For Risen 2 , the following three extensions were available for purchase as Downloadable Content (DLC):

The temple of the sky
Contains an additional area, Storm Island, with its own quest line.
The pirate gear
Contains additional equipment.
Treasure Island
Contains a new island, Treasure Island, including a new quest line.

In addition to the normal edition, the game was offered in two different collector's editions . While the Collector's Edition was also released for consoles, the limited edition Stahlbart's Treasure was only released for PC.

Technology and development

Was announced Risen 2 at the Gamescom 2010 , about a year after the release of its predecessor.

The console ports of the game developed by Piranha Bytes for PC were taken over by Wizarbox , which had previously implemented the Xbox 360 version of its predecessor.

reception

Rating mirror
publication Rating
German-speaking area
4players 69% (Win)
Area games 3/5
Buffed 9/10
Computer picture games Note 2.10
GameStar 86% (Win)
Games world 82% (Win)
Gamona 82%
Looki 83% (Win)
PC Games 86% (Win)
Game tips 85%
Video Games Zone 69%
International
GameSpot 7.0 / 10 (Win)
IGN US 6.5 / 10 (Win)
Meta-ratings
GameRankings 67.59% (Win)
58.27% (X360)
53.83% (PS3)
Metacritic 69% (Win)
60% (X360)
47% (PS3)

Reviews

The game received mixed ratings ( Metacritic : 69% (Win), 60% (Xbox 360), 47% (PS3); GameRankings : 67.59% / 58.27% / 53.83%). The ratings of German-language reviews were mostly above average.

GameStar magazine criticized the choppy animations and muddy textures. The large open game world with many side quests and the performance of the voice actors were praised.

The PC Games praised the “brilliantly” implemented privateer scenario and the “crazy atmospheric”, credible game world. It was criticized that there was hardly any drama and that the fights were too simple.

The Gamona site praised the “wonderful Caribbean flair” and the “simple, honest dialogues”. Criticisms included the wooden combat system and the fact that a pirate captain couldn't swim.

The 4Players side praised the “beautiful” landscapes and the many quests. The "terrible" combat system was criticized.

Of Computer Bild Spiele the "witty" dialogues and the "great atmosphere" were praised. The somewhat unbalanced combat system was criticized.

In the review of the Xbox 360 version, the Video Games Zone website positively highlighted the varied quests. It was negatively emphasized that the game was "a disaster" from a technical point of view.

In its review of the Windows version, the games portal Gameswelt praised the South Seas ambience and that there was a lot to discover apart from the main story. The wooden facial expressions and gestures and the slightly too thin end were noticed negatively.

The Looki portal gave the Windows version a positive rating for the “very good” level design and the “damn tight” atmosphere. Negative points of criticism were the outdated engine and the monotonous combat system.

The Spieletipps page also praised the “stunning” graphics for the Windows version. The "rather gray" story was rated negatively.

Awards and sales success

At the RPC Fantasy Awards 2012, Risen 2 received the special jury award.

Risen 2 was nominated six times for the German Developer Award 2012 (Best RPG, Best Graphics, Best Sound, Best German Game, Best Game Design, Best Console Game). The winner is Risen 2 in the category "Best RPG".

According to a statement from Deep Silver's Marketing Director Georg Larch in August 2011, Deep Silver wanted to deliver a million copies of the role-playing game by the time it was released and was expecting even more sales.

A great sales success was denied the game. Regarding the sales figures, a spokesman for publisher Deep Silver told PC Games: "It sold well, but there was still room for improvement."

Controversy

Since the official cover of the game shows blood stains in the background, it had to be adapted for release in the US; bruises can now be seen there. The background to this is a national ban on the use of blood as an advertising medium.

By means of a cheat, a number of players managed to unlock three add-ons after the release of Risen 2: Dark Waters , which should actually be sold separately. Except for the missing language files, the additional content was completely available and playable in the basic installation of the game.

novel

On June 19, 2012, a novel about the game was published, which was written by the British author Steven Savile . The novel was translated into German by Timothy Stahl.

successor

Risen 3: Titan Lords was released on August 15, 2014 on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. There the player finds a world that has been abandoned by its gods and is suffering from the Titan Wars when a new threat arises from the underground. As a young warrior one is attacked by shadows and robbed of one's soul. You embark on a journey to regain your soul - and you have to discover that the shadow is also spreading in the world.

The exiled magicians could be powerful enough to bring back the hero's stolen soul - you have to track them down to get help. After the Inquisition's witch hunt, those who use magic find refuge on Taranis, also popularly known as Thunder Island. In the mines there, they dig for crystals that are charged with magical energy. They are protected by their guards, who defend the magicians with sword and magic. The player can join the guardians and support the goals of the mages. Or he can pursue a completely different career and ally himself with one of the other guilds in the game.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Release date PC North America known In: worldofrisen.de , December 14, 2011. Accessed on July 17, 2013.
  2. ↑ Release dates PC & PS3 / XBOX360 Europe In: computerbild.de , April 24, 2012. Accessed on July 17, 2013.
  3. ↑ Release date PS3 North America known. In: ps3center.net , June 30, 2012. Accessed July 17, 2013.
  4. ↑ Release date consoles North America In: ign.com , July 17, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  5. ↑ Risen 2. Deep Silver , accessed on May 27, 2019 (Japanese): "2013.02.28「 RISEN2 」本 日 発 売 !!"
  6. ↑ Risen 2: Dark Waters. In: Playasia. Play-Asia.com, accessed on May 27, 2019 : "Official Release Date Feb 28, 2013"
  7. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Deep Silver, Piranha Bytes (ed.): Risen 2: Dark Waters - Handbuch . Koch Media GmbH, Höfen 2012, p. 34 ( akamaihd.net [PDF; 7.6 MB ; accessed on September 16, 2019]).
  8. ↑ a b Daniel Graebner: Risen 2: Dark Waters. In: Gameswelt . September 6, 2011, accessed November 1, 2019 .
  9. ↑ Christian Blum: Speech styles in video games: Using the example of the German production Risen 2 . Diplomica Verlag, Hamburg 2012, ISBN 978-3-8428-8757-2 , p. 35 ( google.de [accessed on September 16, 2019]).
  10. ↑ Christian Blum: Speech styles in video games: Using the example of the German production Risen 2 . Diplomica Verlag, Hamburg 2012, ISBN 978-3-8428-8757-2 , p. 37–38 ( google.de [accessed on September 16, 2019]).
  11. ↑ Christian Blum: Speech styles in video games: Using the example of the German production Risen 2 . Diplomica Verlag, Hamburg 2012, ISBN 978-3-8428-8757-2 , p. 36–37 ( google.de [accessed on September 16, 2019]).
  12. ↑ Christian Blum: Speech styles in video games: Using the example of the German production Risen 2 . Diplomica Verlag, Hamburg 2012, ISBN 978-3-8428-8757-2 , p. 38 ( google.de [accessed on September 16, 2019]).
  13. ↑ The-Khoa Nguyen: Risen 2: Deep Silver introduces the contents of the Collector's Edition - including photos. In: PC Games . February 17, 2012, accessed December 24, 2019 .
  14. ↑ Sebastian Klix: Risen 2: Dark Waters - content of the special version "Stahlbart's Treasure" known. In: GameStar . March 6, 2012, accessed December 24, 2019 .
  15. ↑ The-Khoa Nguyen: Risen 2 - Dark Waters: Everything about the upcoming Risen successor - announcement, first facts, trailer. In: PC Games . Retrieved October 3, 2019 .
  16. ↑ Benjamin Braun: Risen 2 (360 / PS3) Test - With pirates, without wooden legs. In: Gamers Global. July 31, 2012, accessed September 22, 2019 .
  17. ↑ a b Jörg Luibl: Test (evaluation) to Risen 2: Dark Waters. In: 4players .de. April 27, 2012, Retrieved June 28, 2019 .
  18. ↑ Alexander Voigt: Test: Risen 2 ( Memento from March 5, 2016 in the Internet Archive ). In: areagames.de . Webedia Gaming GmbH, August 3, 2012, accessed on March 4, 2016.
  19. ↑ Oliver Haake: Risen 2: Test - Update: Implementations for Xbox 360 and PS3 with terrible technology. In: Buffed . July 31, 2012, accessed July 13, 2019 .
  20. ↑ a b Conclusion: Risen 2 - Dark Waters (PC). In: computerbild.de. Retrieved July 13, 2019 .
  21. ↑ a b Michael Graf: Risen 2: Dark Waters in the Test - The Gothic of the South Seas. In: Gamestar .de. April 23, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2019 .
  22. ↑ a b Andreas Philipp: Risen 2: Dark Waters: Why is the rum constantly running out? In: Gameswelt . April 25, 2012, Retrieved July 13, 2019 .
  23. ↑ a b Sebastian Thor: Risen 2: Dark Waters - Conclusion & Evaluation ( Memento from December 10, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) In: gamona.de . April 27, 2012, accessed July 13, 2019.
  24. ↑ a b Risen 2: Dark Waters - Review ( Memento from April 16, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) In: Looki , accessed on July 13, 2019.
  25. ↑ a b Peter Bathge: Risen 2-Test: An atmospherically dense role-playing game with simple fights and few bugs - now available in stores. In: pcgames.de . April 27, 2012, Retrieved June 28, 2019 .
  26. ↑ a b Linda Schult: Test Risen 2 - Dark Waters: The pirates conquer Gothic. In: Game Tips . April 27, 2012, accessed July 13, 2019 .
  27. ↑ a b Peter Bathge: Risen 2: Dark Waters in the test for PS3 and Xbox 360 - Atmospheric role-playing game with indisputable technology. In: Video Games Zone. July 31, 2012, accessed July 13, 2019 .
  28. ↑ Kevin VanOrd: Risen 2: Dark Waters Review . In: gamespot.com . CBS Interactive Inc., May 3, 2012, accessed March 4, 2016 .
  29. ↑ Charles Onyett: Risen 2: Dark Waters Review. In: IGN Entertainment . April 23, 2012, accessed July 13, 2019 .
  30. ↑ a b GameRankings : Average Windows rating , based on 29 articles. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  31. ↑ a b GameRankings : Average Xbox 360 rating , based on 11 articles. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  32. ↑ a b GameRankings : Average PS3 rating , based on 6 articles. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  33. ↑ a b Metacritic : Average rating of the Windows version , based on 51 articles. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  34. ↑ a b Metacritic : Average rating of the Xbox 360 version , based on 18 articles. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  35. ↑ a b Metacritic : Average rating of the PS3 version , based on 13 articles. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  36. ↑ RPC Fantasy Awards: The 2012 winners. In: GamersGlobal. May 10, 2012, accessed August 22, 2019 .
  37. ↑ The nominees have been chosen and the academy election begins! ( Memento from January 27, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) In: deutscherentwicklerpreis.de . Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  38. ↑ The winners of the German Developer Award from 2004 to 2019. In: deutscherentwicklerpreis.de. Retrieved July 13, 2019 .
  39. ↑ Andre Linken: Risen 2: Dark Waters - first delivery of a million copies planned. In: GameStar . August 26, 2011, accessed August 20, 2019 .
  40. ↑ Peter Bathge: Risen 3 - Titan Lords . In: Computec Media Group (Ed.): PC Games . No. 03/2014, February 26, 2014, p. 24.
  41. ↑ Risen 2: Dark Waters - Cover too bloody for the USA . In: IGN Germany. Webedia Gaming GmbH, March 29, 2012, accessed on March 4, 2016 .
  42. ↑ Risen 2: Darkwaters - Activation of DLC with a cheat code. In: IGN . IGN Entertainment, Inc, May 7, 2012, accessed May 27, 2019 .
  43. ↑ Official novel for Risen 2 - Dark Waters in stores since yesterday. In: worldofrisen.de. World of Risen, June 20, 2012, accessed June 7, 2019 .
  44. ↑ Steven Savile: Risen 2: Dark Waters . The official novel for the game bestseller. Panini Verlag , Stuttgart 2012, ISBN 978-3-8332-2442-3 (English: Risen 2: Dark Waters . Translated by Timothy Stahl).