Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

20 to 40 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Been there, done that"

Hm, a decent gaming experience, considering the lack of good PC rpg-s in the last years.

The game fails however to get a real replayability value, due to:

1. No real moral choices, no different endings!
2. No joinable factions
3. Very linear story with faded people, cliche personalities
4. No character customization

We can't have a good modern rpg that detaches itself from the "gorgeous graphics hack'n slash" sterotype without some moral choices...

It would be a welcome option to be able to finish the game without joining any faction, however that should be left as a more challenging route for experienced players (which could learn and craft their own armors for protection, etc). Factions that have a major influence in the game world are a crucial aspect of the true Gothic series...

More lively and story-explanatory cutscenes and some extra dialogues couldn't hurt and would serve the player better that than endless nature terrains for goalless roaming...

Since the nameless hero (Rhobar III :)) has already been left behind on his throne, why not add for the new series the option to customize your character with: gender, looks, etc? That would certainly make more people happy...

...

I really miss the old school Gothic atmosphere that Gothic 1 and 2 brought into the PC gaming world...
When you became part of a group and felt suddenly "somebody" in your new gleaming armor, when you punished the bullies that tormented you as a rookie, when you took a fight against a single scavenger very seriously, when you could lure some mobs to the camps and thus acquire some funny memories... O tempora...