One of the best franchishes going...
While I have heard some people complaining about bugs, I have not had and difficulty. It does like a speedy machine - I ended up setting things to 'Medium'.
If you like Gothic II you will LOVE this game. From the get go, I was emerged in the story and lost 8 hours of my life in a blink of an eye, the first night.
I am usually quite gifted at skimming through dialog without stopping to understand the story. I have it honed to an art. I actually found my self listening to the NPCs.
I enjoyed Oblivion, but it was too open ended for me. I ended up feeling like I was playing a bunch of mini games in the same world. So far in Gothic III, I am getting swept up in the story. It feels like you have actual impact in the world.
Combat is fun (and difficult as always) When you fight you feel like you have really struggled. It is much better than Gothic IIs control.
The magic is interesting. The great mystery of all RUNE magic disappearing puts in interesting spin on the wizard among us.
Well worth the $39.99